Mystery Whine from engine compartment

[Toxicrider]

Ok, a little background first.  My H3 has had a growling noise from under the hood for some time.  As I also had some steering issues (aka no power steering) I made the logical assumption that the power steering pump was the source of the growl under the hood.  Well finally after my truck sitting for over a month I was able to get it inside a heated garage and change out the pump, thanks Joe Selwa!!  Steering is awesome now, but the damn growling noise remains.  It is definitely from the engine compartment and is very much so RPM dependent.  As there are limited items attached to the front of the engine I am just hoping that someone else has run in to a similar issue and found what was causing it.  Ideas would be appreciated as well. Would rather not spend a ton of money just playing hunt and peck to find the part.
 
Cheers,
Jim

[GreenMeanie]

If you have a leak in the power steering system it will make a buzzing sound you can feel in the steering wheel.
Other things to check would be the rotating items on the engine to make sure they spin free and that the serpentine belt is not slipping and or worn..
Ac compressor, alternator, PS pump, idler pulley etc all have bearings in them that can make nasty sounds when they start going out.
Does it happen in park when accelerating with the hood open or only in gear??

[whitehumh2]

Ok, Start by removing your main belt. Start and run the engine. If the noise is gone, it is one of the main components. If the noise is still present it will be your A/C tensioner or A/C compressor clutch. My bet would be on the A/C. It sits at the bottom right hand side of the engine and if you do water crossings and deep mud...it will very likely need to be replaced! I have done mine several times! I have actually relocated my A/C Compressor to the upper right side of my engine as a result!
 
If the noise is one of the main components. Spin each component individually and I am sure you will find it to be coming from the idler or tensioner pulley or even the alternator.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Kev

[Toxicrider]

[quote="GreenMeanie"]
If you have a leak in the power steering system it will make a buzzing sound you can feel in the steering wheel.
Other things to check would be the rotating items on the engine to make sure they spin free and that the serpentine belt is not slipping and or worn..
Ac compressor, alternator, PS pump, idler pulley etc all have bearings in them that can make nasty sounds when they start going out.
Does it happen in park when accelerating with the hood open or only in gear??
[/quote]
 
Happens all the time. Can't feel it in the steering wheel at and the pitch doesn't change when I turn the steering wheel.  Will start checking out the other items attached to the engine
 
Cheers,
Jim

[f1ipX]

i have that rattling noise on 1st start then goes away when the engine is warm. and decided to changed my 

Serpentine Belt Tensioner With Pulley now the noise is gone on start up. my truck is @ 212K., i Thought its the idler pulley but its not.
 

 

[GreenMeanie]

You can feel if the bearing is gone if you turn the devices by hand with the belt off.

[Toxicrider]

Going to replace the belt tensioner pulley anyway.  They are relatively cheap and an easy change.  This one has been under water and mud so much the bearing has to be getting torched at any rate.

[whitehumh2]

Did you do the test I suggested?
 
It could be your A/C tensioner and not your main tesnioner...it sits much much lower on your engine!
 
Just a thought?

[Toxicrider]

Haven't had the chance to yet.  The sound sounds like it is coming from the side that the main tensioner is on so going with it first.  Am going to remove the belt to do that change so will check the alternator and water pump then.  Can also check the A/C tensioner when in there.

[Toxicrider]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! The belt tensioner bearing was shot!! New tensioner installed, no more growling noise. Would have thought a bearing wouldn't have made the noise my truck was making, but apparently I was mistaken.