Name That Noise - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I have an old Buick I use as a daily driver. It's an '88 Park Ave, FWD 3.8 V6, 4 speed auto. It's made an odd noise on the way in to work this morning that I can't pin point. The noise sounds like a VERY bad PS pump, you know the whine I'm talking about. It's not the PS pump, I can hear it as well as the noise in question at the same time on occasion. The noise only happens when the car is moving. The noise stops when the car comes to a COMPLETE stop, at a 1-2 MPH roll, it's still there. Also, it seems worst rolling in a straight line. Turning seems to make the noise go away, at least momentarily but not always. The noise seems to get louder the slower the goes but does not seem to change pitch with speed. The brake pedal does not affect the noise, it's the same on or off the brakes.

The front brakes were new a couple months ago and I replaced the right half shaft about 4 months ago. PS pump and harmonic balance were replaced at the same time as the half shaft. Everything else looked fine at the time I worked on it.

Since I'm in the office all day and can't go look at it until this evening, I'm stuck speculating. If you're anyting like me, you know how much it will bug me until I figure out what it is. I'm a bit stumped. Any ideas?

00 SS View Member Profile	Jan 19 2011, 04:01 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,197 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Hudson, Colorado Member No.: 197	I have an old Buick I use as a daily driver. It's an '88 Park Ave, FWD 3.8 V6, 4 speed auto. It's made an odd noise on the way in to work this morning that I can't pin point. The noise sounds like a VERY bad PS pump, you know the whine I'm talking about. It's not the PS pump, I can hear it as well as the noise in question at the same time on occasion. The noise only happens when the car is moving. The noise stops when the car comes to a COMPLETE stop, at a 1-2 MPH roll, it's still there. Also, it seems worst rolling in a straight line. Turning seems to make the noise go away, at least momentarily but not always. The noise seems to get louder the slower the goes but does not seem to change pitch with speed. The brake pedal does not affect the noise, it's the same on or off the brakes. The front brakes were new a couple months ago and I replaced the right half shaft about 4 months ago. PS pump and harmonic balance were replaced at the same time as the half shaft. Everything else looked fine at the time I worked on it. Since I'm in the office all day and can't go look at it until this evening, I'm stuck speculating. If you're anyting like me, you know how much it will bug me until I figure out what it is. I'm a bit stumped. Any ideas?

00 SS View Member Profile	Jan 19 2011, 04:42 PM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,197 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Hudson, Colorado Member No.: 197	I was thinking possibly front hub/bearings myself. But I would think the noise would change with speed if that were it. I wish I could watch gauges, but I don't have any. This is one of the old GM's with nothing but idiot lights. Speedo and fuel level is all I get. I don't think it's an engine or accessory noise. The noise stops when the car stops whether the engine is still running or not. I suppose tranny or torque converter is a possibility. But would that noise stop when the wheels stop turning but the engine is still running? About the only time I don't hear the noise is when the car is moving at 35+ MPH. It may still be there, just can't hear it over everything else. Thinking more about it, it didn't do it when I left the house this morning and I didn't hear it until I got off the highway near the office. Could it be heat related as well?