Engine High Pitch Whining

[Mango]

He All my 1989 bourbon has a high-pitched whine its intermittent on start up and driving at slower speeds fairly new water pump, alternator 2 years old,power steering pump two years old as the engine warms up seems to go away. On cold start with little acceleration when parked I can hear it I released throttle and it stops. Checked all my pulleys New belt I’m stumped

 

[fast 99]

Remove belt, noise still there? If gone likely belt misalignment, pulley bearing or water pump. Way we diagnose noises like that is with a stethoscope. HF has them for less than $10. Another possibility is a cavitating PS pump. If that's the case fluid might be foamy.

 

[Grit dog]

If it goes away quick, more difficult to diagnose, but to check belts/pullies, you can spray a little water on them while running. May be hard to track the exact pulley but can narrow down to which belt if it’s not a serpentine setup.

 

[fast 99]

Water would indicate a possible belt noise.

If this is a serpentine belt drive they do not like misalignment. Most of the time it's the PS pulley. Shaft should be flush with pulley.

If any "belt dressing" has been applied toss the belt in the garbage, clean all the pulleys with a wire brush and seal pick install a new quality belt.

 

[Edelbrock]

It might be your blower belt. But its normal for them to make a whining noise.

 

[Mango]

Hey, thanks for the responses. Started it up this morning to go to work. Nothing started driving a little bit could barely hear it. It was 28° question when changing a water pump should you pull off your thermostat and fill your block with coolant first and then go ahead and purchase. Thank you.

 

[Sad Sack]

Had whine issue similar to yours, was driving along and girlfriend says "you hear that whiney noise?", I said yeah, stopped the truck and told her to get out, problem solved.

 

[fast 99]

Just to be safe I always bleed the air out. Others here say it isn't necessary. Have seen too many engines air lock. It's not much more work, either take stat out or remove a hose if on intake.