Alright...got a possibly serious issue going on right now. The wife gets home moments ago (no, that's not the REAL problem) and tells me the car is whining terribly and shuddering at stops. I know the reason for the latter (motor mount) but the former is unknown and undetectable by me.

There is a ugly whirring sound, maybe even a whine coming from the engine bay that corresponds to the revs. I haven't a clue as to what it is, and with the hood up i still cannot tell. It seems to be coming from the engine itself, maybe under the valve cover, but is more likely one of the items connected by the belt...but i cannot pin point which.

Any ideas? She didn't do this this AM when i drove her, but happened the moment the wife got in the car to go out. Obviously, this didn't stop my wife from driving it that way, but she immediately told me when she got home.

The video is below. Only things i've done to the engine is add the K&N (should i go back to stock before i see the dealer), the front STB and the ZZP "add-a-wire" between the Alt & PowerBlock. The last two were done within the last two weeks, and the problem just started today. In my eyes, is unrelated to anything i've done.

 

what is that rakin leaves sound? hard to hear anything beyond that

 

Probably the hail coming down...i guess i know what i'm listening for so it's clear as a bell to me.

 

At the 30s mark it's really noticeable...working on another video at idle w/o the hail.

Here's a better, shorter version sin hail at idle:

 

I have heard similar whines from small vacuum leaks, but it sure sounds like a slightly mismatched set of gears meshing. Sorry to say it sounds like a transmission problem

Good luck and let us know what the dealer says.

 

my trans whines when i rev it. didnt do it when i first got it but for past 8 months it has. the higher the rev the louder the whine. nothing wrong though from what chevy told me.

 

I've got this posted elsewhere and got the same answer. ***k me!

It's funny...i was re-reading the "shift-kit" post this AM wondering it i should attempt it. I've got the parts, just don't want to mess anything up Glad i didn't!

Wondering if i should have it towed to the dealer or drive it there. Ideas?

This doesn't seem to be affecting the "performance" of the vehicle at the moment, but i haven't really gotten on her for fear of something blowing up in my face.

 

If the tranny needs to be replaced, insist on a new converter, once floating bits of garbage from a damaged trans get in the fluid, the converter is on borrowed time and when one goes, almost 100% of the time, they take out the other. On the shift kit, nothing wrong with changing out the springs and spacers, but (IMHO) adding washers is a bad idea. All the do is firm up part throttle shifts and can lead to breaking hard parts. Does nothing for the speed of the shift, just the feel of the engagement.

 

Buffalo, does this happen equally while rolling in gear at the same rpm range and certain speed and or in P or N going up through and back down through the same rpm range?

Kevin

 

Mine does this with two different reasons. The tranny will do it in gear, always has, annoys the crap out of me, but it isn't quite as loud as yours. The other, is my A/C compressor. The compressor, when engages would make that same sound, the volume on mine would be a little less I think though. I could make it go away by just turning off the defrost or A/C.

 

did ya check your power steering fluid? i know that pump whines like a bitch when its low.... deffinetly worth a shot before ya play with the tranny.

 

Both while in Drive in any gear and in Neutral/Park.

My tranny never had the whine that everyone else complained about. And i made sure to turn off all accessories just to be able to limit the possibilities.

I did and she is a little low, but still registering on the dipstick. However, i get no extra moan or whine while turning the wheels. I'm going to top her off to see if that helps.

 

OK, i went out again a few minutes ago and the PS wasn't even registering on the dipstick now. A couple hours ago she was at the bottom of the crosshatched area...now bone dry. No puddles or wet spots under the car. I topped it off to the "full" mark and will check it again tomorrow AM. Regardless, this isn't the first time i needed to add PS fluid in this amount...only last time there wasn't a sound to be heard...i noticed during a "regular maintenance" type check.

Sound has subsided, but can still be faintly heard. Still gonna have her checked out this week...possibly tomorrow night if it holds steady til the AM.

Still wondering why the sound didn't increase/change while steering or going lock-to-lock?

 

It's probaly a ps hose. There is a recall on some and not others, however I've seen 4 power steering hoses replaced last week on 06 Imp's that did not have the recall.
Get it checked soon because that part has to be ordered and may be hard to get in 1 day or 2. None have noticed a fluid leak either. Below is not the recall but a bulletin.


Document ID# 1870206


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Subject: Power Steering Fluid Leak (Replace Hose and Clamps or Pipe/Hose Assembly) #06-02-32-014 - (11/01/2006)



Models: 2006 Chevrolet Impala, Impala SS, Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo SS

2005-2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Only




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condition
Some customers may comment on a fluid leak. Upon investigation, the technician may find that the power steering cooler pipe/hose assmbly is either split or leaking around the clamps. The leak generally occurs during cold start conditions.

Cause
The cause of this leak may be due to the higher pressures generated in cold temperatures. These pressures may exceed the strength of the hose or clamps.

