Loud whistle/whining noise from front of motor. 34k

[nimski62]

belt tensioner? It's like a supercharger whine.. Very loud and has gotten a lot worse in the past 5k miles. Or alternator whine? What do you guys think?

[KryptoniK]

Hmmm not a 100% diagnosis but maybe power steering?

[serumk]

Yeah, it could be a lot of things. Changes with RPM "like a supercharger," I assume?

[mad70sx]

Low on power steering fluid?

I have the same noise,possibly. Can you pinpoint where in front the noise is coming from? I hear mine the loudest if I put my ear right in front of the passenger side headlight. Dealership said I might be low on power steering fluid,which it wasn't. When I had them look at it,they of course said it was normal. It sounds like the serpentine belt or tensioner to me. I will be replacing the belt some time soon and hopefully the noise will go away.

Funny you mentioned it sounds like its supercharged. Mine is so loud I actually had a dude pull up beside me asking if it was. I was tempted to lie.

[NY07RS4]

One way to diangnose is to remove the belt to see if the whine goes away. (Remove belt, start car & lsiten). Sucks to do that much work but it will answer your question. Unless it is a bearing slowly going bad (if it's an idler pulley, harmonic balancer etc, you'll know from removing the belt as well. )

I had this issue with one of my previous cars (2001 E55). Thought it was the belt...it was actually my cams! Not the bearings either, the lobes had developed weird grooves on them (no cllue how, no debris was found anywhere in the engine) and the whine got pregressivly worse. I had them swapped out and the whine was gone. Was an expensive fix for me at the time...since i was out of warranty.

[BLK_A4]

Just tell people you have a supper charger.... But my guess would be belt tensoner. Dose it squeal while idile?

[nimski62]

Just tell people you have a supper charger.... But my guess would be belt tensoner. Dose it squeal while idile?

I know what squeals sound like, but it sounds more like a rrrr at idle with a slight whistle and then when revved its a LOUD whistle.

Its def not power steering bc i know what that sounds like. and it doesnt sound like a classic SQUEEEEEEL belt tensioner going like on other cars that ive dealt with.. its simply a whine/whistle like a s/c... and it deff sounds like it has an s/c.

[sakimano]

accidental PES install?

[Audi0s]

My alt belt tensioner whistles like that only on cold start, with temps below 50. Most likely that, simple fix if youre inclined.

[Fade2Black]

Belt tensioner is my guess

[b spot]

I'm having the exact same problem and have had it in twice. From googling the crap out of it most people say their serpentine belt was the fix.

[evil_O]

accidental PES install?

Ha Ha... that is funny.

[SoCalS4Avant]

You can hear it outside specifically? Or is it inside only that you're hearing it? That makes a bit of difference. If you are hearing it inside, not out, I'd say more of an electrical issue, otherwise hit up the belt and see if that's the trick.

[Philosophyy]

Whistle Tips?



Whooo Whoooo

[NogaroX04]

I recently replaced my serpentine belt on my 04 S4, 47K Miles. I have been hearing the whine intermittently as well. My guess would be belt/tensioner. BUT, I wouldnt say it was a bad belt b/c mine is brand new. Maybe I misadjusted the tensioner ...??

[KrunkMan]

Whistle Tips?



Whooo Whoooo

It's only in da monin

[rlarsen462]

LMFAO Bubb Rubb.

[jsquillz22]

accidental PES install?

that was my guess

[joeycuccaro]

Belt Tensioner. I have come across a few of these that needed replaced on a couple of S4's.

[WinterRunner]

accidental PES install?

lol

[avant1]

had the same problem. started with a cool supercharger whine noise. till one day my alternator light came on! looked in the engine bay and my serpentine belt was shredded.
took the fornt end apart to replace the belt and found out that the idler pulley seized and melted the plastic roller. the only thing that was left was the seized bearing.
goodluck!

[Bfiver]

I wonder if you could check this out by spraying some lubricant on the pully or the tensioner or even the belt ?? I also have this ghost supercharger!

[Sunny4]

I went out of town for thanks giving weekend and came back to start my car this morning. Be it, I live in Chicago and it finally got to like 35 degree's. I had this S/C whining noise this morning...it went away after the car warmed up. I wonder if its the belt tensioner? First time hearing this too.

[Bfiver]

yea i live in central new york and i havnt really heard this until the temps started to drop

[Mr. Corey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnzw_i4YmKk


whooooooooooo woooooooooooo

[Mr. Corey]

yea i live in central new york and i havnt really heard this until the temps started to drop

Where you live????

[drew]

only in da moanin....LOL

[Ynnekdude]

accidental PES install?

LOL


+1 rep for the lols!!!!!!!

[ALWAYS4UDI]

you're supposed to be up anyways cookin breakfast

my guess is a seized belt tensioner. take a gander at your serp belt. my old 3.0 seized, wined, then later broke on me.

[evil_O]

Power steering fluid. If it is low it would cause the whine, especially on start up and turning at low speeds. Just something to check.

[manhattanprjkt8]

its the serp belt and pulley, i had a similar issue ended in a snapped belt and smoke flying all over the place...

it's not a terrible thing to fix, about $400 parts and labor (with new pulley)

[road race s4]

I wonder if you could check this out by spraying some lubricant on the pully or the tensioner or even the belt ?? I also have this ghost supercharger!

Spraying stuff on the belt/pully/tensioner is not a good idea.

[MonkeyBiz]

belt tensioner? It's like a supercharger whine.. Very loud and has gotten a lot worse in the past 5k miles. Or alternator whine? What do you guys think?

Tea pot mod...gotta be. 100%...

[timeboy]

I went out of town for thanks giving weekend and came back to start my car this morning. Be it, I live in Chicago and it finally got to like 35 degree's. I had this S/C whining noise this morning...it went away after the car warmed up. I wonder if its the belt tensioner? First time hearing this too.

I have the exact same issue..