HELP PLEASE! Can't determine noise. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Raptor626 · 05-10-2011, 06:37 PM

So I've been reading a lot of threads that talk about a belt whine or whistling/chirping sound. Apparently the cause is either a mis aligned A/C or serpentine belt.

I am currently experiencing a very very faint whistle/chirping/metallic noise coming from the engine bay. I checked both belts and they seem just fine, alignment seems to be fine, everything is in it's correct track.

Then I fired up the A/C and still couldn't hear the whine. It is only noticeable (and barely at that) when inside the cabin.

So my question is: could it be a very small exhaust leak?

Also, my main belt whines very faintly, but not under acceleration. I thought this was normal due to the sheer size of the engine. Sounds like belts just working, but I wanna make sure of this too.

Btw, I have a 2011 L99

Thanks guys

coolman · 05-10-2011, 06:40 PM

Does it happen with the heat/Ac blower running? It could be that.

Raptor626 · 05-10-2011, 06:40 PM

nope, I tried that

Raptor626 · 05-10-2011, 06:40 PM

on full blast too LOL, and nothing

Raptor626 · 05-10-2011, 11:30 PM

So, um, anyone else?

ffrcobra_65 · 05-11-2011, 12:23 AM

Hard to diagnose noise on the internet but I bet there is no problem at all...just paranoia. Aside from making you spend money on mods, this is also another effect from reading threads/posts in a car forum......just because you read it in a car forum, you start to hear/feel and look for problems in your car where there isn't any. But if you are in doubt, take it to the dealer.

Raptor626 · 05-11-2011, 12:34 AM

Yes, this is very true. Probably the best advice I've gotten on the forums yet. But like you said, I'm probably just gonna take it to the dealer anyway. Goddam paranoia.

Thanks bro!

ffrcobra_65 · 05-11-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor626

Yes, this is very true. Probably the best advice I've gotten on the forums yet. But like you said, I'm probably just gonna take it to the dealer anyway. Goddam paranoia.

Thanks bro!

practice this. Do not read up on car problems UNLESS you suspect there is a problem with your car. When you start reading the car issues here, you will find yourself listening/looking/feeling for the same problems on your car and that will take away from your enjoyment and make you paranoid.

nancygrl · 05-11-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

practice this. Do not read up on car problems UNLESS you suspect there is a problem with your car. When you start reading the car issues here, you will find yourself listening/looking/feeling for the same problems on your car and that will take away from your enjoyment and make you paranoid.

Amen to that....I can relate. I've debunked a couple of issues I thought I was hearing. I still have the blower motor squeaking at low speed, right now it's intermittent but I will bring it to the dealer if/when it becomes a constant nuisance.

Raptor626 · 05-11-2011, 03:53 PM

I totally agree with you guys, HOWEVER, I started hearing this noise only when I got home and parked in my garage. I could hear it much better due to the resonance, though it was still very faint. I think I've determined that its not the A/C belt or compressor. The noise seems to be coming from the engine bay and it follows RPM increase only to about 1200 an then dissipates. Like I said it's a very faint sort of grinding noise (hard to explain)

Anyway, thanks guys. We'll see what my dealer says.

Raptor626 · 05-11-2011, 03:55 PM

Also, I've been hearing this since day one, which is why I thought it was normal. Then I read the threads on A/C belts failing, serpentine belts failing, noisy heater cores, and I started thinking.

Like you said though, hopefully it's just a case of paranoia lol

chandler · 05-13-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor626

So I've been reading a lot of threads that talk about a belt whine or whistling/chirping sound. Apparently the cause is either a mis aligned A/C or serpentine belt.

I am currently experiencing a very very faint whistle/chirping/metallic noise coming from the engine bay. I checked both belts and they seem just fine, alignment seems to be fine, everything is in it's correct track.

Then I fired up the A/C and still couldn't hear the whine. It is only noticeable (and barely at that) when inside the cabin.

So my question is: could it be a very small exhaust leak?

Also, my main belt whines very faintly, but not under acceleration. I thought this was normal due to the sheer size of the engine. Sounds like belts just working, but I wanna make sure of this too.

Btw, I have a 2011 L99

Thanks guys

If it the same as mine, you are not imagining this noise. It sounds exactly like the noise that I have. The whine/chirp/whistle origin is very hard to pinpoint. It is not a constant steady whine. To describe it, it sounds as if an engine part is rubbing on a frame part. With the rough idle, it creates this high pitchy erratic chirping that goes away when the engine smooths out with higher RPMs. To me it sounds like it coming from the clutch area. I have checked the belts/pulleys and they look fine but it doesn't sound any louder under the hood compared to in the car. Mine is definitely RPM related. Once the car is warm, it whines at idle. Bump the RPMs and it goes away.
Early on it was not consistent and the dealer could not hear it but now it is all the time at idle but another dealer could not hear it either. It will be interesting if your dealer can locate this gremlin. Best of luck to ya!

