Grinding / Whining Noise

[Wess]

I've searched on this topic and found that the noise I'm hearing can be one of three things: p/s pump, alternator, or the tranny pump, but I'm not sure which one could be causing my issue.

What I've noticed latley as the title suggests, is a grinding / whining sound at higher rpms, particularly when the engine is cold. The sound is more audible when driving and at the top of each gear. I have about 89K on the clock and the tranny was rebuilt at about 83K. Alternator is the original, as well as the p/s pump.

All my fluids check out ok, and pretty sure the p/s is not the cause, as I've turned the wheel lock to lock without out any influence on the noise. With the tranny in neutral and the engine rev'd I notice the sound more on the driver's side than the passenger side, which leads be to believe it’s not the alternator.

I'm thinking my tranny is the culprit here but am confused why the noise would continue while in neutral. Would the pump pressure increase while in neutral, or could this possibly be the torque converter? I appreciate your help! Thanks!

 

[SHOspazz92]

I just went through this in my 95 MTX. Unfortunently because you have a serpentine belt on your car its harder to narrow down if its the alternator. While it could be your transmission my bet is that its the bearings failing in the alternator. However, I could be wrong and I generally am.

-Sam

 

[stephen newberg]

I would also be inclined to guess the alternator bearings.

pax, smn

 

[shoshirtsandhat]

Take your belt off and start the car and listen if the noise is gone or not

 

[stangeater]

Could be the water pump on the way out, but that would seem like it would grind all the time, and not just in the higher rpms. A lot of times they have a grinding sound before they even start to leak.....

 

[Wess]

I'm hoping that it's the alternator, but wouldn't the sound be more audible on the passnger side of the engine bay?

 

[SHOZ123]

You haven't taken the belt off yet have you?

 

[Wess]

You haven't taken the belt off yet have you?

I did, and now little bits of the engine are scattered around my garage. Should I be worried about this?

What's your take on my issue Paul? Alternator?

 

[SHOZ123]

After taking the belt off did you start the car? Was the noise still there?

 

[Wess]

After taking the belt off did you start the car? Was the noise still there?

Paul,
I have not yet, no.

 

[SHOZ123]

Well this will positively rule out the alternator if the noise is still there. No harm will come to the engine by running without the passenger side belt.