Do i have a turbo?

Not really, but my 96 lumina 3.1 sounds funny, mainly under load like when i have the A/C running. For all you gear heads out there, it sort of sounds like i'm running pete jackson noisy gears. It has a "whirring" sound that doesn't affect the drivability, but its very annoying. Also, i on;y get maybe 20 to the gallon, much less with the air on...Is this right, or am i missing something?:banghead:

If you have one of those segmented poly-V accessory belts, they can create that kind of noise. I've had those, and they drive me crazy (actually, that's more of a short walk than a drive...). If the main (longitudal) belt grooves also have crosscut grooves all around the length of the belt, that could be your culprit.

Hmmm, i never thought of that, i'll look into it a bit further. It does sound like it's coming from under the intake manifold though.....

Check your alternator. When bearings begin to go on an alternator, you get that whirring sound. Take a close look at the alternator.

Check the A/C compressor itself. I recently pulled the A/C compressor completely out of my 94 lumina due to the bearings having gone bad. It made the most horrid noise. The A/C didn't work in my car so I just replaced the compressor with a by-pass pulley and all is quiet now. You can try using a long screw driver or get a stethoscope to help locate the problem.

All great advice. The alt. seems quiet, however i'm only getting 11.6v to the battery, also, the a/c comp. is brand new. Noise seems to be isolated in the intake manifold vacinity

process of elimination run engine with belt off. If whine goes away then it's steering pump,alternator, water pump comp.or idler pulley. Turn each by hand slow and listen. That's how I found my alternator noisy on my 90 3.1. If she still whines with belt off than you can start looking at engine. Leaky manifold sucking air maybe. If it only whines while driving then you go to your tranny. I can make my whine like crazy in 2nd gear. Let us know who the culprit was, good luck.