Raptor626 · 05-14-2011, 01:25 AM

YES! Dude, that is exactly what I'm hearing!! Word for word, it's the same. Like you said though, I have no goddam clue of where it's coming from. However, I will say this, mine doesn't occur as soon as I fire the engine, but rather a few secs later. This is why I didn't believe it was drivetrain related. With that said, I'm not a mechanic. Also, I'm still not a 100% sure that I should bring it to the dealer because I am genuinely afraid that they'll just **** more shit up rather than fix it.

Furthermore, a member from my area was kind enough to offer to meet up and compare engine sounds. So we'll see what happens with that.

The sound is like a bearing type noise, and does dissipate when you gas it. Definitely a very weird sound/dilemma because it doesn't seem to be affecting anything.

How many miles do you have on yours?

derklug · 05-14-2011, 01:38 AM

When I look for a noise on a belt, a little silicon spray is the answer. Give the first belt a SHORT squirt of silicon, and see if the noise changes. Then repeat with the other belt. Don't go nuts with the silicon, just a quick spritz to change the friction.

05-10-2011, 06:37 PM	#1
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	HELP PLEASE! Can't determine noise. So I've been reading a lot of threads that talk about a belt whine or whistling/chirping sound. Apparently the cause is either a mis aligned A/C or serpentine belt. I am currently experiencing a very very faint whistle/chirping/metallic noise coming from the engine bay. I checked both belts and they seem just fine, alignment seems to be fine, everything is in it's correct track. Then I fired up the A/C and still couldn't hear the whine. It is only noticeable (and barely at that) when inside the cabin. So my question is: could it be a very small exhaust leak? Also, my main belt whines very faintly, but not under acceleration. I thought this was normal due to the sheer size of the engine. Sounds like belts just working, but I wanna make sure of this too. Btw, I have a 2011 L99 Thanks guys

05-14-2011, 01:38 AM	#14
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	When I look for a noise on a belt, a little silicon spray is the answer. Give the first belt a SHORT squirt of silicon, and see if the noise changes. Then repeat with the other belt. Don't go nuts with the silicon, just a quick spritz to change the friction. __________________ The biggest mistakes in life come when you know exactly what you are doing.

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05-10-2011, 06:40 PM	#2
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	Does it happen with the heat/Ac blower running? It could be that.

05-10-2011, 11:30 PM	#5
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	So, um, anyone else?

05-11-2011, 12:23 AM	#6
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	Hard to diagnose noise on the internet but I bet there is no problem at all...just paranoia. Aside from making you spend money on mods, this is also another effect from reading threads/posts in a car forum......just because you read it in a car forum, you start to hear/feel and look for problems in your car where there isn't any. But if you are in doubt, take it to the dealer.

05-11-2011, 12:34 AM	#7
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	Yes, this is very true. Probably the best advice I've gotten on the forums yet. But like you said, I'm probably just gonna take it to the dealer anyway. Goddam paranoia. Thanks bro!

05-11-2011, 03:53 PM	#10
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	I totally agree with you guys, HOWEVER, I started hearing this noise only when I got home and parked in my garage. I could hear it much better due to the resonance, though it was still very faint. I think I've determined that its not the A/C belt or compressor. The noise seems to be coming from the engine bay and it follows RPM increase only to about 1200 an then dissipates. Like I said it's a very faint sort of grinding noise (hard to explain) Anyway, thanks guys. We'll see what my dealer says.

05-11-2011, 03:55 PM	#11
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	Also, I've been hearing this since day one, which is why I thought it was normal. Then I read the threads on A/C belts failing, serpentine belts failing, noisy heater cores, and I started thinking. Like you said though, hopefully it's just a case of paranoia lol

05-14-2011, 01:25 AM	#13
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 796	YES! Dude, that is exactly what I'm hearing!! Word for word, it's the same. Like you said though, I have no goddam clue of where it's coming from. However, I will say this, mine doesn't occur as soon as I fire the engine, but rather a few secs later. This is why I didn't believe it was drivetrain related. With that said, I'm not a mechanic. Also, I'm still not a 100% sure that I should bring it to the dealer because I am genuinely afraid that they'll just **** more shit up rather than fix it. Furthermore, a member from my area was kind enough to offer to meet up and compare engine sounds. So we'll see what happens with that. The sound is like a bearing type noise, and does dissipate when you gas it. Definitely a very weird sound/dilemma because it doesn't seem to be affecting anything. How many miles do you have on yours?