I have a whining sound coming from my engine. It's a high pitch sound that isn't too loud but can be heard when the car is idle. As I start revving the engine it goes away when the rpms go up. I thought it was the power steering pump o rings. So I went ahead and replaced two of them. The one on top of the power steering pulley wheel and on the side of it. Also flushed out the steering fluid with new amsoil fluid. This is my second time flushing it out so the fluid is clean. There are no bubbles in the canister before and after the o ring change. What could this be??

Also the sound appears to be coming from the left side on the engine where all the belts are located. Timing belt, serpentine belts, water pump, timing belt tensioner, serpentine belt tensioner, thermostat, oil, transmission fluid have recently been replaced a few months ago.

 

The alternator or the water pump bearing can also generate that noise. Use a rubber hose or plastic about 1" in diameter and about 24" long place it onto each part and listen to the noise each part in question makes. You should be able to narrow it down yourself. Please be careful when you try to diagnose where the noise is coming from while engine is running. You know what's moving and what's not, keep away!

 

I would bet it ends up being your auto tensioner assembly...either the tensioner pulley or the idler pulley. They both come in one piece though, new. Had to replace it on my old base TL at around 40K and just did it on my new TL as it was starting to make the noise too.

 

I agree, if the belt is too tight it will cause the alternator and/or water pump bearings to wear prematurely. After you find the culprit you should see what caused it, like the belt tensioner assembly.

 

It's an auto tensioner, not like when you used to put the belt on and tighten down the alternator to determine the tension. It "shouldn't" be possible to be over tight.
I am saying I have a feeling the sound might be coming from one of the 2 pulleys on the auto tensioner.

 

Mine is making the same noise. My noise increases as the rpm gets higher. What is the part number for the auto tensioner? I've search delray website but couldn't find it, any help appreciated. Thanks, Sam

 

are you talking about the timing belt tensioner or serpentine belt tensioner?

 

Not the timing belt.

 

I was having a whine similar to a supercharger that rose with engine rpms. It ended up being the alternator. I'm glad the alternator began talking to me because if I didn't hear it, it could have failed and left me stranded. I used a long screw driver to pinpoint where the noise was coming from.

 

where did you insert the long screwdriver?
I actually bought a mechanic's stethoscope!

 

Haha! I used this guy's strategy:

 

Any updates?