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whine from 2003 Impala LS
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vtrobert
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Dec 10, 2010, 3:26 PM
Post #1 of 9
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whine from 2003 Impala LS
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I have a 2003 Impala LS with the 3.8L V6 and now 130K miles on it. I maintain it religiously with high mileage synthetic oil and change out the various filters at GM specified intervals. The transmission fluid was changed at 100K miles.
About this time a year ago, it began making a whine like that of that of inertia flywheel type toy vehicles. It was intermittent at first and only when the vehicle was cold. It is a common noise now. It makes the whine regardless of whether the transmission is engaged or not. The pitch of the whine changes as I rev the engine.
I had questioned and paid some "on line experts" that suggested it could be a worn serpentine belt wearing against the tensioner. I have replaced the serpentine belt and the automatic tensioner has picked up "some" slack although it is still within the tension ranges printed on the top. It has had no effect on the whine.
I have also noticed that if I am making a left turn while decellerating as in from a middle turn lane, that can initiate the whine. This is not the case with a right hand turn. If the engine is hot as from a half hour or longer trip, the whine is not evident.
It does not seem to affect acceleration. The car accelerates fine. The car also starts fine.
I have also noticed a lag in the steering wheel and groan from the power steering pump if I turn the wheel without rolling the car. I realize this will happen if the car is sitting still and the wheel is turned. We also know this wears out tires quickly. This seems excessive however; a deep groan I'm only now hearing.
I am wondering if there are bearings wearing somewhere or if the engine mounts are going. I welcome your comments.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 10, 2010, 3:56 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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I think you are hearing your PS pump. Suggest changing it and right now see if it's low + if low find out why as it really shouldn't consume any. This would explain why it goes away when warmed up as it has expanded.
Changing the fluid with proper high quality can only help. I stall at suggesting snake oils but a product called Trans-X may help (your call, your car) but seriously only use about 1/2 oz of the stuff no matter what the label might suggest. I've used it that sparingly in all my too many vehicles with no problem for ages now. As said - don't believe in magic in a bottle but this one by exact name seems to help certain issues. If full you can get a new turkey baster to remove some but promise me you'll mark it NOT FOR FOOD with a permanent marker!
If somehow you think this could be belt noise (noises are hard to describe sometimes) take it off and if noise is gone it would be the belt itself or a pulley going. Spin them by hand while belt is off. Should have no freeplay and dang near silent,
T
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vtrobert
New User
Dec 10, 2010, 5:06 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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Thx for the input. Certainly checking the PS pump fluid is simple enough. Hadn't thot of a turkey baster for adding small amounts of fluid. No worries, I'm a food microbiologist so trust I'll label it (them) for nonfood use. I'll let you know how it goes. I used to put a cardboard piece in the carport to look for leaks. I don't know why I stopped.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 10, 2010, 6:17 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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The turkey baster is to REMOVE fluid if needed. Mark it for PS fluid only and not any other fluid. Is PS is overfilled most will purge out but best to have it correct.
Again, if low carefully fill it and not spill and then try to find the source of any leak. Rack and pinions may hold some without dripping out unless there's a lot in the accordian boot(s) - other places are pressure hose, return hose, and the pump itself could be leaking.
May not be this at all but easy enough to check. Clean off suspect area if low and see what returns.
The cardboard is a good idea. Most cars will drip a drop of some oil with some miles and age and not to get too excited if just a drop of oil. PS should be allowed to drip anywhere at all.
If full and it is buzzing try changing it. If DIYing it just empty tank with that turkey baster and refill. run a day and do it again. Many use ATF for PS fluid. It's really just thin oil with high detergency and strong for non foaming which is an additive that wears out in time with heat. Seems almost all of the cars are hotter underhood than wicked old ones. If low and if a hose do it now especially if it shuts up and was found low as too low will burn out PS pump,
T
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 10, 2010, 8:50 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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It would really help to narrow down where the noise is coming from. If it makes the noise just sitting there, take the belt off & run the engine. If the noise goes away then it's in one off the accessories or idler pulleys. You can spin the pulleys and listen & feel for any roughness.
If nothing is for sure doing this put the belt back on and get a long thin bar (I use a 3' 3/8s extension), start the engine and put one end of the bar on different accessories, alt, p/s pump, a/c and put your ear on the other end and listen for the noise. you can carefully put the bar on the nut that holds the idler pulleys to give it a listen.....
You just have to use extreme care & caution when doing this because there is a lot of moving parts that could "grab" your bar.....
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vtrobert
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Apr 28, 2011, 7:53 AM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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I know this response is quite late from the date I first posted about the problem. Good news! I finally managed to get my fingers on the PS dipstick for the car back a couple of months ago. I don't guess I need to tell this group what a challenge that is.
Turns out there wasn't a drop of fluid on the stick. I managed to fashion a funnel to reach and added 12 oz to the reservoir. Noise dissappeared and hasn't returned. It also appears that performance of the engine has improved since eliminating the problem. I have no idea why the thing to lose all that fluid, especially since I haven't had to add any more.
Thanx folks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 28, 2011, 8:24 AM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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They hide some of those like it was on purpose!
OK: Needing 12oz is a lot and has to have left evidence somewhere to be found and fixed since it seems fine now it might be. If you can safely get underside look at all places, hoses to rack and pinion. Left with that gritty whine it will take out the pump and may need that now if leaking.
Find where it went asap as it near certainly will save more troubles,
T
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vtrobert
New User
Apr 28, 2011, 8:45 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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I'll look again. After not having been able to see the reservoir initially, I put the car up on ramps to see if I could get to it from underneath. I didn't see any spots then. That said, the fact that there was very low fluid may have had something to do with that.
Appreciate your feedback. Do you have an opinion on these stopleak type fluids that are available for PS systems?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 28, 2011, 9:29 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: whine from 2003 Impala LS
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To add - if you spilled any in the attempt to fill it that will complicate finding the leak. There are only a couple "mechanic in a can I will use but at about 1/10th of what is suggested on container. Best to know first what leak you are fixing of course as if it's a pressure hose to rack you are just delaying trouble. Trans-X is one I approve for for most PS or known what and why trans leaks.
Don't over use it - remove just enough to displace it and one oz is enough. It's action is to swell rubber so I mean it, don't overdo it or you could end up needing tons more work than intended. Cooling system ones are dangerous and several other magic in can really are a waste and make things worse.
I know there are whole sections of outlets for all kinds of junk - avoid about all of it. Hey - the oils, gasoline, other things have all the additives already safe for a car.
WARNING! Be real careful of car ramps. I don't like those at all and place every safety you can find - logs/whatever such that no way car can fall as low as your bod - not worth it!
PS fluid is usually the same as ATF but double check and won't rinse off so evidence should stay longer if intermittent for some reason and could be?
Good luck finding the leak and definately don't let it go low again,
T
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