Whining sound from the engine!

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Hi guys,
I just bought myself a Toyota Prado and unfortunately, almost immediately fell into troubles!

There is a strange whining sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, the last time something like this happened with my previous vehicle, my alternator gave way in a few weeks!
The only thing different this time is that my oil pressure light keeps flickering on and off while driving. (And that's what is really scaring me here).
I checked the oil in the motor and its on its full mark and is clean! (These may be 2 separate issues)

The whining sound tends to go to a higher pitch on acceleration and drops its pitch when the engine speed is lower or at idling. Could it be any of my pulleys? The sound does not go away when in 'park' or 'neutral'.
Other than that, the ride is smooth, not missing, and plenty of power!

Prado 120 Petrol v6 Automatic Trans.
202k on the clock.

Any help would be greatly appreciated guys!

Cheers
Sujay

[Australian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Australian]

The missus will be so pissed when you let her out of the engine bay!

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Hahahahahahahhahaahahahahahahahaha! Ah how I wish that was the only issue! :P
But seriously, need some help guys!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

You could use the old screwdriver to the ear trick. Get a long screwdriver, place it on various parts of the engine and put your ear to it, it magnifies the sound. There are also vehicle stethoscopes that do the same thing only better. That might help you narrow it down.

Cheers Andrew

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

You could use the old screwdriver to the ear trick. Get a long screwdriver, place it on various parts of the engine and put your ear to it, it magnifies the sound. There are also vehicle stethoscopes that do the same thing only better. That might help you narrow it down.

Cheers Andrew

Just don't do what an apprentice from my work did at home a few years ago - got too close to the fan with the screwdriver, knocked out three front teeth and suffered severe lacerations to his jaw..

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Thanks for that AJ120, will get onto that first thing tomorrow. I just hope it's nothing that makes it go bang?

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Adrian5800, certainly dont wish to do that mate! haha Will be careful

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Just don't do what an apprentice from my work did at home a few years ago - got too close to the fan with the screwdriver, knocked out three front teeth and suffered severe lacerations to his jaw..

Yeah that sort of goes without saying, or at least it should

Cheers Andrew

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Had a Ford 6 doing exactly the same. Spun bearing on the crank.

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Had a Ford 6 doing exactly the same. Spun bearing on the crank.

How much did it cost you bud?

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Only needed to replace the bottom end bearings and a light hone to the cylinder bores as everything else was okay. I don't think it was much over $5 - 600 as I pulled the engine out myself. The oil pressure light flickering is a real concern when combined with the whine.

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Problem is that I have close to nil knowledge about pulling an engine out or working on it! I'll take it down to a mechanic tomorrow and see how it goes from there! Will keep you guys updated! Thanks for all the help!

[bunsen Member Find all posts View Profile Close bunsen]

I had the same noise as you described, but without any warning lights. It turned out to be the idler pulley.

[sujay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sujay]

Thanks for the help guys. I took the vehicle back to the dealer, and they figured that the oil pump was not able to suck up enough oil. They suggested a good clean up will do the trick. Got back the vehicle today, and it seems to be fine!
Will keep you all updated on what happens next.
Thanks once again for the all the help!

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I'd be asking about additional warranty. What damage may have been done ??? Is there any service history ?? Sounds like previous owner was a slack ass and didn't do oil changes..... I'd be doing quit a few more flushes to clean it out....Cheers Steve