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Howdy all,
Just purchased a '99 FRC. I luv it!! But, it has a really strange very light "chirping" noise under throttle. Does it even with very light throttle. Let off noise goes away apply noise is present. I believe it is coming from engine bay but it is kinda hard to pin point. Could it be an idler pulley? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as it is driving me crazy.
Thanks in advance
VaPuller
Can you get the noise with the car parked and revving the engine? Yes, it could be an idler pulley or tensioner, belt, harmonic damper, or a number of other items.
I purchased a 97 a few months ago and going through the reciepts I noticed that the lady had the idler tensioner replaced 4 times in 57,000 miles because of a "chirp". My sons 99 has sqeaks coming from everywere. I believe he gets rid of them by turning the radio up.(service writer at Chevy Dealer also said that " GM has an updated alternator for vehicle to help this issue" 09/2008)
To answer the one question, it only does it while driving and can not be duplicated in neutral while in the garage (actually doesn't do it in neural at any time). Sounds like most agree that it is an idler pulley or maybe the belt. Since posting I have read other posts that do indicate that there are some problems with the idlers used in that era. I think I'll start with the AC one first and work my way around. Again, thanks for the replies and I do praise this site for all its help.
VaPuller
To answer the one question, it only does it while driving and can not be duplicated in neutral while in the garage (actually doesn't do it in neural at any time). Sounds like most agree that it is an idler pulley or maybe the belt. Since posting I have read other posts that do indicate that there are some problems with the idlers used in that era. I think I'll start with the AC one first and work my way around. Again, thanks for the replies and I do praise this site for all its help.
VaPuller
From your postings I doubt that it will be the accessory drive system. Normally engine load makes no difference in belt type noises.
Does it chirp in sync with engine rpm or road speed?
That's whats weird !! It is really not rpm related. It may get slightly louder as rpm increases but doesn't get faster. The other weird thing is that it does it even with very slight throttle and gets a little louder as throttle increases. The noise could be coming from "under" car ? It's really hard to tell but it is somewhere from say the seat area forward. It kinda sounds like a wheel bearing but doesn't change with speed or turning doesn't seem to affect it. ?????
I've recently noticed a similar issue, but mine completely goes away if I lightly rest my foot on the clutch pedal (and, of course, if the pedal is pressed). In my case, the noise starts once the engine temp reaches 190-200.
TT bushing maybe?
Mine sounds like its coming out of the defroster vent in the dash when in the drivers seat.
I'll have to try it warmed up in neutral, but I believe it makes the noise then as long as the clutch is out.
My clutch is new -- it has about 700 miles on it, but the TT was out of a wrecked Z with 11k miles on it. I also have a Tick Adj MC and I did adjust it a second time to try to get rid of the sound (no joy).
God help you if it's the crank pulley. Mine made similiar noise, turned out to be the crank pulley. Costs an arm and a leg to have it done, but if I knew before what I knew now, I would have never attempted the job myslef. Absolutely awful job.