I have something very similar on my V6. Like a whirring. I think it's some kind of emissions crap.

 

That sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

 

If it were an exhaust leak would it throw a CEL? (because mine didnt come on...)

 

My '99 has in the past made a sound I'd describe exactly as you did - a quiet whirring. Mine was low fluid in the power steering pump. Note that if that's what it is, you can't use just any old fluid. VW spec stuff only, baby!

 

I thought it was PS fluid too, but the level is fine. Unless there is a problem with the pump.

My worst (and admittedly paranoid) fear is that it is the water pump. Anyone know if that is what a bad water pump bearing sounds like?

 

My worst (and admittedly paranoid) fear is that it is the water pump. Anyone know if that is what a bad water pump bearing sounds like?

On the V6 it sounded like a squeak, which didn't necessaraly have a conistant pattern. Happened twice.
It was quiet as you described so it was countered by engine noise, however I wouldn't call it a "whir." And it didn't sound like anything in that video
Also, listening with the hood open, it can be actually harder to hear than in the car, but if you hear it is pretty quick to be located as somewhere in teh front of the engine, though without a stethiscope type thing its hard to tell exactly hwere. However, it was not in the back

 

It sounds like it is coming from towards the rear of the engine bay?
Could be the cam chain tensioner. This is a fairly common failure. Starts off with a little noise and over time [months or years] it gets louder and louder.

 

Yes, but lately it hasnt been as obvious to locate. It seemed pretty clearly toward the rear at first but the last few days it hasnt always (though it often has been) as loud when Im under the hood. All I know is, it isnt anywhere up top, and with the other engine noise, it is difficult to pinpoint.

If I had a mechanics stethoscope it would be easier to track. Unfortunately I have never seen one and imagine they are expensive.

 

didn't we alreayd find out at the gtg that a few of ya'll had bad combi valves?
could that possiby be it?

 

Sipes - any chance you have a mechanics stethoscope or can get access to one from school? I would like to try an actually pinpoint it. Funny - today it sounded a bit softer, higher and "wheezier".

 

yes, we do have them.
but unfortunately the use of this is highly limited as we're really only allowed to do work pertaining to our class, and Only when the course teacher is around to supervise.
i have an old 1950's oscilloscope if that'l help any! :lol:
more importantly, on my next trip to the tool store, i might just pick one of these up.
Xyro called me today about the infamous botomside clank and thought his tie rods were shot :lol: one would have deffinitely come in handy then!
turns out his tranny mount was shot, & knocked only when engine was torqued forward into drive because of the wheel torque resistance through the axles rocked the whole assembly.

 

For whatever it's worth, my car sounded very similar to that and it ended up being the power steering pump. Turns out someone used the wrong fluid in the pump before I got the car. Matter of fact I bought a brand new power steering pump today for $205.

 

Automotive Stethoscope

I purchased my automotive stethoscope at Auto Zone. ~$10. There are better ones out there, but it seems to work ok. Griots Garage has one for ~$35.

Hope this helps.

 

How good are the autozone versions? I may pick one up.

 

If you want to swing by one day let me know and I can take a listen. I really can't pick out a whirring noise on that video.

A long screwdriver to the ear works well as a stethoscope.

 

x2. that's what I've always used.

 

When I was young I was completely fascinated by oscilloscopes. My dad would occasionally go into work on the weekends and would set one up and I would toy with it while he did whatever.

Anyway I went to Autozone (where people are always doing SOMETHING, today a guy was installing new shocks in the parking lot) and got the $10 stethoscope. I poked around the engine bay, there were several points where I thought I could hear traces of a noise at the same pitch level, however having not used one before Im not sure how much is normal engine noise. I THOUGHT I could hear traces of it at the intake manifold, head, water pump and oil cooler, but it seemed the loudest at the alternator, though without the stethoscope it seemed to be further back. I didnt have anyone to help blip the throttle to make the pitch rise and fall, which wouldve made it easier asit gets a bit louder at about 1000-1200 rpm then goes away..

Paul - I have monday afternoon free but thats it until next weekend, dont know what your schedule is like.

 

stethoscope

You don't really need to buy one of these, they can help find noise sources but it really helps to be familiar with the normal sounds in the area you are listening in. All you need is a couple of feet of clean tubing. Hold one end up to your ear and the other end where you want to listen to. The stethoscope to buy has both earpices and a metal tip on the other end though, right? Obviously use common sense, ie be careful around moving fans, pump pully, hot turbo.

 

TB, accessory belts, waterpump, tensioner, roller, thermostat, and PCV valves have all been changed AND IT STILL MAKES THAT NOISE!!!! :banghead: only know it's louder!

Ugh...

 

Timing belt tensioner or accessory belt tensioner? That noise would annoy me too. A radiator fan support assembly went out on another members car not too long ago. I would suspect the acc belt tensioner or the fan support bearing. Both could be checked by running the car for a moment without the belt on. Good luck.

 

it was the timing belt tensioner. does the front end need to be put into service position to remove the acc belt?

 

??? timing belt tensioner? or accesory belt tensioner?

It make a huge difference.

If it's the timing belt tensioner DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE AT ALL until you get it fixed.

 

The acc belt can be removed without putting the car in service position, but it will be awkward to remove the tensioner assembly. It can be done however.

 

Hi Bill so you found it was the Timing belt tensioner? It made a lot of noise, it must be very bad to make this much noise, you were lucky to find it.

Can you post pics or vid of the culprit when done?

 

If it is the acc belt tensioner on my car, could this cause "catastrophic" failure? Im thinking I may have to suck it up, take it in to a shop and get a rental car for a couple days next week.

 

I give up, it's going in to the shop on Monday. The worst part is I have to pay the ridiculous 50-60 bucks a day for a rental from Enterprise. Hopefully it wont take more than a day to diagnose and fix. Hopefully it isn't the alternator.

Good thing I got a good deal on my TB change. :lol:

 

My car was making a very similar noise. I raplaced the vac lines, pcv valve, along with tbelt and dv. The noise is gone, but I'm sure you've already done all of these things. Mine was more notiable sitting in the drivers seat as opposed to standing over the engine. One thing you could try is get stethoscope and try and isolate the sound, sounds crazy, but it works.

 

So the shop called me today. I'm looking at around $400

Apparently, the sound was coming from the front, due to a bad bearing for a radiator fan that is inside a bracket, near the passenger side, and A/C compressor. The bearing isnt much but the job is mostly labor. It sounds like it could be pretty dangerous if the fan were to let go while driving. Not sure what exactly it would take out, but at that rate of speed it would almost take out something.

 

WOW! My car is SO incredibly quiet now. I cannot describe what a relief it is. Between the new bearing and the new tires I do not remember the last time my car made so little noise! Apparently this is not a common failure but the shop said they have been seeing more of them lately and just did another one recently.

The work order shows "Replace fan clutch bearing support", part number 058115136