Whining Noise '00 5.3 Silverado

[jjd281]

My 2000 Chevy Silverado 5.3L engine is making an intermittent whining noise. Do not be mistaken - It is not a power steering "squeal." It is more of a "err...errrrr...err....errrrrrrr...er" noise. It increases with engine RPM so i suspect it to be a pulley or a belt driven accessory. The truck runs perfect, however, the noise is incredibly annoying. My grandfather, a retired mechanic, told me to put a stick on each one of the accessories and listen for the faulty component. I am going to try this today. PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. Thanks!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by jjd281

My 2000 Chevy Silverado 5.3L engine is making an intermittent whining noise. Do not be mistaken - It is not a power steering "squeal." It is more of a "err...errrrr...err....errrrrrrr...er" noise. It increases with engine RPM so i suspect it to be a pulley or a belt driven accessory. The truck runs perfect, however, the noise is incredibly annoying. My grandfather, a retired mechanic, told me to put a stick on each one of the accessories and listen for the faulty component. I am going to try this today. PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. Thanks!

its probably the Power steering pump,,,I've seen this..may need new pump...possible that the fluid may need changing ever change it ? probably not....

don't use a stick this can be dangerous,,,use a length of soft 3/8-1/2 in tubing and with one end by your ear use the other end to probe for source noise...

[jjd281]

I have never changed the PS fluid but i would rather just replace the whole pump so i can sleep easy. I will try the tube thing today to confirm the source of the noise. Thanks for your help. How much to PS pumps typically run $? Is there a particular website to view installation instructions?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by jjd281

I have never changed the PS fluid but i would rather just replace the whole pump so i can sleep easy. I will try the tube thing today to confirm the source of the noise. Thanks for your help. How much to PS pumps typically run $? Is there a particular website to view installation instructions?

on my 2000 sil I had some intermittent noise...a few years ago at about 90,ooomi. after the fluid was replaced it stopped making the noise,,,also I found that the steering was easier...

the P/S fluid replacement is something I always do as my vehicles are retired with well over 200,ooomi....

I have never had to replace a p/s unit...it is usually bad fluid...

if the level was slightly below the add maRk this would then require the p/s to be replaced...these pumps will fail if run on low fluid quickly.

otherwise they operate for the life of the vehicle WITH GOOD FLUID...

[jjd281]

Thanks. Yeah, the truck has about 150K on it. The level of the fluid is good. I know this because i check it often. However, i will take your advise and change the fluid. I'll post tomorrow to let you know how everything goes. Thanks again.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by jjd281

Thanks. Yeah, the truck has about 150K on it. The level of the fluid is good. I know this because i check it often. However, i will take your advise and change the fluid. I'll post tomorrow to let you know how everything goes. Thanks again.

I think the new fluid after a few drives causes the pressure control valve to work properly this then operates at the correct pressure..

[chevy393]

one thing u can do that i did to try and find a noise, i ended up having a bad idler pulley bearing, but take off your serpentine belt and try to spin the pulleys u can by hand and see if it makes a weird noise, if it dosnt seem like a pulley thing and a component it self then idk but good luck

[dozer1]

i have the same problem with my 99 sierra and its an idler pulley that squeals during wet weather or on dewey mornings

[jjd281]

Thanks for all your help everyone. It turned out to be a bad A/c idler/tensioner pulley. $20 later, she purrs like a kitten.

[kbaird83]

i bought a stethoscope like what the doctors use to listen to the pulleys. works great you can keep it a inch or so off the pulley and keep you hand out of danger yet still hear the problem.