[Alberta_Girl]

I'm wearing my Kevlar suit as I type this, please go easy on me. The following is not a complaint against my vehicle, it is merely a question

I've had my vehicle since Oct 21/10. Don't seem to recall hearing this until the weather got cold here but perhaps I just didn't notice it then. Come to think of it though, it ran so quietly when I first bought it, I remember being at the dealership about to go for a test drive, the salesman remote started it and I didn't even know it was running, and made that comment. LOL.

When it's running in my garage warming up for a few minutes, I hear a bit of a vague squeal noise from under the hood. It almost sounds like a loose belt, that kind of sound, but a lot less noisy. I'll try to tape it later and post here, for your auditory enjoyment.

If I give it some gas, I don't hear the sound at all. It's only heard when running/idle and it's not something I hear from within the vehicle.

I just lifted up the hood and though it's hard to really distinguish where the sound originates, I'd say it's more on the LEFT side (facing vehicle).

I've been scouring the forums here to see if others have had 'noises'. I've read a lot about people with issues of squealing or rattling when vehicle is between 1500 to 3000 RPMs and seems a lot of these issues were related to power steering pump return line, something about restrictors, etc. I don't think (and I could be wrong) that issues w/ power steering pump/line would be applicable when vehicle is not even moving. (???)

Perhaps because of the type of engine it has (mine's the 3.0L V6) and the ?variable valve control, this is normal.

Okay, I almost wouldn't call it a squeal, per se.......and not quite a rattle..........but it does make me think of the sound (a little) of a loose belt.

Maybe it has something to do with the cold weather? (-20C here)

Any thoughts? Anyone in the colder parts experiencing this?


Love and wet, sticky kisses,
AlbertaGirl

 

[djmodifyd]

I have This EXACT issue with my v6. I just posted a thread on this and posted an audio recording of it. I hope it's normal. I too can't hear it inside the vehicle, only with windows down/out of vehicle. Mine is also on the left side of the motor.

Hope we get an answer!

 

[Alberta_Girl]

I have This EXACT issue with my v6. I just posted a thread on this and posted an audio recording of it. I hope it's normal. I too can't hear it inside the vehicle, only with windows down/out of vehicle. Mine is also on the left side of the motor.

Hope we get an answer!

Wow, glad I'm not the only one! Are you in the colder parts of the the U.S. or Canada as well? Just trying to determine if the cold weather might have something to do with this (because I truly didn't hear this back in October when temps were around 60F).

I gotta go listen to your recording!!! Will let you know if it's what I hear as well.

 

[djmodifyd]

Wow, glad I'm not the only one! Are you in the colder parts of the the U.S. or Canada as well? Just trying to determine if the cold weather might have something to do with this (because I truly didn't hear this back in October when temps were around 60F).

I gotta go listen to your recording!!! Will let you know if it's what I hear as well.

I'm in Iowa, so we get cold! I did not notice it a couple months ago either. My post is in the equinox area. Let me know if that is what you hear.

 

[Alberta_Girl]

Hey DJ,

I went out to my vehicle shortly after my last post to you (it had then been running about 15 minutes in garage). I then really didn't hear the noise so perhaps only something I hear when engine cold and as it runs noise stops? The next time I have some time, we'll see if that's the way it is again and I'll let you know.

 

[djmodifyd]

Hey DJ,

I went out to my vehicle shortly after my last post to you (it had then been running about 15 minutes in garage). I then really didn't hear the noise so perhaps only something I hear when engine cold and as it runs noise stops? The next time I have some time, we'll see if that's the way it is again and I'll let you know.

Mine never does it with a cold engine, but that might be because it is ideling at a higher rpm so the noise isn't there. I think I might swing by the dealer to have them check it out again

 

[SuperMat64]

That's probably the power steering pump as discussed in many other thread... make a search for "squealing".

The noise is worse for the first minute or two and get lower after that.

Hey DJ,

I went out to my vehicle shortly after my last post to you (it had then been running about 15 minutes in garage). I then really didn't hear the noise so perhaps only something I hear when engine cold and as it runs noise stops? The next time I have some time, we'll see if that's the way it is again and I'll let you know.

