Power steering or ? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

REDSOXTICKET · 09-25-2011, 02:10 PM

The car is 2001 V6

There is a low sounding faint howling noise thats sounds like ooooooooooh

Let me give you some more information and order of events

The alternator is new installed about a year ago along with the belt that drive the AC and alternator. I doubt this is the source of the sound.

Fasr forward, last week a noticed that howling sound. It occurs intermitingly whiile driving at a steady rpm. The rpm can be at any value but it occurs as long as the rpm is steady. The noise immediately stops when I let up on the gas or accelerate. I did some tests when the howling occurs, again maintaing a "steady" rpm then turning on the AC but the noise still remainds, then I turned on the heat, head lights but still the noise remains. Again as mentioned above it stops when I let up on the gas or accelerate even for the slightest movement differential of the gas petal.

I then had a "timing belt kit,water pump and power steering belt replaced". The car has 200,000 miles so it needed to be done.

The sound still remains.

I flushed and bleed the power steering unit.

I can pull over, open the hood and simulate the problem as if I was driving. I maintain a "steady rpm" then the howling occurs. I notice the noise coming from the lowe part of the engine. I think it could be the power steering because that and the AC unit is in that area, but it is somwhat difficult because of the limited space to place your ear clost to.

Note that the sound does not occur or begin when turning left or right. If I am driving straight on the highway as a test I turn to the left or right the sound doe not chane or get lounder, it only stops by de accelerating or accelerating.

Could this be a power steering early stage problem. ?

It doe not make any sound when I turn the wheels. If it did I would say for sure it is the power steering but since it don't (no yet) I am not to sure.

REDSOXTICKET · 01-07-2012, 02:36 PM

Found the problem.

The charcoal canister is howling from the purge hose

BrightExplorer · 01-12-2012, 09:08 AM

That is the exact thing that happens on my 00' ...

No one has been able to tell me what the deal was... lol.

I was hesitant to think about the Power Steering since it wasn't when I was turning, just when I would shift into gear and maintained any sort of RPM for more than 3 seconds... Every gear all the way to 5th... except in 5th I have a whistle...