The car: 2000 Maxima
The issue: Abnormal sound from the engine. It sounds like its got a supercharger (whine).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW6PR...eature=related

My guess/answer is that the AC Compressor bearing is on its way out.

What are your thoughts?

 

Could be the A/c compressor, or the alternator or the belt tensioner pulley.

 

use the screwdriver trick.

 

And what is this screwdriver trick you speak of?

 

the butt of the screw driver to your ear the point on anything its like a stethiscope helps pinpoint noises or issues

 

use a big & long (hehe) screwdriver, place one end of the screwdriver touching to the suspected noise location such as the alternator, ac compressor, or idler pulley (Be careful not to touch any moving part). Put your ear on the other end of the screwdriver and you can hear the noise. The closer you are the the source of the problem, the louder it'll sound.

 

I'll take Alternators for $100 please...

 

Hows your power steering fluid? Sounds kinda like a pump. Remove the belts, turn each acc by hand to check for bearing feel. Start engine without belts to rule out engine noise.

 

Sounds like the AC compressor bearing to me.

 

if it was a PS problem wouldnt it be pretty obvious?

 

Sounds like ps pump on its way out...or ac

 

Thank you.

And thank you.

The alternator was replaced a few months ago with a new one.

Steering fluid is normal. The belts are new. I've also changed the the AC compressor but with a used one.

 

01, same sound, just started. I hope you are still on here, need help with this.

 

yup.

or you could also start it have a buddy turn the wheel back and forth to see if the pitch changes drastically you'll know right away by the sound if its the p/s pump

nissans are notorious for p/s leaks