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Technical High-pitched whining sound

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Technical High-pitched whining sound

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Reanswolf

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A really odd one, and I just can't fathom what it is as soon as I hit 55-60mph. Nor can the garage though I don't know if they took it for a run as I actually suggested (the only way to hear the sound).


No lights come on, and it seems to operate perfectly well despite the sound. The sound comes from the front right and is easily heard when driving in the drivers seat, but much less easily in the front passengers seat.


The whining sound only kicks in once I hit 55-60-mph but then can be heard constantly until I reduce speed under 55, so it can last for a couple of hours if I am on a motorway.


I have even changed a tyre as I thought it might be related to tyre wear. But no, its still occurs.


It definitely seems to increase in pitch and whining sound (i.e the note gets higher in pitch) with increased speed, and then reduces in pitch with a reduction in speed.


Only options / reasons I can think of, bearing in mind the above points are the following: -


1) Something silly like a piece of paper stuck in an air vent (can't see inside them).
2) Some sort of belt whining increasingly in pitch with speed.
3) Some sort of bearing that is worn down making the sound (not very technical theory I know :)- ).


Sorry, a very odd one, I'm not expecting any responses to this one :)-. I'm just worried that some belt may be about to snap or something is under duress and I can cause real damage, OR it might be something very silly and trivial, though I doubt it.
 
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It will likely be option 2 or 3 or 2 and 3, if you don’t know when the belts where last changed it’s probably wise to get them done.

You can get a situation where a bearing is worn or tight and causes the belt to slip continuously once it gets to a point. Best way to tell would be to see if the whining noise appears in lower gears at lower speeds If wait till much later to change gear. Accelerate in 2/3/4th gear up to 4-5k rpm and see if the noise appears
 
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AndyRKett said:
It will likely be option 2 or 3 or 2 and 3, if you don’t know when the belts where last changed it’s probably wise to get them done.

You can get a situation where a bearing is worn or tight and causes the belt to slip continuously once it gets to a point. Best way to tell would be to see if the whining noise appears in lower gears at lower speeds If wait till much later to change gear. Accelerate in 2/3/4th gear up to 4-5k rpm and see if the noise appears
Click to expand...

Hi Andy

Thanks for response, but it never appears at lower speeds. Only once I reach 55-60mph.

Do you or anyone else know which belt sits just in front of the steering wheel, within the engine? As I say its hard to hear it when you are in the front passenger seat, so its obviously on the drivers side of the engine.
 
Reanswolf said:
Hi Andy

Thanks for response, but it never appears at lower speeds. Only once I reach 55-60mph.

Do you or anyone else know which belt sits just in front of the steering wheel, within the engine? As I say its hard to hear it when you are in the front passenger seat, so its obviously on the drivers side of the engine.
Click to expand...

Hi.

A belt should be having an easy life at that speed (rpm)

I would anticipate a different issue..even a rubbing brake will make quite a similar noise.. had this on our panda.

Where are you based.. the sound shouldnt be that hard to pinpoint..

Just need a methodical approach ;)

Wind whistle?
 
varesecrazy said:
Hi.

A belt should be having an easy life at that speed (rpm)

I would anticipate a different issue..even a rubbing brake will make quite a similar noise.. had this on our panda.

Where are you based.. the sound shouldnt be that hard to pinpoint..

Just need a methodical approach ;)

Wind whistle?
Click to expand...

It could just be 'wind-whistle' interestingly. This is why I lurch between worrying about it being nothing, or something potentially serious.
 
Reanswolf said:
A really odd one, and I just can't fathom what it is as soon as I hit 55-60mph. Nor can the garage though I don't know if they took it for a run as I actually suggested (the only way to hear the sound).


No lights come on, and it seems to operate perfectly well despite the sound. The sound comes from the front right and is easily heard when driving in the drivers seat, but much less easily in the front passengers seat.


The whining sound only kicks in once I hit 55-60-mph but then can be heard constantly until I reduce speed under 55, so it can last for a couple of hours if I am on a motorway.


I have even changed a tyre as I thought it might be related to tyre wear. But no, its still occurs.


It definitely seems to increase in pitch and whining sound (i.e the note gets higher in pitch) with increased speed, and then reduces in pitch with a reduction in speed.


Only options / reasons I can think of, bearing in mind the above points are the following: -


1) Something silly like a piece of paper stuck in an air vent (can't see inside them).
2) Some sort of belt whining increasingly in pitch with speed.
3) Some sort of bearing that is worn down making the sound (not very technical theory I know :)- ).


Sorry, a very odd one, I'm not expecting any responses to this one :)-. I'm just worried that some belt may be about to snap or something is under duress and I can cause real damage, OR it might be something very silly and trivial, though I doubt it.
Click to expand...

