Is it common for the timing chain (belt?) to whine real loud in tune with the RPM's? I have an 88 max with 140k. Just bought it 5k ago and I know the chain was replaced at 70k. There's a loud whining noise coming from either the timing chain, alternator, or a/c compressor. Can't tell which one. Car runs perfect.

 

Well, first off, you've got a timing belt, not a chain. As for the whine, it could be that it's your timing belt, it could also be one of the accessory belts, or it could be one of the accessories or pulleys that the belts are attached to (though more likely it's just a belt).

I'd definitely get that timing belt replaced though, as well as the tensioner. Nissan recommends that you change them every 60K miles and while you may be able to get more miles out of it, you really start playing with fire. Once that belt or tensioner break, your engine is nothing more than an oversized paper weight. The car will run perfectly fine right up until it breaks, there's no warning. You might as well replace the other belts while you're at it too, they're really cheap and since they're already replacing the t-belt, there shouldn't be any additional labor costs. And chances are if it is one of the accessory belts that is whining, it's probably on its last leg anyway.

-C-

 

Usually when it wines your power steering fluid is either low or your pump is going out. Check your power steering fluid. Ive had that happen and my power steering fluid was low. It shouldnt be your timing belt. When My tensioner to the timing belt went out I heard a chirping noise. But wen it whines like that with the rpms check your power steering fluid level and pump.

 

Is it common for the power steering pump to whine even if it works just fine? My power steering is perfect. No problems at all. And if its the power steering it'll usually the whine when I use the steering, right? Because it's not doing that now. It just whines real loud with the RPM's. Regardless of what else the car is doing. It's loud. Not really like a belt whine either. Those are more like squeals. I just can't tell what this noise is. But it's driving me nuts.

 

Hey, yeah, my Oldsmobile was doing the same thing not long ago. Couldn't have been the t-belt, that was new. I put a power steering system conditioner by Lucas in (drain out as much as you can from the resovoir first)and within about a hundred miles it was gone. And, if you have 70K on that belt,get a new one on asap. F-ing Cutlass threw the belt with no warning in the middle of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Not a fun walk, and had to drive the MG well into December in Wisconsin. Live and learn from my mistakes

 

I had a simular problem with my 85 maxima. The squealing was like a belt squealing, and the car ran fine. I could not figure out what it was. I decided it must be the timing belt. Well, it was not the timing belt exactly. Turns out, the timing belt tensioner seized. The belt had been squealing against the tensioner. Luckily it locked in a positon, and did not fall apart. There were bearings all over the timing belt case area. Once we took it off, set it on the ground, the remaining bearings went all over. From what you have described, it kind of sounds like the tensioner. I would change the timing belt and tensioner right away, before it is too late.