Engine whine

[drock87]

So lately, my car has been making a "whine" sound from the engine. It is louder when cold, but never completely goes away. I am paranoid it is a bearing spun somewhere, but there is no knocking or any of that sort. I did advance my timing recently, but I haven't experienced any pinging that I am aware of. Thoughts???

[vangremlin]

Does the whine vary with RPM?  I've got a whine in my engine, I'm pretty certain it is a vacuum leak that I haven't been able to track down yet. 

[drock87]

It does. My big fear is that its a bearing somewhere only because its a similar sound to my 500SL that turned out to be a spun bearing in the transmission oil pump. That was costly...but then again, its a 500SL.

[AMC of Houston]

Lots of things on the front of the engine that can whine.  Water pump, idler bearings A/C clutch bearing, alternator bearing, P/S pump, etc.   Get a mechanics stethoscope (or use a long screwdriver as one) and try to see exactly what is whining (without getting the screwdriver caught up in anything spinning!!).

[eaglefreek]

Pull all your belts off and run the engine to rule out any of the accessories or pulleys.