Valkyrie

Lately I've bearing hearing this annoying whining sound at basically all times while driving, except when idling.

And maybe not a whining sound so much as simply the sound of something spinning.

There are other similar sounds that get worse depending on the level throttle.

Any ideas what causes this? It's engine speed related and not speed-related (it basically goes away if you put the clutch in and let it drop to idle).

I think one of my annoying rattle sounds is actually my hood...


But anyway part of the engine would have a high-pitched noise that's basically the same pitch throughout all the RPMs above 1500 or so, but gets louded with throttle?

Also, what would cause a thump when you shift or let off gas and get back on it if your diff mounts are fine (or seem to be fine)? I already checked them when I jacked up the rear end. I don't think it's actually backfiring and I seriously doubt a muffler is hitting anything.

I've also got a squeaky sound from the engine bay (that I think MAY or may not be the exhaust heat shield since it's not bolted down properly (broken off bolts on top). But what else might cause the engine to make sqeaking sounds when you give it throttle? And is there anything I could use to replace the exhaust shield (since it's a bad idea to not have one at all)?

I've noticed the rubbery popping sound that comes from the steering when it's cold out now seems to happen even when the car isn't moving... and it may be the belts (when they're cold) or the strut mounts.

TitosToy

if the "whining" noise is engine speed related have you checked your alt, ac/ps belts? it could be loose and that's a bad thing (especially if it's the alt belt)

Valkyrie

Last time they were pretty tight.

I don't think belts being lose would cause a whining sound (they're definately not slipping from what I can tell). Alt. or water pump (or PS) bearings seem more likely but I'm hoping it's just something metal loose... I'll get around to looking under the hood but I can never find the time (revving it to 3K with the hood up is not really something you can do past around 7 PM...).

Strangely my clutch seems to be letting out way later than it used to be (and to think that I adjusted it to let out fairly close to the floor). And sometimes its been grinding gears while parked and with the clutch in... I wonder WTF is wrong.
...I've also got rattles from my door trim (it's come loose) and from the right side of my dash (I thought it might have been a broken piece of demister panel but it's pretty loud... sounds like someone sucking from a nearly-empty McDonald's cup.

Valkyrie

As expected this very annoying whining sound is still going on...

And there's still a slightly worse whining sound at a certain level of throttle (but ONLY at that level of throttle).

I can't seem to pinpoint where the whining sound is coming from the engine bay. It seems to be coming somewhere from the front, in the middle? From the engine bay it sounds like the typical rotary engine whine, except higher pitched than it should be...

It doesn't seem to be coming out of my air relief silencer tube, though... I guess I'm gonna have to go block off my ACV just to make sure it's not coming from that (and to eliminate the annoying over-3800 buzzing)...which means I'll have to route the air pump air straight into the 6PI system (which requires some adjusting with aquarium regulators).

It could be anything... although I think it's probably an accessory, or the ACV.

I certainly hope it isn't the intake manifold or something (for whatever reason).

Innovation

iTrader: (1)

I've heard some bad whining from the throw-out bearing, since you mentioned clutch problems.

Valkyrie

My throw out bearing already makes a *different* noise

Plus I'm pretty sure this is coming from the front half of the engine.

Innovation

iTrader: (1)

How old is your water pump? And how about your pulleys for the P/S and A/C if you have them?

Valkyrie

I would say... old... but it hasn't had any cooling problems.

rx7 FC TII

iTrader: (3)

i have the same thing.......except it sounds like mine is coming from the back of the car......maybe its just an alabama thing..lol

arghx

iTrader: (3)

i think a worn out tranny could be making that noise.

Valkyrie

...and it would come from the accessory half of the engine?...

There's no doubt my tranny is worn out but it still works...for the time being.

Valkyrie

update:

I had the alternator tested off the engine and it didn't make any abnormal noises.

I've also eliminated the split air hose and ACV as possibilities, since I either unplugged or blocked them off and it still makes the noise. (the ACV only makes noise at high RPMs)

I spun the water pump without the belt and the bearings seemed fine as well. I also replaced all the belts (they were dry-rotted anyway).

Now it seems that this noise is a fluttering nose almost like what happens when you put a baseball card on a bicycle wheel, but not nearly as loud. It seems to be coming from the area around the alternator or the intake manifold, but I simply can't figure out what's causing it. It's also coming from the driver's side of the engine.

My intake is probably also causing part of this noise but it's been loud basically forever (may or may not have vacuum leaks)... it's the loudest noise the engines at idle, besides the exhaust.

I hope to find away to make it a bit quieter (it's a cone filter though).


My ONE theory I have is that it's caused by intake pulses, and is coming from a vacuum leak.