quiet whine at start and idle

[blkonblki30]

so the 99 i30t has just developed a quiet whine at start and idle, it gets almost unnoticable once the car is warm. but while you can hear it, it even increases in pitch as the rpm's do during a light rev. im thinkin water pump, sounds like its comin from the pully side. im not a real experienced mechanic so any help is much appreciated.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Use an automotive stephascope and listen to the pulleys

[blackmax23]

Sounds like either the water pump or power steering module. Does it get louder as you turn the steering wheel when in park? Listen closer and get back to us!

[Sentientbydesign]

Turning your wheels while in park makes the engine rev in order to turn the power steering pump meaning that all the other pulleys will also rev. That's not really going to tell you much.

I would inspect your belts for cracks and wear. If they (there are two) are in good condition, then it could be one of the pulleys or one of the pumps. The a/c idler pulley can be adjusted while the car is running, but please be very careful when doing it. Also, the threads are the reverse of normal.

The stethescope might help.

[blkonblki30]

checked the belts, all are good, they were replaced fairly recently. gotta get my hands on a stethoscope i guess. car is manual though, couldnt put it in park if i wanted to. thanks for the help, anymore is even more appreciated.

[Dracolove]

Well i have the same thing on my maxima but it was just interference from the engine coming through the speakers. Is your radio on or off when you listen to it? If its on try turning it off and see if you can hear it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Could it be A/C compressor whine?

[Sentientbydesign]

Minister, excellent suggestion. I completely forgot about that. They do whine especially when they start overheating.

[blkonblki30]

i do have the ****ty sound when AC is on, but i turned everything off to best hear it, and make sure it wasnt something simple. it just made it easier to hear the sound, lol. it doesnt sound too serious, im thinkin pully or water pump, the way the pitch increases with RPM's. its not disgustingly loud, but any enthusiast would notice it.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I think there is a belt for the PS and a belt for everything else?

If so, slip off the PS belt and start. If the noise stops you knowits not the ps pump/pully bearing

[scrymilkman34]

my maxima had the same problems. i knew exactly what it was and it was the power steering pump. i know numerous occurances from this happening to other people to so most likely it is the power stering poump