'91 Integra whines like a truck

Just started doing this. A whine that sounds like a truck transmission.
It follows the speed of the engine. It sounds like it's coming from the
right front engine area (as you face the engine compartment). I figured
belt? water pump? 145K. Anybody have a clue who's had a similar
problem? I did an exorcism last night, so the possesion freaks please
stay away ....

 

When my car started doing that, it was the AC Idler pulley.

Other culprits include:

Alternator
P/S Pump
A/C Compressor
Timing belt tensioner

Use a mechanics stethoscope to trace the source. The T-Belt tensioner
cannot be diagnosed this way though, its covered by the t-belt cover.

t

 

timing belt just about to fail. stop running it immediately! replace
belt [and pump while you're in there]. go to tegger.com for links on
how to do the job yourself. buy the helm manual as well.

 

Did not know timing belts gave you a warning - good info. Had one to
go on an 80 accord - on starting - no valve damage.

 

only if you're lucky! if they're slack, they're quieter & less likely
to make noise.

 

Into Honda tomorrow. I had the belt changed at 90K. I thought after
100K no more miantenance was needed...;-)

 

I changed the brushes on the alt. in the summer. Wondered if it could
be the alt?

 

as I stated in my previous post, its all guesswork until you use a
stethoscope to find the whine.

About $6 at the local surplus store here in winnipeg... gotta love
princess auto...

But to answer your question, yes it could be the alternator. Did you do
the bearings when you did the brushes? What kind of shape was the stator
in? (copper wire thingy that surrounds the center shaft). On my 98
civic, the shaft started diggin into the stator, thus destroying it. It
had a bit of a whining noise.... Ended up picking up a different
alternator at the wrecker for $90, it had 118000kms on it...

t

 

I changed the brushes in situ from below with a one eye one hand
access.Solved the problem at the time, last summer. I understood you'd
have to drop the axle to replace the alt. My view was very limited.
There could have been a monkey living in there.....waiting to hear from
my good $$$ friends at Honda....

 

It wuz the AC idler pulley $43 part, $109 work...

 

It was the AC idler pulley. I mentioned that (from your suggestion)
when i dropped off the wheeelz. They must think ima frickin' genious.
$43 part, $109 labor. Which means maybe a $10 part and somethin I
coulda dun meeself. Just didn't want to. Cheers & HH..

 

Thanks for the feedback!

Mike

 

I did the A/C idler when I got back from a 13000km roadtrip. It was a $50
(canadian) part, and was a bit of a bitch, but not that bad. I think they
kinda ripped you off on the labour, but whatever, at least its fixed
now....

By the way, a mechanics stethoscope woulda totally saved you your labour
on this, that is how I found my AC Idler pulley....

t

 

If the noise happens to come from the left of engine, I would think
it's the distributor. If you take and cap off and find shavings, then
your distributor needs replacement.