whining noise

[thebonjo]

I am suddenly getting a whining noise that is consistent with engine rpms(gets louder when revved), and is also noticeable when idling. I replaced the serpentine belt about a year ago. I have no check engine light or no change in performance. Does anyone know what this can be?

'99 Isuzu Rodeo LS

[amigo-2k]

I would think it could be low tranny fluid, but you said it happens at idle and when you rev the engine.

[rodeo02]

I'd pull the serpentine belt and give all the pullies (that will move) a spin by hand to see how the feel & sound. You can also briefly run the engine with the serp belt off to see if the noise goes away. Atleast that way you know it's something attached to the serp belt.

G/luck
Joel

[LXA]

Just to be a smart a$$...have you removed all of your in-laws from the back seat? I've found that there is direct corelation between the number of relatives in the vehicle (especially those of the female variety) and the amount of whine I hear. You may now begin bashing me...LOL

[thebonjo]

Thanks for the input. I seemed to solve the problem (after checking for in-laws..haha), it was really low on oil, like 2 quarts. Topped it off and the sound went away. I know (after reading the board) that I should check it more often, but I got into a habit of forgetting about it. Hadn't checked it since the last oil change. All is well now.

[marcre]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

I'd pull the serpentine belt and give all the pullies (that will move) a spin by hand to see how the feel & sound. You can also briefly run the engine with the serp belt off to see if the noise goes away. Atleast that way you know it's something attached to the serp belt.

G/luck
Joel

Is it bad to run the vehicle with that belt off?

Originally Posted by thebonjo

it was really low on oil, like 2 quarts. Topped it off and the sound went away.

uh oh, that's not good. Keep an eye on it. I hope no damage was done.

[surferfletch]

Is it bad to run the vehicle with that belt off?

For more than a couple of minutes, yes. You'll have a steady drain of the battery without the alt charging. You won't miss the power steering pump as long as you're not on the road. My water pump is spun by the timing belt, so it wouldn't overheat, but if the pump is run by the serp belt, you wouldn't circulate coolant. I wonder if the battery would drain before it overheated, though...

[amigo-2k]

[img}http://www.mjw.com/amigo/images/belt.jpg[/img}

can someone fill in the numbers for me?

[thebonjo]

This is from a shop manual I have:
(1) Crankshaft Pulley
(2) Water Pump and Cooling Fan Pulley
(3) Tensioner
(4) Generator
(5) A/C compressor
(6) Power Steering Pump
(7) Idle Pulley

[marcre]

The picture didn't show up in Amigo2k's post, so here it is.

[amigo-2k]

Ok. So the s-belt does move the water pump then.

I'm sure it is not that big of deal of running the truck without the belt for a minute just to listen for that sound.

[Ramblin Fever]

Ok, your saying the whining was fixed after refilling it with 2qts of oil?

Eeeakkk!

Cross your fingers and toes; hope all stays well.

Being 1qt low on these sumps is no biggy; but 2 is hopefully not too much of an issue.

[rodeo02]

On all isuzu 3.2/3.5's the water pump is driven by the timing belt. Some manuals for some reason refer to the bracket that holds the radiator cooling fan as a 'dummy' water pump. It's not a water pump, but there is enough room there to fit one. The truck would probably idle for awhile w/ the serp. belt removed, but like fletch said, the battery would eventually wear down from the fuel pump and all the engine electronics.

Joel

[directory]

with this diagram, you can almost envision a new placement for an alternator....