Engine whine
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 27
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Engine whine
I have a 2002 C5 Corvette with the 350 engine. Currently I have an engine whine whenever I start up the car which only increases as the rpms increase. I notice it more at idle however the passenger (my wife) also notices it when riding
I took it to the dealership last year who said the problem may be the alternator, the tensioner pulley or another pulley on the lower part of the engine.
Another source told me to conduct a smoke test on the air intake system and check all vacuum lines for pinhole leaks.
Before incurring a large expense I would like to see if any of you have had similar problems and what your solution was.
Thanks
Jim
I took it to the dealership last year who said the problem may be the alternator, the tensioner pulley or another pulley on the lower part of the engine.
Another source told me to conduct a smoke test on the air intake system and check all vacuum lines for pinhole leaks.
Before incurring a large expense I would like to see if any of you have had similar problems and what your solution was.
Thanks
Jim
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Cuisunartvette........I was always told not to run a vehicle with the belt off....is this still the case. What about if the sound was coming from the alternator would I still hear it.
Coletrickle35 --- where is the a/c belt tensioner located. Do I need to jack up the front end and crawl under?
Thinking of replacing the alternator (not cheap..even a rebuilt), the belt tensioner, the a/c tensioner, and the belts this week.
If that don't work I don't know what it might be....will have to try the vacuum system I guess
Any more ideas?
Coletrickle35 --- where is the a/c belt tensioner located. Do I need to jack up the front end and crawl under?
Thinking of replacing the alternator (not cheap..even a rebuilt), the belt tensioner, the a/c tensioner, and the belts this week.
If that don't work I don't know what it might be....will have to try the vacuum system I guess
Any more ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
seems like spending money to properly diagnose the problem would better serve you before you take out the part shotgun. Boom! Alternator. Boom! Tensioner. Boom! Belts.
Last edited by STRMLNE; Mar 30, 2019 at 08:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Strmlne ---- I totally agree with you but I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer and a specialty shop only to be told what I mentioned earlier in my post and no specific diagnosis. So far I have almost $300 invested and I figure if I need to spend more I may as well get something new to go with the money spent.
The only thing I have not had done is a smoke test on the vacuum.
Thanks everyone for the comments as I value each one of them
The only thing I have not had done is a smoke test on the vacuum.
Thanks everyone for the comments as I value each one of them
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
Unfortunately, dealers more often than not aren’t knowledgeable with these cars anymore. They are 20 years old. Most of the dealer techs were probably toddlers when these cars were made. I would recommend you find a shop that specializes in c5’s. A tension whine and a belt whine sounds drastically different than an alternator whine.
