Whining

[braindeadracefan]

... from the car, not from me My new Firebird has a bit of a whine to it, and I was wondering if that's normal or if there's something I should look for under the hood. It doesn't feel like there's anything wrong, but the noise drives me a little crazy when the radio isn't drowning it out.

[Steel2686]

Is it real loud? My wife had a 2000 Buick Regal with the 3800. It had a slight whine, but nothing abnormal. Every GM V6 I've owned (3800, 3.4 Twin Dual Cam, 4.3 Vortec, etc...) all had some kind of whine. Not real sure the cause, but it was always apparent.

[RocKin1967]

might be your power steering starting to die?

[braindeadracefan]

Is it real loud? My wife had a 2000 Buick Regal with the 3800. It had a slight whine, but nothing abnormal. Every GM V6 I've owned (3800, 3.4 Twin Dual Cam, 4.3 Vortec, etc...) all had some kind of whine. Not real sure the cause, but it was always apparent.

No, it's not very loud... guess it's normal then. Any way to get rid of it, or at least minimize it?

[Steel2686]

I never found a way... A friend of mine told me it was the serpentine belt in those engines that whine. Makes sense enough. Just put a supercharger on it and you'll have an excuse for listening to a whine.

[braindeadracefan]

Just put a supercharger on it and you'll have an excuse for listening to a whine.

Guess I'll have to just pretend until I can afford one, lol.

[Christopherrr]

my friend's 3.8 camaro has the whine; all my express 4.3 v6 vans at work whine. I think it's either the belt or the altenator...not sure myself. I don't remember this whine from my old 3.1 though.

[Steel2686]

Just keep an eye (or ear) on the sound. If it's the noise I think you mean, it's just the same one I had in all my past GM 6's. Enjoy the car.

Edit: Now that you mention it, Chris, my Mom's old 3.1 never whined either. Maybe that engine had a different belt design? Not sure. I think it's the belts doing it though. No worries.

[braindeadracefan]

Thanks guys, I will keep an eye on it, but I feel better now.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Yeah, mine does the same thing. It got even louder after I put the Whisper Lid on it. I just pretend it's my killer twin-turbo setup whining. LOL Hey, I gotta do something till I can afford an LS-1.

[Trash man]

gm fuel pumps are loud, they whin could be just that. nothing to wry bout till it getts louder.

[braindeadracefan]

Just wanted to update that it turned out to be the belt. No more whine!

[Z Ya Later]

Yeah, my V6 has a whine...esp. when the turbo is under full boost lol

[Steel2686]

Just wanted to update that it turned out to be the belt. No more whine!

Good deal. Glad you found the problem. GM sixes have a tendency to be whiny, but if it was louder than normal, the belt sounds like a logical reason.

[braindeadracefan]

Yeah, my V6 has a whine...esp. when the turbo is under full boost lol

Smarta**!