2buickbob Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Hey folks: I've been on vacation for about 3 weeks and the car starts right up. With almost 260,000 miles on a 1992 Series I 3800 V6, it runs beautifully and shifts beautifully. HOWEVER, in the last couple of days there has been a wheezing/whining sound from the engine bay (there is NO supercharger). It is related to rpms and will do it whether in drive, park or neutral, so it is apparently not related to the gears. I am thinking: (1) water pump starting to go - but that is more chirpy sounding, and there is no high temp nor coolant loss replaced once (2) power steering pump starting to go - but it is full and the correct color original (3) alternator starting to go - but there are no funny readings of the volt gauge replaced oce (4) idler pully starting to go original (5) A/C compressor clutch starting to go - I've replaced one on my 84 Cutlass once and that was more of a rubbing sound original (6) a small, weird exhaust leak - but it's not a groan original but exhaust donut at joinup with manifold replaced once Any ideas on how to diagnose this one? It drives just fine but I don't know how much longer until this problem becomes more pronounced or if it will give more noticeable symptoms. Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Take the belt off, and turn each pulley by hand... If that is causing the noise, you will be able to pinpoint which accessory it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buickbob Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Take the belt off, and turn each pulley by hand... If that is causing the noise, you will be able to pinpoint which accessory it is... Thanks. I don't have the wherewithal to do that...can do diagnostics (somewhat) but don't have the tools to do the mechanics. Can I start with a stethoscope you buy at Pep Boys for $11? Is it a major problem if an assembly seizes up or is there a "default" when this happens? Looking at your sig, it looks like you got the MC! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Thank ya!! It's easy to get the belt off.. Just take a ratchet, and there is a spot in the tensioner to put it.. Stick it there, and pull upwards on it to take off the tension.. Then just slip off the belt off... To put it back on, just raise up again and slip the belt back on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 what he said. I would not be surprised it the a/c or alternator and making the whining noise due to a bearing having gone bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 what he said. I would not be surprised it the a/c or alternator and making the whining noise due to a bearing having gone bad. Probably... Does it stop if you turn the AC off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buickbob Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 what he said. I would not be surprised it the a/c or alternator and making the whining noise due to a bearing having gone bad. Probably... Does it stop if you turn the AC off? No A/C involvement. If it had to be the A/C compressor or the alternator, I'd pick alternator, though. LOL. That one's right on top and a fairly quick fix on this model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 If its not a/c related, then it is more than likely the alternator (but could still possibly be the wp or ps pump)... Have you tried spinning the pulleys by hand yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buickbob Posted July 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 If its not a/c related, then it is more than likely the alternator (but could still possibly be the wp or ps pump)... Have you tried spinning the pulleys by hand yet? I'll try this weekend...since I have to "dress up" to go to work, I usually reserve getting under the hood for the weekend. Let's see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 what he said. I would not be surprised it the a/c or alternator and making the whining noise due to a bearing having gone bad. Probably... Does it stop if you turn the AC off? No A/C involvement. If it had to be the A/C compressor or the alternator, I'd pick alternator, though. LOL. That one's right on top and a fairly quick fix on this model. The bearing for the pulley is always turning whether the compressor is on or off. it was bad and whiny on my 95 3100 sedan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 what he said. I would not be surprised it the a/c or alternator and making the whining noise due to a bearing having gone bad. Probably... Does it stop if you turn the AC off? No A/C involvement. If it had to be the A/C compressor or the alternator, I'd pick alternator, though. LOL. That one's right on top and a fairly quick fix on this model. The bearing for the pulley is always turning whether the compressor is on or off. it was bad and whiny on my 95 3100 sedan... Hm.. On my 95 3100 the compressor makes noise like crazy if its engaged.. If you turn the ac off, the noise stops... Must be something other than a bearing wrong with mine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRONDOG442 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Heres a step-by-step guide to solve your problem: 1. List Buick on Craigslist for $500 or 4 bags of pizza rolls 2. Sell Buick for 3 bags of pizza rolls (the guy who bought it was a shrewd negotiator) 3. Start searching local ads for an Intrigue (the car you originally wanted anyway) 4. Locate Intrigue equipped with LX-5 5. Purchase Intrigue for 4 bags of Pizza Rolls 6. Do smokey burnouts all the way to the bank (or Costco whichever is closer) 7. Drag Race every car on the road (whether they want to or not) 8. Basque in glory from self proclaimed victories 9. Tell all non LX-5 owners how inferior they are 10. Live happily ever after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanamaZ34 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Heres a step-by-step guide to solve your problem: 1. List Buick on Craigslist for $500 or 4 bags of pizza rolls 2. Sell Buick for 3 bags of pizza rolls (the guy who bought it was a shrewd negotiator) 3. Start searching local ads for an Intrigue (the car you originally wanted anyway) 4. Locate Intrigue equipped with LX-5 5. Purchase Intrigue for 4 bags of Pizza Rolls 6. Do smokey burnouts all the way to the bank (or Costco whichever is closer) 7. Drag Race every car on the road (whether they want to or not) 8. Basque in glory from self proclaimed victories 9. Tell all non LX-5 owners how inferior they are 10. Live happily ever after Never really understood drag racing before ........... but that "basque" explains the whole thing and also why I'd never drag race ...... never been one for wearing women's underwear myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRONDOG442 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 bask whoops, basque makes it even funnier though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanamaZ34 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 bask whoops, basque makes it even funnier though! Especially in context .......... the mental images I was having of that drag race were right out of Monty Python! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRONDOG442 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Youd need to consault the ministry of silly baquing for that ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 bask whoops, basque makes it even funnier though! Especially in context .......... the mental images I was having of that drag race were right out of Monty Python! The thing you don't quite yet know about Rob, his stories are even more insane, crazier, and completely true than anything that was every produced by Monty Python!! Anyways, back on topic guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP4U2NV Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 take a large screw driver (long) and start engine and put the handle on your ear the other end on your list of items. One will make the same sound heard with the other ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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