Constant whine... Engine related?

[MrNeil]

Recently bought a high mileage '98 110 Tdi. 360k. Has been well looked after. Regular as clockwork servicing. Only thing is the ubiquitous whine... Not being an expert of any kind I did various searches. Gearbox, diffs, transfer box etc etc.

Whine is fairly high pitched. In all gears. Building in intensity with engine speed. Stops when the clutch is pressed. Revving the engine with the clutch in makes the noise.

Not gearbox? Not diffs? Not transfer box?

Something more directly engine related? Turbo maybe?

Any suggestions?

[Disco Muppet]

SWMBO in the passenger seat? :p

On a serious note...
Does it sound like a belt or a pulley perhaps? although they're more of a squeal.

[MrNeil]

It could be described as a squeal I suppose. Maybe even like a squealing drill... Did a sound recording on my phone on the way home from work today but it was super distorted. I'll try again tomorrow.

[Blade74]

Congrats in the new car!
Definitely check all your belts as a first check.
Other than that I'm not sure what it could be but sure someone on here can help you get to the bottom of the noise.
Lots of good experiences people.

[Loubrey]

Hi MrNeil,

300Tdi - my first guess would be the serpentine belt tension pulley bearing, even the clutch in thing sounds familiar (no load on idle, squeal when revved).:D

Might be a replaceable bearing (it is on the Td5), but I've always ended up replacing the tensioner itself (they seem to go on or around every 80,000km - 100,000km). Reasonably cheap and easy fix (much cheaper if you have means to mess with the bearing itself).

Discovery 300 TDI fan belt tensioner - Also Defender on eBay! (http://compare.ebay.com.au/like/280411028772?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes)

Cheers,

Lou

[landcol]

I've the exact same problem on my td5 not sure if it could be different bit it's the fan roller bearing on timing case. It's getting worse but keep putting money into other things, can't wait to hear the noise difference when fixed..

[Tank]

Check the turbo hoses for leaks or splits, regards Frank.

[MrNeil]

Thanks for the pointer Loubrey. I'm going to try spray misting with water at the weekend to see where that gets me. This post :-

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/88255-300-tdi-serpentine-belt-sqealin.html#post1073317

Suggests spraying the serpentine belt with water can help pinpoint if it's a belt or bearing problem. That's if it's a serpentine problem of course!

[Loubrey]

Hopefully it is as its a very easy inexpensive fix.

I've owned 3 no 300Tdi's in the past and the symptoms you describe is almost an exact match for that tensioner bearing. Obviously if the car doesn't make the sound when stationary (idling or revving) it might be mechanical, but lets keep fingers crossed its not!

Tank's suggestion is good as well, but you usually feel the drop in power almost before you hear the turbo hose split.

If the water thing doesn't give you a definitive answer, try some WD40 or similar on the tensioner bearing (or as close as you can get to the sealed bearing and avoid the belt itself). If it gives you even a hint of quieting down (it won't last) you've found your whine.

Cheers,

Lou

[MrNeil]

Well then. Progress of a sort. Spraying water on the belt had no effect. Baby powder neither. Sprayed WD40 into the bearing (I think. I might give it another bash later on) didn't quieten it either. I did notice a split in the top hose (the right angled one) so I'll replace the set. Worth spending a bit more on silicone hoses?

But I don't think the whine is coming from the hose. Sounds like it's coming from the serpentine belt area. Tempted to change the belt tensioner regardless.

[MrNeil]

So I squirted a bit more WD40 in. No difference. Made an audio recording too.

https://soundcloud.com/natangora/engine-squeal

Just squirted a whole load more WD40 into the tensioner bearing. Will leave it for 10 minutes then try again.

The more I listen to it though the more it sounds like it could be coming from the area just behind and to the left of the serpentine belt.

For what it's worth I also took a few photos of the hose with the split in it

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/77yz090zitg9s9p/id0Hm_YtDn

[dero]

I had this trouble with mine, turned out to be the alternator.
I would strongly suggest you remove the serpentine belt and check every thing that runs off it , as any one of them will leave you stranded until you get the new part .
Good luck

[110 Pete]

Firstly congrats on your new truck! :D

Does your model have aircon on a seperate narrow belt?? If so check that the main clutch pully on the AC compressor isn't really noisy, also check the two other AC pullies.

As also suggested, remove Serpentine belt and check all the ancillaries and make sure the bearings rool smoothly with no rough spots in the bearings :)

Cheers

Pete

[mudder110]

hi I had the same took off the serpentine belt and cleaned it with dish washing liquid fixed it cheers

[schuy1]

As suggested the quickest and best way is remove the belt and check each unit that runs on it for smooth rotation. Each unit must rotate with out any hint off roughness, binding or bearing movement or play, which will cause the belt to run off line, the alternator and the power steer pump should have mild resistance when turned but no binding at all. Do not leave it, check now! If ignored not only will you be stranded, the belt will shred and destroy stuff like bonnet insulation. ( dont ask how I know! :( )
Cheers Scott

[MrNeil]

Apologies for the very late follow up on this but, yes, it was the belt tensioner pulley. I had it in the garage late last year where the mechanic faffed about just changing the bearing but eventually, I think ended up putting a full new part in. I just had the timing belt done last month, by a different (experienced with landys) mechanic who re - replaced it as part of the timing belt change. As a slight aside it looked like the last time the belt was changed the seals might not have been done. They were pretty damn sludgey. Which makes me think the belt tensioner may not have been changed either. It's been a good learning process for me.

When you change the timing belt make sure the seals and tensioner get done at the same time.

[BilboBoggles]

I've the exact same problem on my td5 not sure if it could be different bit it's the fan roller bearing on timing case. It's getting worse but keep putting money into other things, can't wait to hear the noise difference when fixed..
On the td5 be very careful with this bearing. If the bearing is worn or vibrates it will flog out the timing case cover. That part is expensive, but most mechanics will only be able to replace by doing the head gasket which adds a huge cost. If you catch it in time, it's a 300 part, if not then plan on a few thousand or more.