I've started to get this engine whine, similar sound to a supercharger. It is directly related to the RPM, in any gear, and in neutral.

What could it be? At first i thought it was the airbox, but i never had this sound before.

 

alternator.

 

thanks! You sound pretty confident.

I have noticed over the winter my voltage to drop close to 12V when i have my heater, heated seats, heated mirrors, rear defroster, headlights, fogs and radio all on. The voltage would climb back up if I rev the engine. I havent noticed the voltage to drop recently, I guess because I have a lot less load on all at once.

My car is 1999.5 and havent had the alternator changed. My timing belt was replaced at 100,000Km and im at 160,000km right now.

Would it be the actual alternator, or the tensioner?

 

usually a whine like that is the alternator. are you located in Mississauga? I work at a shop in Etobicoke.

 

just found out it could also be the tensioner as someone from another forum suggested. I'll replace that and see it goes away...

I also found this VWVortex.com - DIY Belt Tensioner Pulley A4 1.8t

"You can tell if your Belt Tensioner is going bad or is bad if you hear a whining sound when your start your car or your car is at idle..."

hope this will help others in the future.

 

Let us know how it goes, in case someone else runs into a similar problem!


-Nick

 

im kind of doubting that its a pully, since it says the tensioner only whines at idle. you're reving it and its still doing it.

 

I was wondering that too. He probably didnt bother mentioning it. Since the tensioner pulley holds the serpentine belt in place, as I rev the engine, the belt would turn faster, hence the pulley on the tensioner would spin faster, and will whine louder.

If it isnt it.....It's gonna have to wait till next month. My upcoming down deposit for the house is due this end of month so Im **** outta luck.

 

I have never heard a tensioner sound like this. I understand why you want it to the tensioner sO bad because it's cheaper though. Hey I could be wrong. Let us know if that fixes it.

 

OP: i have to agree with Janz3n... that sounds like one thing- the alternator.
when the alternator clutch goes it will sound like that. you may think you are saving money by trying the cheap route first, but shotgunning parts into your car is never going to save you money. if you want to be sure, go get your alternator checked out, but i would be stunned if it turned out to be anything other than that.