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GQ with funny engine whistle

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:01 pm
by billborric
Hi,

Got a 93 GQ TB42E petrol (injected). Developed a funny whistling noise a month back and have been unable to identify the problem.

First when we noticed it, lifted the bonnet and thought an inlet manifold leak, but on closer inspection it seemed to be coming from the front of the motor and lower down.

This whistle only comes in when the motor has been driven for 15-20 minutes (fully heat soaked) and then only at about 1000 RPM.

Apart from coming in at 1000RPM, revs make no difference to the sound, pitch or volume wise.

We have had a stethascope over the water pump, aircon compressor, aircon idler wheel, alternator and sundry other things and can't seem to pick it up.

The noise is definately louder under the car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:24 pm
by ludacris
Could be power steering. Mine does it sometimes. Just put a Turbo sticker on the side and keep on driving. :D

Cris

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:58 am
by sudso
Warm it up first then disconnect a pulley belt one at a time and run it for a few seconds. If the whistles stops then you know it's related to a pulley bearing or a part running on that pulley. Bit of mucking around but sounds like you've tried everything else.
Mine used to do it (a TD42 though) and a few mates too and it was the same noise as yours, only did it once warmed up a bit. It was the alternator idler pulley bearing. Yours could be the a/cond idler too. Copped a bit too much mud and water.

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:50 am
by billborric
Only trouble is a bearing usually changes pitch with engine revs. This doesn't.

On further Google searches for whistling power steering, I am convinced at the moment that is the cause of the noise. I have just purchased some power steering conditioner and will give this a try.

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:15 pm
by sudso
billborric wrote:Only trouble is a bearing usually changes pitch with engine revs. This doesn't.

.
Mine or my mates Patrols noise never really changed pitch either because the half buggered bearing wasn't really changing speed much and half rubbing on the belt too, not spinning at full pace with the belt.
See you go with the p/s anyway.
cheers

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:34 am
by mhgill
blocked PCV?

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:06 pm
by GQ Bear
Mine was doing the same thing but has stopped?? Can't explain why?? Maybe the gremlin died of old age??

At (not around, but exactly at) 2200 rpm. Start at 2200, stop at 2250. very strange. I could hold it at those revs and it would whistle, vary the revs and it would stop.

It was very annoying

Now it doesn't do it anymore

And i miss it :cry:

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:01 am
by garth
gudday

i have also had the whistling gremlin.....mine lived in the rooted water pump!.
Then there's the "front of the engine - 'knocking' gremlin" he lived in a loose belt....and he was very hard to find!

regards Garth

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:24 am
by Harb
Do they Whistle while they work ?

Might have a dwarf stuck in the grill :D