Squeak/ squeal
paulfischer
05-08-2005, 11:28 AM
Hey guys.
I have a 99 lumina with a 3.8 in it, and I am stumped with a problem. I have posted on the Lumina site, and someone suggested I post here as the 3.8 is more common in the Buick cars.
My squeal is hard to figure out where its coming from, sometimes it makes a faint chirping sound, and thats it. Other times it squeals, but if turn the wheel, or give a little gas it goes away. (my squeal only happens with no load on motor at idle speed.)
I have noticed that if I'm stuck in traffic and temps gets a little hotter than just cruising, the squeal is more noticiable.(Noramlly car runs with temp gauge about 1/4 inch above 100 mark, when stuck in traffic it goes to the halfway mark on gauge) Which has me leading towards the water pump bearing. Than if I stop car and run errands or something and let it cool for a little bit, the squeal goes away. My theory is that maybe the hotter coolant temp is causing the bearing to expand more or something.
When I'm at a stop light if I turn the wheel to one side and hold it there, the squeal usually goes away, or , if tap the gas real quick the noise stops.
I'm guessing a PS pump or the water pump.
Other than tht the car runs great. No problems with the intake gaskets.
The car has 110,000 miles on her. What are some of things that are common to go wrong on the 3.8??
Any input would be great!!!!
Thanks
Paul
I have a 99 lumina with a 3.8 in it, and I am stumped with a problem. I have posted on the Lumina site, and someone suggested I post here as the 3.8 is more common in the Buick cars.
My squeal is hard to figure out where its coming from, sometimes it makes a faint chirping sound, and thats it. Other times it squeals, but if turn the wheel, or give a little gas it goes away. (my squeal only happens with no load on motor at idle speed.)
I have noticed that if I'm stuck in traffic and temps gets a little hotter than just cruising, the squeal is more noticiable.(Noramlly car runs with temp gauge about 1/4 inch above 100 mark, when stuck in traffic it goes to the halfway mark on gauge) Which has me leading towards the water pump bearing. Than if I stop car and run errands or something and let it cool for a little bit, the squeal goes away. My theory is that maybe the hotter coolant temp is causing the bearing to expand more or something.
When I'm at a stop light if I turn the wheel to one side and hold it there, the squeal usually goes away, or , if tap the gas real quick the noise stops.
I'm guessing a PS pump or the water pump.
Other than tht the car runs great. No problems with the intake gaskets.
The car has 110,000 miles on her. What are some of things that are common to go wrong on the 3.8??
Any input would be great!!!!
Thanks
Paul
mralias
05-08-2005, 12:18 PM
My guess is water pump. Under a load it may be enough tension on the bearing to stop the squeal. Sounds like its on its way out. If it were power steering it would squeal when you put it under a load. At least that's what mine did.
Smith1000
05-13-2005, 07:25 PM
Does it by chance only happen when the ac compressor is on? Sometimes the compressors make chirps like that, but you can tell for sure if you shut the ac off while it's doing it. I have had chirping noises like that happen when the ac system is overcharged with freon.
EZFrank
05-15-2005, 08:05 PM
Its probably the belt to alternator and power steering pump sometimes especially in the morning when you first start the car they do that. Auto parts stores sell spray for the belts called belt dressing start the car and spray the belts if that dont work belts may need changed. Hope this helps good luck FrankC
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