Engine noise

**Darkrider02** · 05-05-2011, 04:17 PM

My engine is whining as a step on the gas. Idk whats going on but I'm for sure its the engine. Car is a 02 z28 has lt gears cai. Always maintained. M6. What should I do? Should I be worried?

**cammed goat** · 05-05-2011, 04:20 PM

Did you check to see if it's a belt noise? Also, if you have a volt meter in the car, does it read normal or low at idle? Your alternator could be on its way out.

**Darkrider02** · 05-05-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Did you check to see if it's a belt noise? Also, if you have a volt meter in the car, does it read normal or low at idle? Your alternator could be on its way out.

the voltage seems to be ok but its somewhat low. The thing that worries me is that the oil pressure seems low at about 40 on idle

**cammed goat** · 05-05-2011, 05:29 PM

I could be wrong, but isn't 40 psi normal at idle?

**pajeff02** · 05-05-2011, 05:31 PM

40 psi at idle is just fine. Chances are you have a belt driven accessory, idler pulley or tensioner on the way out.

**Darkrider02** · 05-05-2011, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

40 psi at idle is just fine. Chances are you have a belt driven accessory, idler pulley or tensioner on the way out.

How would I know when over of those goes out? Would they be hard to replace? Are they expesnsive?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 05-05-2011, 07:34 PM

Best idea is to pop the hood with the engine running and listen by each pulley to see if you can pinpoint the noise. You can also use a long screw-driver as a stethoscope. Just be careful not to touch the pulley itself or the belt.

Another possibility could be your water pump.

Basically anything that turns and has bearings.

Does the noise get louder as you rev? Bad bearings going out would be louder (whine louder) as the pulley is turning faster.

**Darkrider02** · 05-05-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Best idea is to pop the hood with the engine running and listen by each pulley to see if you can pinpoint the noise. You can also use a long screw-driver as a stethoscope. Just be careful not to touch the pulley itself or the belt.

Another possibility could be your water pump.

Basically anything that turns and has bearings.

Does the noise get louder as you rev? Bad bearings going out would be louder (whine louder) as the pulley is turning faster.

Yes also I noticed that it mostly whines when the car gets hot

**cammed goat** · 05-06-2011, 06:00 AM

I'm thinking water pump.

***SMWS6TA*** · 05-06-2011, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Darkrider02

Yes also I noticed that it mostly whines when the car gets hot

based on this above post I'm thinking the same thing Cammed Goat is saying

Originally Posted by cammed goat

I'm thinking water pump.

Op, you will need to put the front in the air if possible or use a telescoping mirror to check this.

Look at the underside of the water pump. check to see if ANY coolant is leaking. It could be from around the gasket or the weep hole. Any leakage is bad and means that your water pump has not long to live.

Changing it is not hard and can be done at a home garage. You will have some coolant lost so be prepared with a drain pan. It is also a good time to change the T-stat if you haven't done so already.

Now if you have no leakage do what 35th-ANV-SS posted about checking the pulleys and tensioners.

**Spaz** · 05-06-2011, 11:08 AM

could be your alternator, water pump, power steering pump, ect etc...

check to make sure your PS resevouir is full...

does this happen only when the car is underload???

try standing infront of the car and pulling on the throttle cable to see if you can zero in on where the whine is coming from...

**Darkrider02** · 05-07-2011, 10:23 AM

I can see that my tensioner tends to move. The belt looks like its somewhat worn. I think iam going to change those 1st beforei change ther ps pump or the water pump.