Strange Whine/Screech Sound From Engine

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Arccos - 07 Mar 2007 06:10 GMT

Strange Whine/Screech Sound From Engine

So here's one I've never heard of before. I was wondering if anyone
could help me identify the potential problem, and if it's even worth
getting looked at.

When I just start my engine, or accelerate at higher speeds, my engine
seems to make a slight screeching sound similar to a worn brake pad.
It's almost a cross between that sound and fingers on a chalkboard. It
isn't very loud, and it's constant (instead of the "wink wink wink" I
usually associate with a loose belt).

Any ideas what it might be? I was worried it was engine grinding, but
I'm totally clueless. The oil is fine, and I threw in an extra quart
for good measure. It's been cold here in Illinois, but the car still
makes the sound if the engine is warmed up.

It's a Honda Civic LX '98, if that's at all useful.

Thanks for any ideas!
Alex

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Brent P - 07 Mar 2007 06:20 GMT

> When I just start my engine, or accelerate at higher speeds, my engine
> seems to make a slight screeching sound similar to a worn brake pad.
> It's almost a cross between that sound and fingers on a chalkboard. It
> isn't very loud, and it's constant (instead of the "wink wink wink" I
> usually associate with a loose belt).

> Any ideas what it might be?

Either a dying bearing or an intake leak of some sort. Since the car is
a '98 an intake leak should be throwing the MIL on. That leaves a
bearing. The question is which bearing. It could be in anything from a belt
idler to an accessory such as the power steering pump or alternator.

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Arccos - 07 Mar 2007 18:34 GMT

On Mar 7, 12:20 am, tetraethylleadREMOVET...@yahoo.com (Brent P)
wrote:

> In article <1173247838.246001.86...@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, Arccos wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> bearing. The question is which bearing. It could be in anything from a belt
> idler to an accessory such as the power steering pump or alternator.

Thanks for the help! Sounds like something like that is going to be
expensive and difficult to diagnose and fix. Is this one of the cases
where it's best to just let it continue to deteriorate until it can be
easily identified?

Thanks,
Alex

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Brent P - 07 Mar 2007 18:45 GMT

> Thanks for the help! Sounds like something like that is going to be
> expensive and difficult to diagnose and fix. Is this one of the cases
> where it's best to just let it continue to deteriorate until it can be
> easily identified?

Might be able to take the belts off and turn accessories by hand and see
if any feel rough or lose or make ugly noises. Might be early enough that
lubrication might be all that is required provided it is possible to do
it of course.

The cooling fan on my car had the bearing going it in, but it was of a
non-servicable design where I could have easily done more harm than good
opening it up to lube it, so I just let it be until it died.

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Tegger - 07 Mar 2007 12:00 GMT

"Arccos" <webmaster@landoflyrics.com> wrote in news:1173247838.246001.86500
@h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

> Strange Whine/Screech Sound From Engine
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> It's a Honda Civic LX '98, if that's at all useful.

There have been isues with other models and the A/C idler pulley.

Remove the A/C belt and see if the noise goes away.

Signature

Tegger

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Arccos - 07 Mar 2007 18:37 GMT

> "Arccos" <webmas...@landoflyrics.com> wrote in news:1173247838.246001.86500
> @h3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> --
> Tegger

If I don't take it in, I'll give that a shot. I did have some recent
problems with the fan system (now fixed), so maybe it's that.

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