Engine whine on z34 monte

[fourizza]

I have a 98 monte carlo z34 with the 3.8 engine. In the past months Ive notice that the car has been whining at low speeds or sitting in park or neutral and giving it revs. Ive searched the forums and notice most of the time its the alterntor, water pump or power steering pump. Which is what im hoping for because I really cant afford a $1000+ transmission repair being a poor game artist looking for a job. Some things Ive notice is at high speeds or crusing the whineing sound is pretty much not there, also when the engine heats up the sound soften a bit. This morning I started up the car put it in neutral and reved it a bit, you could hear the whine pretty good. I then took it out for a 10 min drive, put it in neutral again and reved it, the whine was still there but a bit more quiet than first start up. Ive checked the transmission oil and its filled to the max, red in color and smells like oil. The car shift good, theres no hard shifting or failing to shift into gears, going in and out of overdrive works fine. A couple of weeks ago I brought it to a chevy dealership that do free inspections, not sure if they check out the transmission but they told me I had to replace the water pump, power stearing pump, timing cover gasket, oil pan gasket. They didnt say anything about the transmission or anything else but im also not sure if they checked it. There is a transmission shop down the street from me thats got some good reviews and they do free inspections so I might take it down there later today. I really love this car and hope its something simple like the water pump. Tell me what you think!

[95 vert]

Take the accessory belt off and run it (don't run it too long). If the noise is gone, you know where to look. You can spin pulleys by hand to try to narrow it down to the one causing the noise.

[fourizza]

  95 vert said:

Take the accessory belt off and run it (don't run it too long). If the noise is gone, you know where to look. You can spin pulleys by hand to try to narrow it down to the one causing the noise.

 

I saw that when searching the forums, Ill give it a try over the weekend

[Radnsmash]

check vac lines and intake assembly for any loose fittings

Edited April 27, 2012 by Radnsmash

[AL]

Sounds to me like a power steering pump... Why did the shop say to replace it?

[fourizza]

  AL said:

Sounds to me like a power steering pump... Why did the shop say to replace it?

 

Thats what Im thinking, it seems to get louder when turning and accelerating but not much of a whine when moving in a straight line. Also the dealer didnt tell me why I needed to replace it. I think they want my money more than anything else, charging $100 a hour