A Couple Weird Noises...

[MindSpinZX2]

While driving at low speeds, you can hear a "whirring" sound, which kinda varies when you turn the wheel, and sometimes stops completely. Also, when I turn the car off it squeaks really high-pitched for a second or two, after the engine stops...I'm thinking I may have power steering issues in the near future? Or something pulley-related? Totally stock, btw.

[j0hnZ]

vacuum leak...

from just random whirring sounds and high pitchedness.

[MindSpinZX2]

vacuum leak...

from just random whirring sounds and high pitchedness.

Really? I fixed the pvc hose leak when i got the car, it's not doing what it was then..

Where might this vacuum leak be?

[j0hnZ]

Theres a bunch of connections in the back of the manifold spray them with wd-40 with the engine running and see if your idle raises.

Does your engine idle increase at random times sometimes?

You say you fixed the pcv hose leak when you bought the car how long ago was this and have you checked it again? Theres a guy on here that had to replace his twice very soon from each other.

[MindSpinZX2]

I bought the car a year ago, but I actually fixed the hose bout 6 mos ago, the car idles high occasionally, usually for a little while after start up it idles at 1.2-1.5k or so for a few minutes.. also bogs down at stoplights as if i had a udp, but I don't. Sound right?

[arkarsk]

I don't think its a vacuum hose. Sounds more like air in your powersteering pumps lines. Double check its fluid

[MindSpinZX2]

would the fluid be low if there was air in there?

[arkarsk]

Not sure, there would be if there was a leak in the system though. The haynes manual mentions something about the fluid changing color/consistency if there is air in the lines though.

I'd recommend just bleeding the system - ATF fluid costs like $3 for a fill up of the PS fluid, if that doesn't help then atleast you've changed the fluid and ruled out a possible problem (unless your lines are leaking ofc).

Edit: Before going through all that effort though, a good way to check if it's your power steering is to jack up the front end of the car and just turn the wheel left and right while the car's on. If you hear anything while turning, you'll know what's wrong.

Edit2: You may also want to check the condition of your serpentine belt and replace it if necessary

[mechtech]

Could be the serpentine belt system. Old dry belt or a bad pulley somewhere.
Even an alternator could do this.
Take the belt off and see if it makes the noise.
Turn things by hand [with the engine off] and seeif anything is obviously puked.

[MindSpinZX2]

Could be the serpentine belt system. Old dry belt or a bad pulley somewhere.
Even an alternator could do this.
Take the belt off and see if it makes the noise.
Turn things by hand [with the engine off] and seeif anything is obviously puked.

Funny you should say that, mech. Monday night I sprayed just a little silicone lube on the belt while running to see if that would help. Done it before, never hurt anything..but this time the belt popped off, as soon as the lube hit it. But, it did still make the high pitched whining sound when I turned the car off. I didn't notice the whirring noise, but that's probably because I was focused on driving the car a 1/2 mile or so with no ps. Everything felt fine as far as pulleys, from what I could tell. Any ideas?

I got the belt back on, car is running fine, but the noises remain.

[arkarsk]

Funny you should say that, mech. Monday night I sprayed just a little silicone lube on the belt while running to see if that would help.

Other than the stuff I suggested, i'm out of ideas. But to my knowledge lubing up your belt in any way is a bad idea. The point of the belt is to turn the pulleys, if there is less friction the belt is more likely to slip and thus won't work as well.

[MindSpinZX2]

This seems true, and I'm not gonna do it again, lol..but seriously in my old car I sprayed a shitload of wd40 on my squeaky belt one time and it was totally fine. So I didn't think it would hurt anything..but this time, BAM..as soon as the lube hit it. It was weird..at least it gave me the chance to call off work last night, hehe