Whining noise?

2006 Sonata GLS V6 AND 2007 Entourage. Over the last two to three months
(maybe a bit longer on the Sonata) both vehicles have developed a whining
noise coming from the engine. It synchs with the RPM's, getting louder as
they rise. It's not the tranny, as I can do it at a standstill in P.

What I am wondering is this the sound that the timing tensioner makes when
it is having problems?

With it starting on both vehicles at nearly the same time (about 15,000
miles difference between them), I did a little more checking than just the
engine RPM's. I thought maybe something with the air filter/housing (I've
had mice before on past vehicles). But I can't find anything out of the
ordinary.

Eric

 

It's unlikely the same problem developed in 2 different vehicles at
the same time. Is your wife with you when you hear the whining noise?
Try driving without your wife and see if you still hear whining when
she's not in the vehicle.

 

ROFLOL. Hey, good one. Actually, I usually can't hear the engine whine
over her. So no, I hear it when she is NOT with me. It's getting worse
too. People outside my car have asked me on a few occasions recently what
that whine is. I tell them it's a supercharger

Eric

 

And as a P.S., I just read through the TSB's on the HMA site and it would
seem that both engines use the same tensioners. So it is possible to have
the same noise I would imagine. They didn't start at the same EXACT time
either.

Eric

 

The serpentine belt is usually one of the first places to look for whining
noises Eric. Have you checked that yet?

 

Yes. Thanks, Mike. It does seem to be near the firewall side of the
serpentine belt, but the belt has the proper tension on it (or very close
to it) and I don't see anything visually wrong with the belt. That's on
the Sonata. I haven't focused on the Entourage too much yet.

Eric

 

I'll hazard a guess that it's the drive belt idler pulley. If you've eve
heard the whine from a Ford power steering pump, it sounds nearl
identical. To check, pry the plastic cover off the center of the pulley
Then start the engine and probe the nut with a long screwdriver or simila
instrument, while pressing your ear on the other end.

The timing chain looseness caused by tensioner ratchet failure makes
rattling noise that occurs on initial start (after the vehicle sits lon
enough for oil pressure to subside) and lasts for a few seconds

 

Thanks, HT. Just did that and you hit the nail on the head. At least on
the Sonata. Waiting until the wife gets home to check the Entourage, but
the sound is so similar I'd give it a 99% chance.

So, is there some adjustment I can make myself to avoid making two trips to
the dealer? Or does it need to be replaced?

Thanks again to you and Mike.

Eric

 

Noises come from things like bearings that are not perfect. Even if a home
fix takes care of it for now, how about after warranty on a very cold night,
far from home if it decides to freeze and toss a belt?

 

Good advice Ed, but I was thinking more of a permanent repair, like re-
packing or replacing the bearings or pulley. OTOH, I could just open a can
of worms, and why bother while I am under warranty.

Thanks,
Eric

 

There's nothing serviceable on this pulley. If you tried, you'd probabl
break something. Only reasonable choice is to replace the pulley. Hav
the dealer do it under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Sorry about the tw
trips

 

Hey, nothing to be sorry about!! I bought the cars partly because of the
warranty, so I'm certainly not upset about that. It's only a minor
inconvienece. I appreciate the help with diagnosing it before I possibly
spent an extra day at the dealer doing it for me.

Eric