Ok guys ive done some research on here but haven’t found anything that helps so maybe ill ask everyone in general so that I can get some opinions please.

Well, I have had my car for about a year and a half now with about 17500 miles all driven by me. This would be the second winter I have driven the car and things have started to change a little with the engine noise. I really did not notice this until my dad, a 22 year used car wholesaler/dealership owner, noticed one night when he took my car out that the engine sounded like "crap". He pretty much came home and said the cars under warranty go take it in, something is wrong with the engine. At first I kind of was offended but after listening I kind of see what he is talking about. Keep in mind this guy has driven and heard just about every car out there, in almost every condition. The engine at startup has a distinguished diesel like sound in the background, which I noticed from day one and many have written this off as typical for our engines, thus so have I. But what is drowning the diesel sound out is an electronic winding up type noise. This is while the car is in park and at around 2.5rpm, and if I push on the gas while in park the sound increases like as if a generator is winding up (my best description sorry). This is also noticeable while the car is put in drive and accelerating. I have tested this in both warm and cold temps and it’s the same thing. I do not recall this sound from when I had the car new, but im surprised that I didn’t notice this myself. But since it’s been pointed out I can’t avoid it and it’s driving me nuts. I hope some of you may help, FYI: I have no engine mods, but I will be getting a viper 791 system installed on November 4th so I hope this does not cause any issues taking it to the stealership. But overall do any of you guys know what this could be if anything? Or am I just losing my mind? Thanks and sorry for the long post.

 

I have a high pitched whining noise when the engine revs (both in park and under light acceleration). I found that if I turned off the AC, it went away. I talked to the dealership about it before my warranty expired and they heard it but couldn't find it (they said that it could be "any of a thousand different vaccum hoses"...). They made a note of it and said that if it got worse, they'd fix it for free even if the warranty expired.

See if it goes away when the AC is turned off if you can. Others have also heard this noise so I fear it may not be an uncommon problem. I've also noticed that when my AC kicks on, my engine is slowing down a lot more than it used to, so I'm wondering if the bearings on the AC compressor are shot? Anyway, based on your description I thought it might be a similiar noise?

 

alternator pulley bearing? or an accessory pulley of some type..? is the sound more pronounced at lower and midrange RPM? try taking along screwdriver or metal bar of some type, and hold your ear against one end while touching the other end to different surfaces in the engine bay...

i had a very similar sound in my old car, turned out to be the alt. I'd take care of it soon, before you're stuck somewhere with a dead battery and no way to charge it..

 

I wish i could say it was as easy as that, but everytime i have heard this sound the A/C was never on, i tend not to ever keep it on because of gas prices. But thanks for you input.

 

You know the alternator is not a bad suggestion, i hope to see the dealer soon and that i will suggest the alternator as a possible item for them to check. My dad thinks its a bearing and he knows alot of people at the nissan stealerships service shops so i hope they will look over the viper system im going to be putting in soon.

Thanks guys

 

I've had the same sound since day one. Its a whirring-whining noise. As the revs increase, so does the pitch of the noise. Mine does it with or without the A/C on. Do fuel injectors make a noise? If anyone gets a definitive answer, let us know.

 

wow thats crazy, i heard the EXACT same sound yesterday as i stopped at a toll , but just shrugged it off, i wonder what it is...luckily im still under warranty.

 

I would drop the car at the dealer first thing in the morning. Tell them you want due diligence since you think the engine is coming apart. I would make sure that the words 'sounds like a diesel/knocking' can be seen on the work order (just in case something does happen later).

From the front of the car, the solid lifters normally make a small clicking noise. If one or many shims are out of specs, it could kinda sound like a diesel. That would be normal wear and you pay for that. If your dad is right about the bearing then get it fixed and sell it. The engine break-in period was probably ignored and the engine abused.

I hope its something simple like the alternator or power steering.