While at the dealer, having them check out a faint whining sound coming from the engine area - started about a month ago with and without the A/C. Almost sounds like the beginning of a loose belt but just very faint.

SA said may be a bearing in one of the pulleys? I don't know and she doesn't know yet but was wondering if this sound is pathognomic for something or others have experienced this.

TIA

 

Need more info. like... what year is your car, manual or tip,when do you hear it, Clutch engaged or not , low rpms, what gears...There is a tsb for steering oil reservoir which produced a whining sound.

 

2003 996tt 6speed with 17K miles & meticulous upkeep. bailey DV's, cargraphic exhaust, porsche wheel spacers front & rear(just in case someone might think it's a wheel bearing?)

can hear the noise best at low rpms but i think that is just because it's not drowned out by the exhaust(Cargraphic) at those rpms. i don't really remember trying to listen to the noise with the clutch engaged so i couldn't tell you that one

and i also only hear it in the lower gears (1-3) but i think that's just because of the noise being drowned out by ambient noise as i get going faster.

the best way to describe it in my very unprofessional way is it sounds like a belt is just barely loose - before it starts to make that loud obnoxious sound. for soem reason i though that turning the a/c off would make the sound go away but to no avail - used to dealing with GM trucks making funny sounds and being able to eliminate them by turning the a/c off

so i'm guessing that this is not something pinpointably obvious such as the RMS on NA cars but thanks for any input

 

OK at low rpms try to engage the clutch and see if it goes away for a short time. If so, I think it may be the steering reservoir TSB 4897 (1/05) PN 996.314.920.34

 

'Sounds exactly like the noise I recently had. Indy shop used stethoscope to "listen" to variuos pulleys. They concluded it was alternator pulley bearing. Replaced. Noise gone and problem solved. 'Hope this helps.

 

thanks guys - i will relay the info on to the SA if they are unable to reproduce the sound or have trouble diagnosing it.

Statman - the car is 300 miles away at the dealer so unfortunately i can't "play" with it to further diagnose it but thanks for the heads up

 

My 03 just had the same issue - pulley tensioners.

 

You guys were spot on- turned out to be one of the bearings on the pulleys(or something like that) was going bad.

As far as the suspension issue - looks like one of my hubs was badly cross-threaded from the lug bolts so they are going to rethread it and hopefully take care of that(two of the bolts were loose)

 

another bullseye for 6 speedonline.

 

so since the car's at the dealer anyways until Sat and my warranty only lasts another month - any suggestions on what I should have them "inspect & repair"? Nothing is wrong that I know and I can't really think of anything but just wanted to doublecheck with the pro's at 6speed

 

I posted about a high pitched whiring sound about a month or so ago, and learned today that the noise is coming from that same alternator pulley. being replaced at my local indy tomorrow.

 

same exact problem. same solution.
Pulley changed, problem solved.

Idler pulley, 996.102.119.58.

Replaced pulley felt as though it had a little restriction or brushing feel to it, new one smooth as silk. high pitched sound is gone.