I’ve searched all over the forum and have not been able to find anyone with this exact issue. I have a 3G TL with 215,000 miles, 3.2 - 6 cyl. I have no check engine light warning at all. The car is new to me, so I don’t have all the history. It recently started a whining noise near the pulleys and serpentine belt. Through all the wonderful posts on this forum and other sources,I felt that the sound was identical to the alternator going bad. I actually bought an alternator and was about to install it when I thought to unplug the alternator while the car was running, the noise did not stop. I think t can his indicates that it’s not the alternator. Am I correct? So I investigated further and determined that the sound was very loud from the wheel well behind the right front tire. I pulled off the plastic panel in the wheel well and I am almost positive the sound is coming from the lowest large pulley. Is this the crank pulley? Could it be the oil pump going bad? Or is it the auto tensioner? I intend to take off the belt today to see if that affects the sound at all. But I would appreciate any advice.
I’ll also attach this video taken from the wheel well area where you can clearly hear the sound.

 

Some additional information: I am familiar with the sound of a squealing belt and this is not it. I also sprayed the belt with some water but it had no effect on the sound.
The sound is not affected by turning the wheels left and right, so I don’t think it’s the power steering pump.
The sound is not present until about three or four minutes after start up. It does seem to increase with revs, to a point. It is not affected by the speed of the car.

 

I would personally start with a auto stethoscope, and listen to which pulley is making the loudest noise.

 

Also, just found out that the timing belt and serpentine belt were replaced 15,000 miles ago.

 

thanks for that advice. I did a version of that with a very long screwdriver, but was unable to reach every pulley. Also, that large pulley on the bottom which I think is the crank pulley, has a center that spins. So I’m not sure where I would apply a listening device. Any suggestions?

 

Is this the sound of the crank shaft pulley and the harmonic balancer separating?

 

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What you're describing sounds like the A/C compressor that has a mechanisim that does what you're describing. I'll attach a picture with the compressor highlighted. To the left of the A/C compressor is the crankshaft pulley.

 

How does the crankshaft pulley look when the engine is not running? Can you share a picture of that?

 

Sorry for the delay. Had to wait for better weather to get out and look at it again. Thank you for the diagram with the AC compressor labeled. That helps a lot. Attached are pictures showing the crank pulley, the AC compressor, and I think the idler pulley. Nothing seems amiss with any of them. I do notice that the AC compressor pulley looks newer than the other two I was able to find out that this car head timing belt kit done 15k miles ago by a reputable mechanic.
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In this video, I’m trying to wiggle the idler pulley. Is this enough play to consider it bad and make the problem noise?

 

I was able to put a screwdriver stethoscope onto the place where the oil filter attaches and that is definitely where the sound is coming from. Does anyone know if that is the oil pump going bad or something else?

 

Just curious, you are sure the timing belt & supporting components were replaced?
I only ask because the crank bolt does not look like it has been touched in years? Maybe it's just because of the rust development, over the last 15K, from salty roads?

In addition, it does look like the power steering pump belt (yellow) has been replaced as well as the whole ac compressor (red).

A/C Compressor - 2006 Acura TL 4 Door BASE (NAVIGATION) KA 5AT (acurapartswarehouse.com)

 

I agree, it does look like it hasn’t been touched. My father in law owned the car. He’s not a car guy but he is very religious about maintenance. I spoke to his long time mechanic and they read me a list of all that was done exactly at the 200k in 2018. I can only assume they’re being truthful.
But the sound is definitely coming from oil filter adapter. Wondering if the oil pressure switches mounted on that could be the cause of the sound. I’m not losing any noticeable oil and no warning light.

 

Also I am in Ohio so the is plenty of salt on the roads here.

 

Reading up on this issue is making me think it might be VTEC solenoid or switch or plunger making the noise.
anyone have any experience with this?

 

I have not personally, but I would attempt to start the car with the belt off and see if the sound is still there. Also looks to be an oil lea, possibly oil pump/pan seals or maybe leaking from the valve covers down.

 

Will do. Thanks for noticing that. I look into it.

 

^^ THIS ^^ will tell you almost definitively if it's an accessory related to the serpentine belt (crank pulley, AC compressor, PS pump, alternator) or further behind the crank pulley.

If the whining doesn't go away with the belt removed, it's most likely related to something on/in the oil pump, and since whining is usually related to something moving/spinning, there's nothing moving inside the oil filter/adapter, Vtec solenoid, pressure sensor, etc. Or at least nothing that moves consistent with the speed of the engine. The only thing in that area that spins is the rotor inside the the oil pump,

 

The sound remains without the belt on.
I could hear the sound through the screwdriver stethoscope when I applied it to the oil filter adapter.

Isn’t there some kind of plunger inside the oil filter adapter? Could that be worn out? Could the solenoid or sensor going bad cause the sound?

 

I don't think I've seen those ever being replaced due to a whining noise though... and those sensors/switchs should trigger a CEL if they were bad.. I'm kind of leaning towards a failing water pump or a timing belt pulley, but that's just my opinion.

 

That makes sense. I think I’m taking it into the mechanic that did the previous work next week and will see what he finds. I think this will take someone more experienced than myself. Thanks for your help though.

 

Thank you to everyone who helped out here. I think it’s time to go to the professional and stop trying to figure it out myself. I’ll report back later with what he finds.

 

AC compressor

 

Why would you even suggest that?

 

Check out this post. I started it and at the very end you will see what a crankshaft pulley looks like when it separates the inner and outer rings.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...embly-1000393/

Mine wasn't squeaking full time. It was only at startup, but your problem sounds like it could be the crankshaft pulley starting to tell you it needs changing.