Tech Advice Requested: whooshing noise under hood / light throttle

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

I’ve changed the serpentine belt recently and I’m flummoxed to think that it needs to be changed yet again.

This week at stop signs and traffic lights I heard a high pitched whooshing noise and, of course, thought it was some fool’s car next to me that didn’t maintain his car. But then I gave the Red Dragon (my 1LE) a little gas to get moving and the high pitched whooshing sound become more pronounced. It was ME! Whoosh whoosh whoosh ...

When I got home last night I sprayed from CRC Belt Conditioner on the belts and pull wheels and the high pitched noise is gone, however I can still “hear” that it doesn’t sound what I call normal. Instead of whoosh whoosh whoosh the sound is a bit muted and more wuhhh wuhhh wuhhh but not something most people would notice.

Do I just change the serpentine belt again? Give it some time? Take it to a shop? Do I track it like this?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions requested, team!

Thanks in advance,
—CRT


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[GONIF]

Take a good look at the belt , take it off and check the tensioner and idler pulls . Then check the alternator . Then check the ac compressor and power steering pump.

[Synner]

Belt conditioner is liquid belt slipper. Don't use it. I would check tensioner and the bearings in accessory drive. What GONIF said.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Thanks fellas. How do you check the ac compressor and steering pump? I’ve had no end of trouble with the ac compressor. I’m on my fourth AC unit.

[wakespeak]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

Thanks fellas. How do you check the ac compressor and steering pump? I’ve had no end of trouble with the ac compressor. I’m on my fourth AC unit.

Fourth unit wow. Being in SF are you running it occasionally to keep everything lubricated? I run mine always, just turn up the temp. Keeps the humidity down.

[Synner]

If its burning up then the compressor oil level is likely off. I doubt it would be over/under charged that many times. Pull the a/c belt off, if the noise goes away that's it. Realize its a one time use stretch to fit unit though so a $40 test.

Steering pump doesn't have a bearing so if its acting up you would normally feel it in how the turning feels. Swap the fluid out if its been a while, I boiled the stock fluid tracking it, as that could make it feel odd too. Alternator, water pump, idler, tensioner are suspects without hearing the noise myself.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Thanks, All.

No, it’s not that I’m using the AC all that much. Something broke once upon a time and the shop that was fixing the AC couldn’t get the new one installed correctly after several attempts. I think they changed just part of the AC system vs. all the components and there could’ve been metal still in there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Well, it’s the AC after all. I pulled the serpentine belt and inspected the tensioner. Then I got a hose and held one end up to my ear and probed the various parts of the engine. Surely enough the chirping sound was coming from the AC area. So I shot it with CRC and boom! The sound went away.

The shop that’s replaced my AC can’t seem to get it right. I’m going to contact the owner, again, tomorrow.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Interesting. Changed the AC belt with a new belt. Problem appears to be resolved. Unbelievably simple.

[Synner]

My guess is they reused the belt which they shouldn't and it was therefore overstretched from being a 1-time use belt stretched twice. Did they charge you for a new one on the last service?