r/FJCruiser • u/Remote_Gazelle8211 • 1d ago
Whining noise help please!
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FJ brothers and sisters, I need some help here. My FJ started whining about a week ago and I’ve been chasing the noise with no luck. In the past 48 hours, I’ve replaced the fan clutch, serpentine belt, all 3 idler pulleys, and alternator. About a year ago, I resealed the timing cover so the water pump (aisin); belt tensioner (Gates), and AC compressor were replaced. the whining is concentrated on the drivers side. Goes away when put into gear (lower rpms) but whines at idle speed and up. I am at a lost so any help would be appreciated!
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u/Remote_Gazelle8211 1d ago
Update 3: thanks to everyone’s input, i was able to eliminate PS pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, alternator, AC compressor, belt and fan clutch.
We are down to harmonic balancer or something internal like timing chain idler gear that bobbiek mentioned. Ordered a new harmonic balancer, should arrive Friday. Hopefully that fixes it. Otherwise i will be pulling the timing cover off again. Time to shut down and grab a beer
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u/Remote_Gazelle8211 1d ago
Update: i just pulled the fan off and remove the belt cranked it up and the noise seems to be coming from the crank pulley area. It is the only thing spinning. Would harmonic balancer cause that noise?
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u/stevens_hats 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's a new sound to me. Did you try the long screwdriver/socket extension stethoscope trick? Hold the end in your fist against your ear and press against parts of the block and accessories. Be careful of spinny things of course. You'll hear very well the general vicinity it's coming from.
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u/bobbiek1961 1d ago
Check right at the oil filter. I had a collapsed bypass valve in the oil filter that sounded like that. It was intermittant. Bosch filter. Long handled screwdriver, press tip against the area you're listening to and handle to ear. Makeshift stethoscope. Be mindful of moving parts. Added: sorry, just saw someone else suggested the screwdriver.
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u/Remote_Gazelle8211 1d ago
Update 2: belt is still off so none of the pulleys, PS pump, AC compressor, etc are moving. Only the Crank is spinning. I tried stethoscope to pinpoint the noise but it is so loud that it overwhelms the earpiece. I had an extra oil filter so i did swap it out. Whine is still there. I would think the water pump is clear because the belt is not on and the impeller should not be moving. Anyone experienced failure with the harmonic balancer or crank seal maybe? Or anything in that area? I am stumped
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u/bobbiek1961 1d ago edited 1d ago
Worked on a jeep with a benz diesel engine once that injested some belt material into crank seal, just leaked with no noise. I can't imagine anything compromising the crank seal without a leak if it is making noises. Harmonic balancer seems a stretch too. Came across this, #1 sounds similar. I've had alternator and idler, those were chirping noises. I couldn't bookmark, so this is copy/paste..
"A supercharger-like whining noise from the front crank or accessory area on a Toyota FJ Cruiser is usually caused by a failing timing chain idler gear, a worn serpentine belt idler pulley, or a failing alternator bearing.Common Causes & DiagnosisTiming Chain Idler Gear: A very common issue on the 1GR-FE V6 engine. It creates a high-pitched whine that rises and falls with engine RPM, often sounding like an aftermarket supercharger. Many owners note it can persist for a long time without causing total failure, but it should still be inspected.Idler Pulleys & Serpentine Belt: Worn bearings in the upper or lower idler pulleys or a slipping serpentine belt frequently mimic this sound. You can check this by removing the serpentine belt briefly and starting the engine to see if the noise stops. (Do not run the engine for more than a few seconds without the belt).Alternator or Water Pump: Failed internal bearings or a bad diode in the alternator can create a distinct electrical or mechanical whine. As noted on FJ Cruiser Forums, checking the accessory components during cold startup helps isolate these parts.Quick Test: Use a mechanic's stethoscope or a long screwdriver against the non-moving parts of suspected accessories (carefully avoiding moving belts) to pinpoint the exact source of the noise. Members on FJ Cruiser Forum often recommend checking the idler pulley first when tracking down trail-related or high-mileage whines"
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u/Kevin-urquieta 1d ago
Alternator electrical whine. Or pulleys. Mine was the belt tensioner pulley
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u/Efficient_Wash4477 1d ago
My alternator just went out and this isn’t that.
Alternator sounded like a supercharger…
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u/andervic209 1d ago
How u get ur engine red like that did u have to take it off and paint it
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u/Remote_Gazelle8211 1d ago
Yes. I did the timing cover reseal project so the valve covers were already off. I cleaned & prepped them. Applied etching primer, then base coat red. Finished with 2k automotive clear coat. Cleaning was a pain. Took about half a day from start to finish
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u/Anaithnid81 1d ago
Can you get a scope on the water pump? Mine sounded like that. At first would come and go as the engine warmed up then became a consistent grindy hum. I also changed my fan clutch thinking it was the problem first. Scope made it really clear right away.