Name that noise
06-21-2016, 12:25 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
Maybe the PS pump or alternator. See if the whine worsens when turning the wheels or with the lights & A/C on. Definitive test is running the car with both belts off.
Last edited by mclasser; 06-21-2016 at 12:27 PM.
06-21-2016, 02:39 PM
#7
Start with removing the AC belt since it's easier to remove than the PS belt. If it still makes a noise then continue with the PS belt.
06-21-2016, 06:28 PM
#8
[youtube]_OQ7Ew8U-kI[\youtube]
https://youtu.be/_OQ7Ew8U-kI
https://youtu.be/_OQ7Ew8U-kI
Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-22-2016 at 12:34 PM.
06-21-2016, 10:41 PM
#10
You've pretty much narrowed it down to three components. Give each one a spin and see how they feel. The tensioner pulley should spin smoothly with no vibration, chattering or side to side movement.
06-22-2016, 07:58 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
From the second vid, my money's on a bad idler pulley. Eric the Car Guy did a video of an old Altima with a bad IP; whined like yours.
06-22-2016, 09:29 AM
#14
I have to make a clarification just to be clear and avoid any confusion.
An "idler" pulley is a fixed pulley that only guides the belt. A "tensioner" pulley is either sprung or cranked into position to tighten the belt.
Out cars don't have an idler pulley. We're all referring to the tensioner pulley here.
An "idler" pulley is a fixed pulley that only guides the belt. A "tensioner" pulley is either sprung or cranked into position to tighten the belt.
Out cars don't have an idler pulley. We're all referring to the tensioner pulley here.
06-22-2016, 05:21 PM
#15
I have to make a clarification just to be clear and avoid any confusion.
An "idler" pulley is a fixed pulley that only guides the belt. A "tensioner" pulley is either sprung or cranked into position to tighten the belt.
Out cars don't have an idler pulley. We're all referring to the tensioner pulley here.
An "idler" pulley is a fixed pulley that only guides the belt. A "tensioner" pulley is either sprung or cranked into position to tighten the belt.
Out cars don't have an idler pulley. We're all referring to the tensioner pulley here.
06-22-2016, 06:53 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,215
I'm sorry if I missed what you posted.
So you took the power belt off and a new pulley bearing and that's not it.
Now you're going to remove the alt belt and see what that does?
I wonder what the winning could be if it's not the alt.
I think that actually is a small child at the end of the vid. I thought it was the engine at first. 
So you took the power belt off and a new pulley bearing and that's not it.
Now you're going to remove the alt belt and see what that does?
I wonder what the winning could be if it's not the alt.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-24-2016 at 07:34 AM.
06-23-2016, 03:00 AM
#17
I removed the belt that connects the alt, AC compressor and crank pulley, and the noise goes away. I replaced the belt tensioner pulley since it was the cheapest and oldest on the car. Noise is still there. Next l am going to replace the alternator.
06-23-2016, 04:25 AM
#18
Before you replace any more parts get an automotive stethoscope. You really should have one anyway. Touch the alternator and AC to see if the noise amplifies. It would have paid for itself several times over just on the tensioner. Trust me, they really work.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html
06-23-2016, 03:28 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 972
This whine gets louder as the engine revs.
It sounds like pulley misalignment but wouldn't that result in a squeal/chirp?
Maybe it's just as simple as belts too tight. Did you set them to 30lbs/rib?
Consider taking the time to check the pulley alignment.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-24-2016 at 07:35 AM.
06-23-2016, 08:31 PM
#20
There is no "pulley alignment" on these cars so I'm not sure what that would sound like. The components bolt in place with no room for adjustment or alignment.
06-24-2016, 09:09 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
Before jumping to expensive conclusions, keep it simple. A cheap stethescope will isolate a bad accessory item, which is most likely OP's issue. The water pumps last a very long time on these cars.
Last edited by mclasser; 06-24-2016 at 09:13 AM.
06-24-2016, 12:34 PM
#24
06-24-2016, 12:38 PM
#25
How dare you question a self-proclaimed a33 tech that uses Firestone for car repairs!
06-25-2016, 06:18 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 972
It sounds like the famous p/s pump noise associated with bleeding the p/s system but the main drive belt was removed and the sound went away? How can you remove the alternator belt and run the engine? Off of another battery?
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
06-25-2016, 07:07 AM
#28
It sounds like the famous p/s pump noise associated with bleeding the p/s system but the main drive belt was removed and the sound went away? How can you remove the alternator belt and run the engine? Off of another battery?
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
06-25-2016, 10:52 AM
#29
It sounds like the famous p/s pump noise associated with bleeding the p/s system but the main drive belt was removed and the sound went away? How can you remove the alternator belt and run the engine? Off of another battery?
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
The p/s pump buzz has not yet been illustrated too well here on the org.
Any car can be run and driven without the alternator as long as the battery holds out. Without headlights that could be quite a while. How does a "tech" who offers so much advice not know something so basic?
06-25-2016, 11:46 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 972
Well the alternator bearing is only 30 bucks. You can just replace that if it's an alternator. It can be damaged by a belt being overtightened.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
Like Maxiiiboy said I'd get the scope and pinpoint the exact location of the noise then find the reason.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
Like Maxiiiboy said I'd get the scope and pinpoint the exact location of the noise then find the reason.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
06-25-2016, 02:45 PM
#31
Well the alternator bearing is only 30 bucks. You can just replace that if it's an alternator. It can be damaged by a belt being overtightened.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
Like Maxiiiboy said I'd get the scope and pinpoint the exact location of the noise then find the reason.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
Like Maxiiiboy said I'd get the scope and pinpoint the exact location of the noise then find the reason.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
06-25-2016, 03:54 PM
#32
Well the alternator bearing is only 30 bucks. You can just replace that if it's an alternator. It can be damaged by a belt being overtightened.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
The P/S pump takes on a whining noise and yes I have it now but it's beginning to break up. But that's another thread.
So the P/S hose is very similar to the AC low pressure/high pressure hose. if the P/S pump whines then the Compressor could whine from a similar reasons.
The hoses have a braided hose wrapped in rubber. The braids may be to absorb air bubbles but I'm not an engineer I dunno.
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