C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Whats wrong with my C4?

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Old May 20, 2006 | 10:53 PM
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Default Whats wrong with my C4?

I have taken my 96 in to my mechanic but he can't figure it out. Maybe someone has had this problem before and knows how to address it. My car makes a whine/whistling sound, especially before it completely warms up. When I give it throttle it gets louder then fades away. If I put it into first it is alot easier to notice it aswell. Does anyone have any Ideas? My mechanic said it could be the factory air pump and that the noise is normal, but its never been there before and if it were a normal noise I wouldnt have bought the car.

Thanks,
Jim
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Old May 20, 2006 | 10:57 PM
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Did he check the idler pulley?
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
Did he check the idler pulley?

I just had to change Lisa's for that very reason.
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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all he said is that he heard the noise and brought it back to the shop, popped the hood and figured it was the air pump. But the idler pulley that you replaced was making a whistling noise? I might as well just go put a new one on, 20 bucks and 5 minutes of work.
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:14 PM
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maybe .... possibly a power steering pump.
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:26 PM
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Take the belt off and start it. Your mechanic try a stethescope?
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:28 PM
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no, he just drove it and said he "kind of" heard it, and said he thought it was just normal noise from the air pump
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:48 PM
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Mine makes a whistling/whine noise too. I know it's not the idler or the PS. But it does stop when you pull the cogged belt.

Just a bit of fun. I would think you have an idler issue as well. How many miles on the car. If you do replace the idler, get one of the original type GM ones, not the "cheapie" that they sell at the local Autozone. I have see a few of these come apart.

Aaron
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:50 PM
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Your air pump is driven electrically, not by belt. Doubt it's that.

Either an idler pulley or belt driven assessory (a/c or p/s).
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Old May 20, 2006 | 11:57 PM
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ive got about 68k on her, im gonna try a new idler in the morning, hopefully that does the trick. if not ill be back...

Thanks for all the help,
Jim
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Old May 21, 2006 | 12:14 AM
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on the LT4, there is another "idler" pulley. It's not a tensioner, but just a bearing with a pulley.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by larryfs
on the LT4, there is another "idler" pulley. It's not a tensioner, but just a bearing with a pulley.
Is it also on the LT1? His name includes "LT1", so I'm not sure.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:42 AM
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My air pump did that as well as my failing water pump.
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Old May 22, 2006 | 10:54 PM
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FIXED! $15.95 + 8 minutes = no more noise. Thanks for the advice everyone, the new idler did it.

-Jim
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Old May 23, 2006 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Rinker96LT1
FIXED! $15.95 + 8 minutes = no more noise. Thanks for the advice everyone, the new idler did it.

-Jim
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Old May 23, 2006 | 12:26 PM
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Default It probably isn't the AIR pump

Probably not the AIR pump because the 96 has an electric pump mounted in the left front corner of the engine compartment. It only runs for 20 seconds or so when you first start.

It may be a pulley bearing. Take the belt off when cool. Spin the pulleys and listen. The pulley if having problems may be very easy to spin and will make noise.

Does the sound very with engine speed? Higher pitch, louder, or anything like that?
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