My engine all of a sudden started making a whining noise all the time that seriously sounds like a vacuum motor. Only codes that pop up are O2 sensor codes. Drives perfect but the sound is so vicious I am afraid to drive it. I've been an avid parts changer for a long time and never heard anything like it from one of my vehicles. Switching gears has never effect and it does get louder will more throttle. Not high pitched like a pulley. Any thoughts?

Oh yeah. 01 Max 5 speed. No engine mods.

 

Maybe it is an air/vacuum leak. Check the 2 flexible couplings between the air cleaner and the throttle body. They do crack with old age. Best to take them off to inspect them.

 

Sounds like failed chain tensioners to me and chain noise, unless you have replaced those recently.

 

I think I know what you mean. Does it only sound like that at low speeds?

 

What about the alternator? Mine made a whine when it needed repair, but it didn't sound THAT loud like a vacuum motor but maybe they indeed can get that bad, idk.

 

-- or -- A/C clutch bearing.

 

Not any bearing or alternator noise I have ever heard. I did look for a vacuum leak and couldn't find/hear one. It's there at all speeds, does increase in intensity slightly as the engine goes up. If the clutch is depressed there is no change. It's really not a whine in the traditional sense.

 

most likey the alternator bearings, my car had a noise like that until i changed the alternator ( it failed) the noise was so bad it drowned out my exaust leak. i realy swore it was my ps pump but i was wrong.

 

I’ve got a similar noise that sounds like an electric motor, but it’s only at low speeds when I’m turning. That leads me to believe it’s somethin related to the P/S pump/rack.

 

Mine is all the time. My air tube cracked a bit but the noise is from the other side. It's so awful that the car is not drivable. I'm putting in some Tein coilovers as such I'll need an alignment so I'm going to drop it at the dealer for that. They messed up my sunroof so they owe some warranty work. If your guy's suggestions don't lead me to the cause, they'll figure out. Thanks so far. I've found other things so keep the suggestions coming.

 

Use a mechanics stethoscope and start probing around, very very carefully since the car is running.

After lots of trial and error when I was looking for my noise i finally took a super long screwdriver to my alternator and my ear since I didn't have a stethoscope. The noise was so obvious i felt stupid that I didn't immediately try that method of finding the noise. 20 seconds and my noise was located.