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Whirling noise


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mist303
User

Mar 19, 2014, 9:15 PM

Post #1 of 8 (3138 views)
Whirling noise Sign In

Hello all, I'm back with my 2004 Honda City (1.3lt).

So it rained heavily a couple of days ago and the car started becoming very noisy.There's a whirling noise from car all the time (idling or on the road). its loudness increase while speeding up.

I recently changed the engine and the alternator's belt. When the noise started (a 2 weeks later)it was really loud. Loud enough to hear 20 meters away from the car. After I changed the alternator's bearing, the noise reduced dramatically, but it was still there and has the same symptoms.

what could the problem be?

Thanks


GC
User
GC profile image

Mar 19, 2014, 9:36 PM

Post #2 of 8 (3132 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

Dont have access to info on that vehicle, but may be of some help on basics. Where is the noise coming from? Engine, exhaust, transmission? If I understand correctly, you changed the accessory drive belt(s) and then the alternator started making noise, bearing was replaced, but still have some noise? If the noise is coming from the belt drive, remove the belt and rotate each pulley by hand and see which one makes noise. Any chance that the belt(s) is manually tightened (not automatic tensioner) and was over-tightened, causing damage to driven components?


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


mist303
User

Mar 19, 2014, 9:40 PM

Post #3 of 8 (3129 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

Thanks for the quick reply.

It was manually tightened by the mechanic. My car doesn't have an automatic tensioner. The noise seems to come from around the engine. I feel that it is coming from the bearings but that might be because of the previous noise.

I will try rotating the pulley. Any other suggestions?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 20, 2014, 4:03 AM

Post #4 of 8 (3109 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

? Manually tightened belts. Most need to be readjusted after some use quickly after replaced new unless you or tech leaves it known too tight guessing on how much it would stretch. Different brands that's about impossible IMO and experience.


Just a simple spray on the belt of even water, engine off if that shuts it up or makes it lots worse the problem is all about that belt itself or anything driven by it. Some belts are just plain noisy new and nothing works but another one.


Alignment must be right for belt on the pulleys and all bearings involved good usually found easily as GC suggested with belt off,


T



mist303
User

Mar 22, 2014, 1:45 AM

Post #5 of 8 (3069 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

So before removing the belt to check the pulley, I dropped a little bit of water and the belt and started the car. The noise was gone. It's been a couple of days now with the noise mostly gone.
Should i keep it that way or change the belt?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 22, 2014, 2:53 AM

Post #6 of 8 (3065 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

OK - Noise you said was "GONE" with just water test on belt - right? That type of test with plain water really shouldn't last long - several seconds perhaps a couple minutes and issue return so not conclusive quite yet.


For the moment with what you said I think that particular belt is the problem. Others here may disagree but I say move up to using WD-40 on the belt - quite a bit which is mostly a fish oil really that isn't a disaster to rubber. At initial start up it might slip for a bit but if belt tension is correct will quickly work properly and belt/noise could stay TOTALLY GONE for some time.


Your ears not mine have to declare it really is gone not a cover up. A real bearing issue or anything turning on that belt if really failed or failing wouldn't change noise much or at all.


What to do? If so find out what brand that belt is and get a different brand. Some are sold stating even bragging that they are quiet. It's natural for belts and the pulleys to shine up with use which makes it more prone to make noise. If any pulley friction surface is way too worn (not common to me) it would have to be replaced.


Refresh: Be careful with manual tension of belts such as this. Over tight is harmful to the bearing it turns - any could be ruined. Too loose is no good either so absolutely know it's right, get help or whatever it takes. AGAIN, the new belt you plain can't know how much it will stretch or wear in from new - quickly. A day or so or some # of miles/kilometers it should be OK for a good time after that but checked as a part of routine maintenance.


Seems like you've found the exact source as said. Just double check and do consider another brand of belt. If that fails or makes it worse there is probably a quality problem for belts for this?


T



mist303
User

Mar 22, 2014, 6:13 AM

Post #7 of 8 (3056 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

There aren't any'good' brands other than the ones directly from Honda outlets from my experience. So I'll try WD 40.

While I'm at it with the WD 40, i heard that it can protect the car's components from rusting. Should i spray it around the battery, the hood, and/or the wheel's outer metal?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 22, 2014, 6:53 AM

Post #8 of 8 (3053 views)
Re: Whirling noise Sign In

Belts:

If you can see with your view this is ONE brand of "quiet" belt bragging it. Can't find that exact brand now?? Who knows who makes or repackages what is anyone's guess. Side note is exactly one of these is on my own vehicle right now because of just mild noise that was bugging me. Gone as I've dealt with this bull quite a bit over many years.


Dayco, NAPA is also a good bet. One problem to know is the belt shown above has staggered notches cut into it and they do by any brand stretch faster and even go out of useful range. A price you pay for quiet some don't want extra attention to anything so in non self tensioned use it needs checking a lot actually.


Other brands may put "cogs" on the top of belts as well. Any are motivated to sell products so buyer beware. Parts outlets frequently just motivated to sell not if you fix anything - sad to say.


WD-40: (Water Displacement and just happened to be 40th attempt for a specific need eons ago) Other brands of it may be fine just this one is known well.
Hey - can't live without that product. Yes, it sure helps control corrosion, and a long list up to polishing and cleaning assorted things. Great for most locks, hinges, latches and more for automotive. Have to keep at it or they do make spray greases that last much longer depending on just what the objective is.


So, we've heavily expounded on just belt issue for this one complaint and it still could be something else. The larger point is things that move are wearing items and cars are full of things that should be tended to for maxed out good life. Stuff happens anyway but less if cared for. Cars are most people's top few of high expenses so paying attention pays off,


T







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