Got a strange high pitched whine from my engine what best describes as the sound of alternator whine over the speakers but is not. It is related to the revs of the engine and when cold the sound is somewhat louder. When driving the car it is clearly audible up to 3500 RPM. First I thought it was the fan and/ or alternator bearing as I could feel noticeable clearance by pushing the fan which is mounted on the alternator. I replaced the alternator for a revised one and installed the RS fan hub pulley. So far so good but still a whine. Bummer. Further checking with a stethoscope it seems that the whine is originating from behind the cam cover. Any ideas before tearing down the engine? Could this be a chain/ sprocket/ chain guide noise and what could caused have this? The engine has 178.000 kilometers, is not using any oil at all or smoking, no ratting chain noises at start-up etc. Engine oil is recently replaced and is Mobil1 0W40. I do not think the engine has been opened recently well at least it does not shown any signs. I just have the car, and at first i did not really noticed thought it was the alternator but now it is annoying.

 

did you pull away(or tie back) the fan belt sensor wheel? The bearing is known to get dry and noisy in those. Mine made a high pitched whine on start up, then would go away.

If your careful, you can pull the wheel away while the car is running. Better to just pull away and tie back without motor running. Your alt light will go on, but the whine might go away.

Details on P-car workshop.

http://p-car.com/diy/roller/

 

Thanks for you thought but since I got a RS pulley on the alternator one belt has been deleted and so did the roller.

 

Check Power Steering Fluid level. Maybe power steering pump? Is it a high pitch sound?

 

Checked that too with a stethoscope, no whine..

 

Power steering would trip a check engine light. (ask me how I know)
Curious if there is any "wear" on the fan shroud or fan blade? In any other car, I would mist water around until it silenced to determine where it is coming from. May not hurt if you have a leaf blower on stand-by to dry it off.