AntzCro

Hey guys,

So recently i've noticed a whining noise whilst driving my car.
It is very audible whilst travelling up to about 35-40mph.
You'll see what i mean by the video.
When I Accelerate/decelerate, the noise heightens/depends its pitch respectively up until about 50-60mph.The A/C Isn't turned on. So any ideas ?

Any help in nailing down what the issue is would be great

p.s It may be a little hard to hear so turn the volume up !

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkEts...ature=youtu.be

speedkar9

I think my Solara does this but its not as high pitched. It also has the same 1MZ-FE engine. Not exactly sure what it is, but its mostly under light acceleration or coasting, like your video.

AntzCro

Yeah same engine. It's just really annoying because it only started happening recently and I have absolutely no clue what it is. All four tyres are new. I've replaced the front bearing on both sides and it's still the same..

AntzCro

Any help / insight would be greatly appreciated.

MDfive21

you should take it to a lexus specialist who can do a stethoscope diagnostic on each part to zero in on the problem. it may or may not be what i describe below.

having said that, i just bought a 97 es300. i knew i would be spending some money on deferred maint, so the following repairs were not unexpected.

it had a leaky power steering pump so i had that and the aging timing belt replaced at the same time. when i got my car back from my usual mechanic (he's a good all arounder, but not great), i noticed the whining noise. he said it sounded normal, but i thought it was louder than it should be.

so i took it to a lexus specialist and he found that the alternator was on it's last leg and whining so we replaced that but i still had some, although not as much whining. so i took it back and he said that the power steering pump was making the noise. there's not much to do but replace it with a new denso part, rather than the re-manufactured PS pump my usual mechanic put in. but even that may not completely quiet the car.

Oro

I really can't hear anything in that video clearly enough to even guess. With a 1/2 ton of machinery and insulation between you and the noise, it's hard to pin it down.

If you could hear it with the hood open and someone else revving it, that could help locate it and make it audible. There are quite a number of bearings, pulleys, idlers, etc. that can make a whine - and other things, too.

MDfive21

OP does the noise increase as you turn the wheel farther, so the PS pump works harder?

lostape45

What Oro said. I thought of: power steering pump, alternator, water pump, or timing belt/serpentine idler pulleys. Check when the car is idling with the hood open. Then pull the throttle cable to rev the engine and listen for the whining then.

Also check for if it is only when the car is in drive. Check neutral while driving and park when at rest. A whining transmission while in drive could be telling you it's on it's way out.

AntzCro

So I have tested it.
It only happens when the car is in drive / neutral and in motion. When I turn it doesn't make much of a difference at all. When i get home from university i'll open up the hood and check for the sound again because as i said it is only audible when I'm in drive/neutral and I'm travelling in motion. Will keep you guys posted.