Years ago I had a screaming loud whine on very cold start ups. Not one garage could solve it. 4 years later on changing the cam belt and water pump the sound went away instantly - probably a bearing. You could try and find a rolling road where you could take it up to speed and investigate under the bonnet.
 
fiatpunt0 said:
Years ago I had a screaming loud whine on very cold start ups. Not one garage could solve it. 4 years later on changing the cam belt and water pump the sound went away instantly - probably a bearing. You could try and find a rolling road where you could take it up to speed and investigate under the bonnet.
Click to expand...

Garages with a rolling road might be the simple solution.
 
fiatpunt0 said:
Years ago I had a screaming loud whine on very cold start ups. Not one garage could solve it. 4 years later on changing the cam belt and water pump the sound went away instantly - probably a bearing. You could try and find a rolling road where you could take it up to speed and investigate under the bonnet.
Click to expand...



My Panda has this exact issue. By coincidence I had only just bought it (last week) and wanted to get the cam belt and water pump done. The water pump was the issue and the noise disappeared immediately.
I was all prepared to replace the alternator/belt to chase the noise!

Hope you get it sorted
 
Gman88667733 said:
My Panda has this exact issue. By coincidence I had only just bought it (last week) and wanted to get the cam belt and water pump done. The water pump was the issue and the noise disappeared immediately.
I was all prepared to replace the alternator/belt to chase the noise!

Hope you get it sorted
Click to expand...

Engine rpm should produce that in any gear..

As suggested earlier.. get it investigated..

Don't just guess.
 
Ok.

Looking at your post history youve had it a year..

No idea of miles covered but assume this is a new issue?

Simples 1st

If it only above 55mph.. its either drivetrain..or aerodynamics

Engine rpm will be @3k /4k.. so you can replicate that in 3rd and 4th :)

If its just ROAD SPEED:

And you think front right..

Tyre imperfection
Wheel bearing
Rubbing brake
C V joint

After a 20min+ drive
carefully feel the temps of the 4 wheel bolts in each corner.. and the tyre wall temp should all be just warmer than cold
HOT is bad.. :(


Aerodynamics

Damaged trim..

Mirrors
Wheelarch liners
Bumper trim
Aerial:roof bars


A simple test..
swap the tyre (wheel)from the suspect front..with a good rear

Just beware of arrows showing the direction of rotation.. :eek:


A garage should have done all of this in 1/2 hour.. so Im not sure what they charged you for? :(

Rolling road:
All you need do is lift both front wheels clear of ground.. you can do 5mph to 130 in less than 3 seconds..!!

That will give you drivetrain..with ZERO aerodynamics

As I said.. its not complicated.. you just need to be methodical ;)

Shame weve not got a Midlands Italia meet planned yet.. or I could narrow it down in 10 minutes

Charlie
 
Bless you Charlie, thank you so much for all your thoughts.
I half-thought you were joking (sorry).

I'm really not mechanical so explaining in such layman's terms has really helped.
Very much appreciated.

Its a 2004 model done about 80k, had some issues with ECU in the past and various lights coming on and off in the rain and in the cold, whilst it never ceased to run perfectly despite all these issues. I've had it about 2 years now (I think). Maybe 3.

I did take it in to my local garage regarding the whining noise and they said it was due to my gearbox being split and no oil in there, that has been renewed but its still exactly the same (regards the whining sound). The whining sound developed about 3 months ago.
 
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Right, I've just taken it for a spin for 20 minutes on the M54 so had runs of 60-70mph.
Tyre temps on tyre wall are all ok, but on 'both' front wheels the temperature of the 4 bolts on each wheel is boiling hot, almost too hot to touch. Whereas the rear bolts on the wheels are cool.

I feel that tells me something about a potential diagnosis? Or at least getting close to the source of the sound.

Also forgot to add, I was taking the family to Wales in August when we got run off the inside lane of a dual carriageway by a lorry, thankfully there was a run off space and very little contact except a slight bump and loss of rear wheel trim, which I still haven't replaced. Other than that, it appears there was no damage but I wonder if that has something to do with wheel bearing damage.
 
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Wheels getting hot is a sign of rubbing brakes, it’s worth repeating the run but when you come to a stop be sure to use the brakes as little as possible. Do a run up a dual carriageway, give yourself plenty of time for lay-by indicate early, loose all your speed using the gears not brakes, then when pulling up use the handbrake to stop the car (at a very low speed) not the foot brake, basically try to bring the car to a stop without using the foot brake at all. If after doing all of this you find the wheels are still too hot to touch then it’s likely your brakes are rubbing.

If they have been like this a while you may very likely need new brake pads disc and both callipers replacing.
 
Progress.. :)

The friction of stopping with brakes obviously generates heat..

As Andy said.. try to almost coast to a stop.

IF the brakes ARE BINDING..

A five minute trip at 20/30 will be plenty to build heat..

So possible to then pull over relatively slowly.. and assess the temps again.


Told you it wasnt complicated.. :)
 
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