• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Engine Whine....Power steering or Alternator?

C

csvt1999

New CEG'er
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
13
Location
Traverse City, MI
My 1999 svt contour has had this odd whine since i bought it 5k miles ago only has 84,000 on it and cant figure out what it is. its defiantly coming from the passenger side of the motor and almost sounds like a supercharger, either way i know something is bad and don't want the old girl breaking down on me. any suggestions?? :confused:

Thanks, Dan

Heres a video i took of the sound, sorry its so windy (traverse city)
 
dabl1313 said:
sounds like ur power steering pump.. u should have someone turn the wheels while ur outside under the hood just to confirm
Click to expand...

Well since I can't listen to the video I will just say this. I had a whine with my 98. I replaced the serp belt and it went away. It could also be a pulley or like was stated above the ps pump.
 
If I were to suggest anything I would say take the cap off the PS resevoir and see if the fluid is low and see what it does while it is running. My PS Pump went bad and leaked but never whined at all. It could very well be the bearing in the alternator but the easiest way to tell that is to see if it sounds louder at the bottom of the motor or at the top. The alternator sits in the back of motor right above the LCA. A Serp belt could make that noise just like a bad tensioner could make that noise. You need another person to really narrow down the possibilities. The tip posted earlier with having someone turn the wheel while another listens to the motor is also a quick easy way to determine if it is that. I would be surprised if it is the PS Pump though.
 
If you believe that it is an accessory driven by the serpetine belt then do a simple test. Remove the belt and start the car, briefly. If the noise is from an accessory it will not happen. After that use a large screw driver or mechanics stethoscope and sping everything while listening to is for the noise and determine which one it is. Go from there.
 
if you havent figured it out yet. If i were you i would have someone cut the wheel at the same time u are listening. if it doesnt squeal. take it around the block or wherever you can get some open space cut it hard to the right and left while driving. as long as it secluded and a open space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top