High Pitched Whine

[Sprintst]

Hi guys, this is my first post so please bare with me if I forget something. I just bought a 2002 Vue with the v6 3.0 motor. I am in the process of giving it a full tune up. It has 142,000 km's or around 85,000 miles (I'm in Canada LOL ) I think it has already giving a t'stat code ( I had the dealer look it over before I bought it) and when he checked the code he mentioned something about the t'stat. They also told me I need a steering rack. Anyways, on my journey to get it fixed I noticed a very high pitched whine that goes away when I give it gas??? Any ideas what that may be? After reading up on this vehicle (awsome site b.t.w. ) I decided to change everything possible ie: timing belt, idler pulley,plugs water pump, t'stat and anything else you may know of that I forgot. Thanx alot and have a great day !

[fdryer]

The dealer suggesting the steering rack replacement may be the source of the noise if it isn't from a worn serpentine belt/tensioner. The power steering pump can whine as well as any other belt driven accessory; sometimes removing the belt and running the engine briefly (no water pump circulation) may isolate or eliminate the whine. Then hand turning each pulley to feel for smoothness or roughness may reveal a worn bearing, pump, etc.. A rack problem may be a leak at the ends that are covered by dust boots. Check them for oil leaks as an indication of either severe use by the previous owner or premature wear. Racks aren't repairable and neither are the pumps.

Before embarking on a timing belt project, you may want to review what's involved. Vues and L300's share the same 3.0L V6 engine so you may want to read the threads on the difficulty or ease (depending on your abilities) of maintaining cam timing just before belt replacement. Either renting cam fixtures or home made ingenuity is a requirement. There's a recent Vue post describing missed timing taking longer because of inattention to spring loaded cams turning when not fixed in their positions correctly. All good information. Some posts have excellent pictures too.

[Ritz]

Eventually, your wife is going to learn how to run faster and the whine won't go away when you give it the gas. Try jewelry. It works for me. :)

<rimshot>

Have someone pop the hood and listen closely when you give it the gas and see which of the belt driven accessories (or the idler pulley) is whining.

Best,

edit: oops. I should have read fdryer's post first. What he said. :)

[Sprintst]

Thanks for the info guys, I need to clarify the high whine noise. It is when I am driving and let go of the gas that the whine happens. As soon as I give it gas again the noise stops. Sounds like a pully somewhere dosen't it???? and if so how can I possibly know which one (there are several right?? ) which one would you check first?? Thanx again.

[VTchemist]

Your VUE has electric assisted steering. You've only got your alt, and AC and several pulley wheels.

You may have a failing water pump. As fdyer posted, the V6 engine in your VUE is not easy to work on. You have to take the intake manifold off to get to most everything.

My pump failed around 78,000 miles. I did have a leak, so it was easy to assign the blame.

Yours could be the waterpump bearings...

Before you commit to having it replaced, I'd recommend you have someone take a really good look at your alt and pulley wheels.

[Sprintst]

Thanx guys, I will not be doing the work myself and I got the vehicle for a good price (I hope) so I guess if I replace all the parts that have been mentioned I should be okay for a bit. Time will tell. This is my first Domestic vehicle in many many years so after I'm done I hope it does me well. Thanx for all your info. Hopefully I won't be back asking for help LOL.

[fdryer]

Your VUE has electric assisted steering.

Thanks for not beating up on me. :cool:


Hopefully I won't be back asking for help LOL. That's the way it should be! :arr: