1.8 Petrol Whinning Sound

[stevejwalford]

I got in my car the other day and it starts and drives fine but there is a whinning sound coming from the engine. I am going to have my mechanic have a listen / look. 

So after some googling it suggested it could be the power steering fluid being low. I haven't taken the drivers side headlight out but I can see the tank and it appears pretty full of green fluid, although the tank could be stained I guess.

So a bit more info

• The sound is not as loud when the car is idling
• When I turn the steering wheel left and right the sound does not increase
• It makes the sound whether it is in or out of gear
• The sound is inaudible after 30MPH has been reached
• Sound comes from the drivers side of the engine where the alternator is located but this is also near to the tank for the power steering fluid.

So I have been watching some Youtube videos and I am kinda thinking it could be the alternator on the way out, what do you guys think?

 

 

[stevejwalford]

So I have done some testing with a digital volt meter.

• Before starting the car battery was at 12.2v
• After starting the car with nothing on the battery reads 14.2v
• After starting the car and switching everything on (heated seats, aircon, all lights and blowers on full) the battery reads 12v

Am I correct in thinking the voltage at the battery should always be 13v or above, even under load?

[unofix]

47 minutes ago, stevejwalford said:

• After starting the car with nothing on the battery reads 14.2v
• After starting the car and switching everything on (heated seats, aircon, all lights and blowers on full) the battery reads 12v

The alternator is fine, those voltages are normal for your car.

The whine could be:

• Water pump
• Alternator free wheeling pulley
• Air Con compressor
• Air Con compressor clutch assembly
• Power steering pump

Remove the drive belt and see if the noise stops. If it does then you know it is one of the items driven by the belt.

 

[stevejwalford]

On 2/17/2023 at 5:06 PM, unofix said:

The alternator is fine, those voltages are normal for your car.

The whine could be:

• Water pump
• Alternator free wheeling pulley
• Air Con compressor
• Air Con compressor clutch assembly
• Power steering pump

Remove the drive belt and see if the noise stops. If it does then you know it is one of the items driven by the belt.

 

Just to let you and others know it turned out to be the alternator. the bearings inside the alternator was the cause of the noise.