Car is whining.....

[xtremeskier97]

I know this is going to be a long shot without actually hearing it...but Im hoping SOMEONE has had this issue before.

First off...you'll should know that the sound is NOT present when not driving. Leaving it in park or neutral and slowly revving the engine does not reproduce the sound.

Basically, when Im driving, the whining coming from the front of the car gets higher as I accelerate, stays at a constant sound while staying at a steady speed, and lowers when slowing down. Like I said before, it does not reproduce the sound when in park or neutral.

Then timing belt is in need of replacement I know...but I would think that if it, or the tensioner, was making the sound, that it would do it in park/neutral while revving.

What Ive been leaning towards is either transmission (REALLY hope it isnt!) or CV joints.

Can ANYONE help me here? Im going to try to use my new digital camera (Canon SX100IS) to capture some video/sound so that you'll can hear it...just not sure if it will come through on the video.

Thanks for ANY help that you'll can provide!

[bigbird]

does it match revs or just speed?

[xtremeskier97]

Just matches speed.

I forgot to add that I can put the car in neutral while going any speed and the sound is still there...and will go down in pitch as the car slows from not pressing on the gas.

[Hajoca]

I am assuming that the previous description was coasting the car on the road, transmission in neutral.
If the sound is there only when in drive, does it make same sound in reverse?

Are there any foreign objects caught in the wheel wells, suspension, or under the car??

[Kep]

If the sound remains when in neutral and coasting I believe that the transmission is exonerated. I forget if it is called a dust cover or air foil in a 93 but there is a fairly large 1/2 plate looking piece of metal just inside of the calipers that can get bent into the rim and make a squeal.

Also, you might set the car up on jacks and see if the noise is still there. You might even be able to walk around the car and find it. Of course, be careful!

Kep

[xtremeskier97]

Ok...thanks for the suggestions guys! I will DEFINITELY put it up on jack stands and listen for the sound while my wife holds it at a certain RPM.

And yes..what I described above was getting up some speed and then putting the car in neutral and coasting. I could still hear the whine while I was coasting in neutral.

Id LOVE it if the transmission was exonerated! I can NOT afford to replace that right now..much less anything else. Money is REALLY tight right now. But putting it up on jackstands and trying to find the source of the sound is a great idea...and better still...it's FREE!

Thanks guys. Ill probably do this on saturday when I have the day off and Ill post back with results. In the mean time...if anyone has any other suggestions/comments...please post them!

Thanks again!

[94CoupeV6]

Could it be a wheel bearing or something?

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by 94CoupeV6

Could it be a wheel bearing or something?

hmmm...interesting. Anyone else think this could be it?

Thank you for the posts thus far!

[Novice_cardude]

A wheel bearing will generally be a grinding/groaning. It will reach a certain pitch and stay there, regardless of speed.

When you have the car on jack stands, grab the top of the tire in one hand, and the bottom of the tire in the other hand, and see if there's any up-and down play when you wiggle the wheel. This will tell you if the wheel bearings have movement.

I also have a whining noise, but it follows the engine RPM despite being in gear. Also it goes away after a little driving. I'm thinking my problem is either a noisy water pump or alternator bearings.

[94CoupeV6]

Well since it is getting louder with speed, it must be something with the wheels.

[PtBaller]

Should be the wheel bearing. I had the same problem except it was coming from the rear and I just replaced the wheel bearing.

[ItZtHaFuZzMaN]

I am currently dealing w/ a whining noise mine is produced bet 1100-2500 rpms. I think this is from the exhaust somewhere. It is indeed from the front of the car. 99le 4banger w/ 164k still running strong. does it disappear after you reach about 3000 rpms? how many miles have you racked up on your rig? when did this begin for you strange thing is mine began maybe like 2 wks after I had a mechanic replace my timing belt, seals, and all the accessory belts. just appeared all of a sudden. when I took it back to him to share his opinion he stated its from the exhaust not from the maintenance he performed. b/c I was thinking it might be from a belt that might be a bit over tightened.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by ItZtHaFuZzMaN

I am currently dealing w/ a whining noise mine is produced bet 1100-2500 rpms. I think this is from the exhaust somewhere. It is indeed from the front of the car. 99le 4banger w/ 164k still running strong. does it disappear after you reach about 3000 rpms? how many miles have you racked up on your rig? when did this begin for you strange thing is mine began maybe like 2 wks after I had a mechanic replace my timing belt, seals, and all the accessory belts. just appeared all of a sudden. when I took it back to him to share his opinion he stated its from the exhaust not from the maintenance he performed. b/c I was thinking it might be from a belt that might be a bit over tightened.

Mine is not from RPM...the faster the car goes...the higher it gets...when I slow down..it gets lower. Does not happen in neutral or park (at a stand still) and it doesnt change in pitch when coasting in neutral.

And my rig has over 327,xxx miles on it. Just started happening within the last couple weeks.

[davemac2]

My vote would be a front right wheel bearing at that mileage, especially if they have never been replaced.

dave mc

[xtremeskier97]

To my knowledge...they have never been replaced.