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I am Sooooo glad I found this site!

I have many ???'s to ask and will try to refrain from asking any stoopid ones.

I recently bought a 1999 SE 2.5 w/ATX and 95K at an and have no history of the vehicle at all.

I guess the first thing I've noticed is there is a whirring sound coming from the engine compartment that increases or rises(not in volume)with speed while driving.

It's not very loud and actually subtle would better decribe it, but it is only appearing during normal acceleration and disappears when the throttle/pedal is released and the car coasts. I have rolled down either window in an attempt to identify which side of the car it is emmiting from but its about that same for both sides.

My guess is it is something internally inside the ATX and may be normal. I did this weekend flush the trans fluid 3x and the fluid is nearly all fresh now. However, this didn't make the whirring stop or even reduce it.

Am I just hearing things or is this a harbinger???

Welcome! The sound you are describing sounds like alternator noise/whir. Go to someplace like advance auto parts or autozone, and have them check your charging system (free). Is the noise coming from your speakers??

Hmmm, ok. I will have the alt checked and no it's definitely not electrical/speaker noise.

Thanks.

Question:

Does the sound *only* change in pitch when driving, or does it also change when you rev the engine while in park?

If the sound changes with engine revs while in park, it isn't likely a transmission problem.

In this case, it will likely be something to do with a belt-driven accessory. As mentioned, the alternator can be a problem. Also note that the idler pulleys that help tension the serpentine belt can make noise when failing (I have one that's slowly failing now). Thankfully, they aren't very expensive, and are fairly easy to replace.

So are we ruling out the moosing? I never had the problem but could that not be it?

Mark

Moosing generally does not change in pitch or "speed" (if you will) regardless of actions.



So yes, I would rule out moosing..



Ray

Yeah, it only occurs when moving and generally follows the speed of the engine. It does however all but go away when coasting or not under load.

Is it possible it's the H2O pump?

I've read enough bad things about the H2O pumps, does it warrant replacing it even though it's not neccessary.

Like I said, I have no history of this car and it's maintenance history.

Thanks again...

The water pumps were redesigned, and you should be fine. In the 99-00 model years, they don't seem to be a problem. I wouldn't replace it unless it needs it.

If your waterpump is making NOISE it would be a first for me to have ever heard of.


Normally it will shatter with NO indication, other than a pegged temp guage.


with 95 on the clock, you would be BEST to change it, either way. The duratec pumps usually go at around 65, though some will report 80, 100 or more on the stock (you wanna run YOUR engine's life at someone else's good luck???)

Takes all of 20 minutes... it the MOST SIMPLE non-minor repair you can do on this engine. Use an updated (read: white plastic impellar) or metal impellar pump.. some have had issues with leaking around the shaft of the metal ones, though others live by them. either way, don't use the black plastic impellars...

napa @ ~$70....


EDIT: 99+ use the white plastic already, so you are good, but if you would feel better, then it is SO easy to do..


Ray

Phew, ok thanks...