High-Pitched "Whirring" noise when on throttle at low rpms -2000 Lincoln Town Car 44k miles

[jzeller]

Hi all,

For the last few weeks I noticed when accelerating after a turn at low speeds my engine/front end area would make a high pitched whirring noise at low speed/rpm. The best way I can describe it is as if a metal part was making contact while spinning. It would go away once speed/rpm increased. I thought it may be my front passenger brake pad based on the sound and area I was hearing it from, however I noticed the other day while running the car in park, if I push on the gas I hear the same sound at first, but once the pedal is pushed more it goes away.

I was also thinking maybe it's the power steering system but I don't see how that would make sense in park. Maybe the water pump? It's original but the car only has 44,000 miles and I've had no cooling issues. Also, for context, it is winter in NY and if temp has anything to do with it, this started once temps got below 50° a few months ago. It seems to be more common now and it is also much colder now, usually between 20-30°.

The only known issue engine related is some oil residue was found in one of the spark plugs during a recent change however it doesn't appear to be burning oil and both coolant and oil seem clean during checks (no noticeable mixing). Spark plugs, belt, tensioner, pulley, and coils all replaced within the last 1000 miles. Car also gets driven only 2,000 miles per year. Has an emissions leak that has been diagnosed as a fuel filler neck pinhole by a Lincoln dealership.

Any insight is appreciated! I'm taking the car to my mechanic for inspection next month so I wanna look into possibilities beforehand.

2000 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series Versailles Edition with 44,000 miles.

 

[lenmar2c]

I would suspect one if your pulleys on your serpentine belt. Look at them while the engine is idling and see if you see any of them that are not spinning true. Then stop the car, remove the serpentine belt spin each pulley and feel for an bearing that is loose or spinning rough. The noise is telling you one them are going to fail.

 

[lenmar2c]

I

 

[Action]

Back in the 1980s, aluminum power steering gears (rack) had issues and fine pieces of aluminum were in the fluid. Which damaged the pump. Most noticeable in cold ambient temps and cold engine operation.
If that is an issue, pull the PS dip stick and check level. Then place a drop of PS fluid on a white paper towel. After the fluid soaks through the metal stays in the paper towel and is noticeable.

Otherwise if the sound is heard when engine is running in park, use a chunk of hose as a sound amplifier to your ear and the other end move around the engine compartment. Or go to Harbor Freight, drop ten bucks and get a mechanics stethoscope.

Action

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[jzeller]

Back in the 1980s, aluminum power steering gears (rack) had issues and fine pieces of aluminum were in the fluid. Which damaged the pump. Most noticeable in cold ambient temps and cold engine operation.
If that is an issue, pull the PS dip stick and check level. Then place a drop of PS fluid on a white paper towel. After the fluid soaks through the metal stays in the paper towel and is noticeable.

Otherwise if the sound is heard when engine is running in park, use a chunk of hose as a sound amplifier to your ear and the other end move around the engine compartment. Or go to Harbor Freight, drop ten bucks and get a mechanics stethoscope.

Action

I noticed the power steering fluid is below the fill level in the reservoir, I just got more in the mail today to top it off at the fill line. Could low ps fluid be the culprit perhaps?

 

[jzeller]

I

If the noise seems to come from the belt area once I check with a stethoscope I'll try that. The belt and tensioner are basically brand new so it'll be a pain to get the belt off/on in these temps if I don't have to

 

[jzeller]

If the noise seems to come from the belt area once I check with a stethoscope I'll try that. The belt and tensioner are basically brand new so it'll be a pain to get the belt off/on in these temps if I don't have to

If it is a pulley, I can rule out the idler puller and a/c pulley since the compressor was replaced a few months ago. I'll double check that my mechanic didn't reuse the old compressor pulley

 

[Action]

If it is a pulley or belt, you can drop water (in drops no more than drops) on the belt at the pulley. (When down let the engine run for 5 minutes because of the cold ambients. The belt should be dry after shutting down)
Sound goes away there is debris in the pulley and belt or the belt is worn.
New belt should be good. Dirt in pulley may have gotten into belt.
If that is the case a cleaning of the pulley and a new belt would be necessary.

Low PS fluid, not a good thing at all. Filling may quiet the pump. Or pump damage has already occurred. If that is the case filling will not reduce the sound from the excessive wear.

Action

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[jzeller]

Hi all,

For the last few weeks I noticed when accelerating after a turn at low speeds my engine/front end area would make a high pitched whirring noise at low speed/rpm. The best way I can describe it is as if a metal part was making contact while spinning. It would go away once speed/rpm increased. I thought it may be my front passenger brake pad based on the sound and area I was hearing it from, however I noticed the other day while running the car in park, if I push on the gas I hear the same sound at first, but once the pedal is pushed more it goes away.

I was also thinking maybe it's the power steering system but I don't see how that would make sense in park. Maybe the water pump? It's original but the car only has 44,000 miles and I've had no cooling issues. Also, for context, it is winter in NY and if temp has anything to do with it, this started once temps got below 50° a few months ago. It seems to be more common now and it is also much colder now, usually between 20-30°.

The only known issue engine related is some oil residue was found in one of the spark plugs during a recent change however it doesn't appear to be burning oil and both coolant and oil seem clean during checks (no noticeable mixing). Spark plugs, belt, tensioner, pulley, and coils all replaced within the last 1000 miles. Car also gets driven only 2,000 miles per year. Has an emissions leak that has been diagnosed as a fuel filler neck pinhole by a Lincoln dealership.

Any insight is appreciated! I'm taking the car to my mechanic for inspection next month so I wanna look into possibilities beforehand.

2000 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series Versailles Edition with 44,000 miles.

UPDATE: I haven't had the chance to get someone to help locate the noise with my stethoscope yet.

What I have ruled out is low power steering fluid. I misread the level and it is actually fine.

One new possibility I noticed is it may be the pulley for the A/C compressor. Yesterday I ran the car and revved it with the heat/climate off, and there was no sound. Turned the heat back on and also no sound. The only difference in conditions is it was about 45-50° and very humid as opposed to the usual dry 20-30° we've been having lately. This may be a coincidence, especially since the sound didn't return when the heat was switched back on.

I have not yet confirmed whether or not my mechanic didn't replace the old compressor pulley when they replaced the compressor. What I do know is they did not use a motorcraft part/kit. Also, as I mentioned above the car has a basically brand new belt, idler pulley, and tensioner. This was replaced 1000 miles ago and it is continental brand.