Car started making noise kind of hisssssss from engine

Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 104,500 MILES
Hi my car started making a kind of hisssss noise from engine. This happens when I travel for 30 miles on freeway and enter into city roads. Car does not make any noise when I first start. I observed this three times but not always. Can you please advice what could go wrong?

I will take it to mechanic but just wanted to get your opinion as well.


Thanks,
Prasad
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 7:10 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When noise occrs you need to find out where it is being emitted. We are not able to determine what is causing nosies so you need to be able to tel us its location.

Is the temperature gauge normal?
Do you have coolant losses issues?
Check the drive belts.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
DJCL
  • MECHANIC
  • 767 POSTS
Will it make the noise at idle or when giving it gas
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'm not sure about the location. It makes noise while running, with and without giving gas.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When noise starts, does it go away when vehicle is stopped with engine running?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No, noise stays on when I parked the vehicle. However noise go away when I turn off engine and start again. One thing is its not consistent. I observed the noise couple of times after long drives. The noise was there when I travelled one way and not in the way back.

Thank you.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Get a hose to act as stethoscope and try to locate the noise. Most likely to be drive belt related. Is noise coming from front of engine?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes it comes from front of the engine on left side. If it is drive belt related, what would be the cost to fix it? The timing belt is replaced around 6 months ago with the full kit.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Not the timing belt. Should be external drivebelts. Front of engine on left side is the alternator and power steering belts. Check their condition and tension. It could be a failing harmonic damper and cost would depend on what needs to be repaired/replaced. You need a local quote to be accurate.

Check the power steering fluid level and condition. Do you have any indicator lights showing in dash?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you. No idicator flashes currently.I will take it to mechanic, my concern is how soon should I take it to mechanic. Is it risky to drive having this kind of problem?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the noise is intermittent and not there all the time, it is not serious yet but it is always good to get problems rectified asap. You could have a failing alternator which can leave you stranded.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
PATRICKACURA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I took my car to local mechanic. They said its highly impossible to figure out the problem as the issue is not recreated. It's interesting that they did not think in the lines you guys think.
I'll take it different mechanic and see if they can diagnize

Thank you
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Monday, September 3rd, 2012 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
We are not sure of the noise being emittted so are only taking some guesses.

It could be the alternator as they can at times produce noises when the brushes are putting out too much sparks.
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Monday, September 3rd, 2012 AT 3:30 PM

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