Correction
Use the appropriate repair procedure below based on the engine application of the vehicle being serviced.

V6 Engines




The hose section (1) where the leak can occur is shown above. On V6 applications, the hose fittings are constant tension clamps, therefore, the hose and clamps can be replaced. Use the procedure listed below.

Raise and support the vehicle.
Place a drain pan under the vehicle.
Remove the hose clamps.
Remove the section of hose from the power steering cooler pipe/hose assembly.
Slide the new clamps onto the new section of hose.
Install the new section of hose with clamps to the power steering cooler pipe/hose assembly.
Position the new clamps and tighten until the torque caps break off.
Clean any fluid residue from under the vehicle.
Lower the vehicle.
Check the power steering fluid level and bleed the system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding in SI.
V8 Engines




The hose section (1) where the leak can occur is shown above. On V8 applications, the fittings are crimped, therefore, the power steering cooler pipe/hose assembly must be replaced. Use the procedure listed below.

Raise and support the vehicle.
Place a drain pan under the vehicle.
Remove the power steering cooler pipe/hose from the retaining clips on the frame.



Disconnect both stabilizer shaft links from the shaft.



Remove the left side engine mount lower nuts from the frame.



Remove the left side transmission mount lower nuts from the frame.



Remove the right side engine mount lower nuts from the frame.
Support and raise the transmission. Raise the transmission about 51-76 mm (2-3 in).
Support the rear of the frame using an adjustable jackstand.
Remove the rear frame bolts from frame.
Lower the rear of the frame no more than 76 mm (3 in).



Remove the right side engine mount bracket bolts.
Remove the right side engine mount and bracket from the vehicle.
Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe/hose from the gear.
Remove the power steering cooler pipe/hose clamp from the return line.
Disconnect the power steering cooler pipe/hose from the return line.
Remove the power steering cooler pipe/hose assembly from the vehicle.
Install the power steering cooler pipe/hose assembly to the vehicle.
Connect the power steering cooler pipe/hose to the return line and install clamp.
Connect the power steering cooler pipe/hose to the gear.
Install the right side engine mount and bracket to the vehicle.
Install the right side engine mount bracket bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the engine mount bracket bolts to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

Raise the rear of the frame into place.
Install the rear frame bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the frame bolts to 160N·m(118 lb ft).

Remove the jackstand from under the frame.
Lower the transmission and remove support.
Install the left side transmission mount lower nuts to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 47N·m(35 lb ft).

Install the right side engine mount lower nuts to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

Install the left side engine mount lower nuts to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

Connect both stabilizer shaft links to the shaft.
Install the power steering cooler pipe/hose to the retaining clips on the frame.
Clean any fluid residue from under the vehicle.
Remove the drain pan.
Lower the vehicle.
Check the power steering fluid level and bleed the system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding in SI.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

25793853
Pipe, P/S Fluid Cooling (V6)
1

25793936
Clamp (V6)
2

15876377
Pipe, P/S Fluid Cooling (Impala, Monte Carlo) (V8)
1

15876378
Pipe, P/S Fluid Cooling (Grand Prix) (V8)
1

89020661 (US)

89021186 (Canada)
Fluid, Hydraulic Power Steering
1 container for V8

¼ container for V6


Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

E9427* (V6)
P/S Cooler Pipe/Hose -- Repair
0.5 hr

E8906 (V8)
P/S Cooler Pipe/Hose -- Replace
1.2 hrs**

*This is a unique labor operation number for bulletin use only. It will not be published in the Labor Time Guide.

**This time is updated from the current Labor Time Guide. The next update of the Labor Time Guide will contain this change.




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID# 1870206

 

Thanks Silver. Is that the one that only applied to certain states that hit 4*F on a regular basis, or something like that?

I'll be adding that to the list of things i'll need to get addressed ASAP. The ****ing rear defroster hasn't worked in 2 months...but it worked when it was in the shop and on the ride home from the dealer on the last trip. Hasn't worked since. And now that they finally have my Keyless Entry parts in, i'll have to get there soon.

 

Nothing about certion states, just when cold.

 

Well as you'll read in my post about this recall. My dealer took 5 hours to complete. Don't know if the mecanic knew what he was doing or not, but I sure bet he was cursing how tight the V8 sits in the engine compartment. LOL. Plus to boot, I decided to check the PS fluid level just to see if it was ok (I don't trust others working on my car, cause most of the time others just don't care!) and sure enough the level was just registering on the very bottom of the dip stick. Hense the old saying....if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!

 

Yeah i guess i better get mine in... They keep sending me notices in the mail and i do have some moisture on that pass side of the K member thats been there for a while that thought was an axle seal...

 

By the way, for all you guys and gals out there, I have not seen a car come in for the recall itself. The cars I've seen with problems were not under the recall and came in because they lost power steering all together, not a fluid leak.

 

Great! I'll be doing this SOON, i guess.