Hello everyone. first time posting on this board.

Just a kudos to everyone for all the good information on all vehicles cover. great info.



Here's my problem:

There is a loud whining noise comming from around the firewall area of the vehicle. It doesn't happen when the car is cold, but after it heats up it emits a loud whine.

Here's what I've done to the vehicle after purchasing:

New Alternator, Belt, new exhaust system. Granted, the muffler shop let me know there was a slight manifold leak. I plan on getting that done ASAP.


Other than that, I couldn't do too much since the sound started happening after I got the new exhaust put on. I literally went from the shop to work and heard the noise on my lunch break.

Any ideas? Someone mentioned the manifold here at work, but I think that would emit a hiss, not a whine.




1989 Camaro, Iroc-z 5.7ltr
Needs paint, T-tops, rear window seal, new driver seat.

 

Blower motor?

Is it the driver's side or pass side? Up high? Down low? Anything you can do that affects it in any way?

 

inside or outside of the car?

 

It's definately under the hood, low drivers side.

The sound is consistant wether the car is in drive, park, neutral, etc.

I attempted to rev the engine a bit to see if the sound gets a higher pitch, but it doesn't.. same noise.

Even tried to gun it a bit on the highway, but the difference I got was dirty looks from a Mustang driver.

 

hmm i wonder if maybe u might have a leak in the AIR injection tubes. if u listen when the car is heating up, does the sound just start immediatly. or does it gradualy get louder? i also wonder if it can be the tranny..

 

The tranny shifts pretty smooth. It was replaced 10,000 miles ago, and the car sat for 3 months until I purchased it. Paperwork is a lovely thing, unless it's forged


Anyway, it happens immediately, not gradually. The car heats up, I drive it a bit, then wham, the noise starts up.

Btw, I really do appreciate your expertise and help. It's really saving me some bucks, and helps alot.

Btw, I haven't really looked, but if there is a paypal tip jar, I would gladly tip the site bi-weekly

 

Power steering pumps will emit a very difinitive whine if they are dry or on their way out. I say check the power steering.

 

I second the power steering pump. It's happened to me before. Check the fluid level in the pump.

I just realized you said the sound doesn't change as you rev the car. If it were the ps pump, I would think the pitch would change with rpm.

 

Exactly.. it doesn't change. I just went outside on my 15 minute break and started the car up and drove it a little bit.. did not emit the noise.. the car is still cold... but it happens when the vehicle is warm. Here's the rundown:

>Loud whine from under the hood, near the firewall, driverside.
>>Happens only when the car is warmed up.
>>>Switching gears, neutral, park does not change the noise.
>>>>Revving the engine does not make the noise a higher pitch or lower it.
>>>>>annoying the hell out of me.

Alternator and Belt replaced, new exhaust 3" pipe, magnaflow dualies.

Too bad I don't have a ball-gag for the noise.

 

Fuel pump, I'm not sure where the stock pump is but my EFI's pump wines and I can hear it when I turn the key.(exauast overpowers the noise, so I don't heare it with the car running)

 

I was kinda liking Breathment's idea about the AIR tubes, but the AIR tubes blow air into the manifolds when the engine is cold and then divert the air to the catalyic converter when the engine reaches operating temperature. Now I just thought of something that sounds like a really stupid idea, but I'm just throwing out an idea. Does it sound more like an airy whistle or a mechanical whine? How do your brakes work? The brake booster is located right up in the driver's side corner of the fire wall. I would imagine it would have vaccuum at all times, but vaccuum routing changes to several places once the car reaches operating temperature. Is it possible you have a leaky vaccuum line that is whistling? I'm just havign problems trying to visualize anything else near the firewall on the driver side that could make noise constantly after the car warms up. Can you tell if it is coming more from the top or underneath the car? This sounds silly, but you could also try using the hose off of a shop vac and use it like a stethoscope to try and pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

 

89,

Don't overlook the power brake booster. Once the valving starts to leak through a bit, they can emit a high pitched while, squeal, or whistle. You may have another issue with a vacuum leak if the noise/pitch doesn't change with RPM.

I have had a "whining noise" problem in my car as well, but only in the passenger side in front, and only when Mrs. Vader is with me in the car going sideways. Better check the seat springs and bolsters, eh? Maybe a little duct tape in the right place would fix it?

 

Hey guys, thanks for the good information on my car.

The brakes work fine, a master cylinder installed a few months ago also. I could definately get the brake booster checked, and to a reply about what the whine noise sounds like, it's a mechanical whine.

On my day off I'm going to get the hoses checked, and price out a brake booster, power steering pump, and getting the fuel pump and air injection checked out. Might as well also get an alignment done, and do a tune up. Also redo the hoses.

I need some T-tops though, badly. Both of mine are cracked all to hell. Would you guys recommend a shop for this or possibly, have any to sell? Also looking for a decent priced MP3 player

 

Well guys, sorry for making your gears creak in your head (I can smell some of the smoke from some of you also, hehe.)

Here's the real problem. I was able to actually listen to the car and not rush.. had the hood open and peeked around as the car was running.

The noise is comming from around the front of the engine, and it's louder at the front of the car. Honestly, it sounds like a pully. (I hope so)

It's a mechanical whine/squeak and definately consistant. Could this possibly be the culprit?

 

I know my other car had that problem . I thought it was a loose belt , but it wasnt. i bought some multi pupose oil (3 in1 oil) at Wal Mart it has like a telescopic spout on it and I started up my car aimed and put a little oil on the pulley and havent heard it since. Try that and see if that helps you.

 

sounds a lot like the power steering pump.. did you check the fluid level as a few people recommended??

 

i still think its the AIR system. if the sound just immediatly starts once the car is warmed up. if he has a leak in the pipe going to the cat then this very will can be a problem..

 

All fluid levels are normal, no change from when I checked the fluids after purchasing the car to right now.. well, cept gas

Other than that, I'll get it tested Breathment, thanks guys. also im gonna lube up that pully (har har. )

 

how soon after u start the engine (when cold) does the noise start?

 

It's immediately now, not only when it gets warm outside..