There's a whistling/howling coming from the drive belt area and I can't figure out what it is! I recently had my belts replaced and the mechanic snapped the belt tensioner pulley bolt and nut clear off and I didn't notice until I was driving around and the belts became slack and started squealing at startup, when I turned the wheel and when the A/C was on. I replaced the pulley and now no squeal, but the howling remains. It seems to vary when the car is in drive and I'm stepping on the gas (accelerating)...I hope its not my water pump...what do you think. BTW I also was forced to replace the camshaft POS which I believe my lovely mechanic cracked while providing my "preventative maintenance", but I don't this would have any affect.

 

You need a new mechanic, or just do **** yourself. It might be the tensioner pulley bearing.

 

Now that I've taken another listen to the swishing, I think it may be coming from my power steering pump. Anyone have any issues with this? I'm wondering if I replace the fluid which may be dirty with a turkey baster, that maybe I can get a cheap fix.

 

it probably wouldn't hurt to replace the fliud. i'd still check belts once again, anthing in that area that varies with RPM is usually belts.

 

first and foremost....find a new mechanic or better yet.....buy a haynes (if u dont have one alreddy) and do it urself....

 

I've read the Haynes and I have the manufacturer's service manual which are defintely comprehensive. I looked over the belts and the new pulley and they all look tight and right. I can't really pinpoint the "turbo-like", swooshing sound because it echos in the bay.

I do recall my father borrowing the car a few days ago and he mentioned that he refilled the ps fluid. Would putting a little non-dexron fluid cause my pump to start to fail over a 2-3 day period?

I bought my turkey baster last night, all I need is a sunny day.

If I decide to replace the ps pump how much do they run?