Engine whines when rpms increase.

**Mtrhd329** · 09-09-2012, 09:45 AM

I have a 5.3l that when is revved in park it make a whine like noise. I am thinking maybe the tensioner might be bad? How can i check this.

**cammed goat** · 09-09-2012, 05:49 PM

You can use either a long screwdriver or socket extension as a stethoscope and hold it against the pulley bracket or power steering pump as those tend to whine.

**tatertot91** · 09-09-2012, 06:39 PM

Power steering is known to whine. Does it change when you turn the wheel?
Check the fluid level

**Mtrhd329** · 09-09-2012, 06:46 PM

Ps fluid level is good i just filled that and worked the steering back and forth to work out bubbles and then topped it off. It sounds almost like the alternator but i will have to try to make a listening device and see for sure.
This truck doesnt drive as it is not registered yet. I just start it and take it around the block every now and again while i am building it. Would an alternator bearing go bad from just not getting used?

**tatertot91** · 09-09-2012, 07:48 PM

It could. You could try removing the belt and spinning everything by hand. Could you maybe get a video of it?

**cammed goat** · 09-11-2012, 05:54 PM

In my previous car, I had to return an alternator after a month for defect. The bearing had seized. Do you smell burning plastic or rubber when the truck is running?

**Mtrhd329** · 09-15-2012, 07:57 AM

My wife says she smells burning plastic or rubber. I cant smell much anymore after the burn pits.
I will get her to try and sniff it out. Was there any visuals of the bearing being bad? Does it start to break up or crack or something

**cammed goat** · 09-15-2012, 03:34 PM

When the alt bearing went on mine, I smelled burning plastic and rubber. I opened my hood with the engine running and since the alt was on top of the motor, the sound was right there. I also confirmed it when I got home and pulled the belt off the alt pulley and the pulley was seized.

**kingls1** · 09-17-2012, 02:20 PM

Your sound could be coming from the tension pulley, had the same sound in my trailblazer it drove me crazy thinking it was alt, power steering pump took the belt lose and spun the pulleys could not hear anything from alt,ps so I ordered a pulley was less than $20 less than 10min fixed it, my neighbors started same problem fixed him up too, bearing goes in pulley...good luck