Water pumps whine like this? Video...

[manhatton]

I've got a whine.

Replaced idler and tensioner pulleys.
Removed belt completely and whine was gone.
Tried short belt (70.5") to bypass AC pulley, whine remained.
Alternator was recently replaced.
Belt looks good, minor cracking nothing bad (Gatorback).

This leaves power steering and water pump, no?

Using a "listening stick" of sorts did not immediately condemn the PS pump, and I'm not trying to slip anything through the moving belt to listen to the block.

The water pump is not moving in it's position, and doesn't clunk. The last time one failed it made the typical clunking that I would associate with that failure.

Anyone have a WP sound like this before failure?

http://youtu.be/H3nTFIvK6Ts

 

[The_Roadie]

I'd guess PS pump first. How many miles, and have you ever renewed the fluid using the ol' turkey baster trick?

 

[manhatton]

203k.

Twice. Once in the last 5k.

I would think it was that as well, but the sound seems to be loudest in the center of the bay. Ever heard a WP do this Roadie?

 

[The_Roadie]

Not without wobble, but then I'm only at 104K and I haven't yet installed the WP I keep in trail spares stock. So let's see if others chime in.

 

[Niklaus]

This is more than likely the power steering pump. My dad had this same exact sound in his Trailblazer and it was gone once the PS pump was changed.
I hear a similar whine in a lot of TB's and Envoy's that I see around.
Seems like this is a common problem.

My Envoy had a bad water pump and it was wobbling making the belt screech because it was being pushed on a pulley. No whining though.

 

[djthumper]

I would say the PS pump as well. I have had to replace my water pump twice and it had a chirping sound and wobble.

 

[Up And Down]

I would try spraying down the idler pulley really well first and see if that changes the sound. I know that I have changed mine 2 or 3 times already. The sound is usually different but I wouldn't be surprised if it were a bad bearing on the idler.

 

[dla442]

Ps pump for sure. I have same noise but not that bad yet. Really chirps up with higher rpm and turning the wheel. I'm just waiting for it to arrive. One question for the forum is, can I remove a hose and have the pump remove most of the old fluid? Would like to start with fresh fluid with a new pump.

 

[Sparky]

My PS pump has a nice whine to it also. Died twice, resurrected twice, I have a spare but haven't messed with it yet and it is still working, so.... lol yeah.

 

[dla442]

Seen some other posts on turning over engine but not letting it run by pulling a fuel fuse and letting it drain through the cooler line. Will have to look into that closer. New pump enroute from AZ and 20% off so I added a tensioner too while I am at it, it looked a but jumpy while checking the ps pump. Surely new fluid is a must and common sense to me. So once again gmt has saved me $$$$$$...love it!

 

[manhatton]

Quick update....

Not the PS pump. Pretty annoyed at this point. Thought for a second it might be the Gatorback, however the whine persisted with the short belt, too.


As far as flushes, I wouldn't bother running the motor to flush. As long as both wheels are in the air, going lock to lock a few dozen times should cycle through a few quarts and get you to clear fluid.

 

[Flatbroke]

I had a similar problem on my 06 trailblazer so replaced the serpentine belt idler pulley bearing and that did the trick.

good luck

 

[manhatton]

Thought I had this figured out....

A whine from near the water pump? Fan clutch! (I did the '08 swap so it's not electronic.)

Well, that's also not it...

Thinking I'm going to have to swallow my pride and get it looked at. Just wanted to see if anyone could think of something else ...

Recap:
NEW
Alternator
Idler pulley
Tensioner pulley
Power steering pump
Water pump
Fan clutch
Belt

I didn't replace the tensioner arm, but can't imagine that would create this much noise.

 

[Mathoran]

Did it just start on its own one day or after changing something? From the video it almost sounds to me like the belt is rubbing itself or something.

 

[Texan]

Can you take the fan and clutch off, and run it and listen with a stethoscope?

 

[manhatton]

Did it just start on its own one day or after changing something? From the video it almost sounds to me like the belt is rubbing itself or something.

Somewhat gradual, but wasn't too long after the alternator install. I suppose it could be chewing the belt, but neither was obviously frayed. I'll have to give it a closer look.

Can you take the fan and clutch off, and run it and listen with a stethoscope?

Very well could. We'll see what the belt inspection turns up.

 

[manhatton]

Bad alternator from AZ.

I should've tried this earlier, but was discouraged when the guy on the phone said they'd have to test it to give me a new one. Turned out it failed their test.

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[Texan]

Was it a rebuilt alternator? Not a uncommon occurrence.

 

[manhatton]

Indeed it was.

 

[KellieW]

I just purchased a 03 Trailblazer, it had a new alternator and what appeared to be a old worn belt, by the time I made it to the shop the belt was chewed up, the shop put a new belt on and 5 miles later that one was chewed up, back to the shop I went and they said I needed a tensioner pully, 5 miles later I had no power steering and all my power steering fluid had leaked out, back to the shop and it needed a power steering pump, ok so now I have a new belt, tensioner pully and power steering pump, 3 blocks later service engine soon light is on. If it were not for bad luck I would have no luck at all. Any suggestions on what would have made the service engine light to come on after replacing the power steering pump? Any suggestions would help because I am starting to think I just purchased a hunk of junk. Thanks in advance for any info here.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

Glad you made it over! first things first, we need to know the codes that made the check engine light come on before we can help ya out too much.. Most auto part stores will read the codes for free. Once we know the codes we can help ya figure out what is wrong and how to fix it.

 

[BlazingTrails]

it would probably be helpful to start a new thread


Welcome!!

 

[MetalAnon]

I've got a whine.

Replaced idler and tensioner pulleys.
Removed belt completely and whine was gone.
Tried short belt (70.5") to bypass AC pulley, whine remained.
Alternator was recently replaced.
Belt looks good, minor cracking nothing bad (Gatorback).

This leaves power steering and water pump, no?

Using a "listening stick" of sorts did not immediately condemn the PS pump, and I'm not trying to slip anything through the moving belt to listen to the block.

The water pump is not moving in it's position, and doesn't clunk. The last time one failed it made the typical clunking that I would associate with that failure.

Anyone have a WP sound like this before failure?

Video is private... I ealize this is a 6 year old thread but i have been looking for videos of TB whines trying to determine what my problem may be but video is private... :/

 

[Mooseman]

Probably ain't gonna happen as the OP hasn't logged on in 2 years. You could start a thread with a video of your own.