 

[Alberta_Girl]

That's probably the power steering pump as discussed in many other thread... make a search for "squealing".

The noise is worse for the first minute or two and get lower after that.

I had done a search and read through other threads re: noises/squealing but it seemed to me that the noises people were hearing were when the RPMs were 1500 or greater....and as such, problem found to be power steering return line, or pump altogether. I didn't read anything about people hearing this noise when vehicle idle. Other than djmodifyd's post, I hadn't read any post of people w/ noise issues only when Terrain idling. ??

 

[SuperMat64]

I have that sound at idle when cold AND when going higher than 1500rpm... Seems to be a "normal" sound for these gm engines...

I had done a search and read through other threads re: noises/squealing but it seemed to me that the noises people were hearing were when the RPMs were 1500 or greater....and as such, problem found to be power steering return line, or pump altogether. I didn't read anything about people hearing this noise when vehicle idle. Other than djmodifyd's post, I hadn't read any post of people w/ noise issues only when Terrain idling. ??

 

[NoobNox]

Hey DJ,

I went out to my vehicle shortly after my last post to you (it had then been running about 15 minutes in garage). I then really didn't hear the noise so perhaps only something I hear when engine cold and as it runs noise stops? The next time I have some time, we'll see if that's the way it is again and I'll let you know.

Try this sometime...turn it off and stand in front and see if you hear the same noise. You should hear the ticking and popping of the exhaust/mainfold contracting.....and then a faint high pitched whine that sounds like a tiny electric motor that last briefly. The dealership service guy told me what this was a while back and I forgot...but it's normal.

 

[bballr4567]

It could also be the alternator. Hard to diagnose a sound over the internet.

Take it to your retard dealer to see what they say. lol

 

[Alberta_Girl]

It could also be the alternator. Hard to diagnose a sound over the internet.

Take it to your retard dealer to see what they say. lol

Yeah, definitely is impossible to diagnose this way but just thought if this was something that all V6 owners heard in cold temps, when idling, that I'd just not worry or pursue it with said *cough cough* dealer.

Does anyone know; MUST I go to a GM dealership for regular maintenance as per the schedule? I would seriously rather give my $$ to someone else as opposed to these a$$hats. For years I've been going to a small local shop for my oil changes and other minor work and I'd prefer to keep going there (except obviously for warranty work). Could I do this and not risk warranty issues? As long as I get the other place to document on the invoice all of the things they did and checked, as per maintenance schedule, would that be sufficient or would I be risking it?

 

[bballr4567]

Just get paperwork showing you got the work done. Keep a paper trail in other words. I dont take our Terrain to the dealer even though they offer $5 oil changes.

 

[NoobNox]

Yeah, definitely is impossible to diagnose this way but just thought if this was something that all V6 owners heard in cold temps, when idling, that I'd just not worry or pursue it with said *cough cough* dealer.

Does anyone know; MUST I go to a GM dealership for regular maintenance as per the schedule? I would seriously rather give my $$ to someone else as opposed to these a$$hats. For years I've been going to a small local shop for my oil changes and other minor work and I'd prefer to keep going there (except obviously for warranty work). Could I do this and not risk warranty issues? As long as I get the other place to document on the invoice all of the things they did and checked, as per maintenance schedule, would that be sufficient or would I be risking it?

As long as you save your reciepts you can take it anywhere you want for oil changes or do it yourself. GM can't deny your warranty for not taking it to a dealer for every little thing...and if something goes wrong GM would have to prove that something like that was the cause.

 

[Alberta_Girl]

Just get paperwork showing you got the work done. Keep a paper trail in other words. I dont take our Terrain to the dealer even though they offer $5 oil changes.

Thanks, bballr.

Wow, $5 oil changes? Mine charges $50. When I bought my vehicle and they were unwilling to negotiate much on the price (they did a little), i finally said "okay, then throw in 6 free oil changes." All they came back with was one free one. I thought it was mighty big of 'em. *rolling eyes*

 

[bballr4567]

Ours used to be a Saturn dealer but when the brand closed they got a GMC/Buick/Cadillac franchise. They kept the Saturn feel and no pressure approach. They even offer FREE car washes every Saturday. lol

I can say we are spoiled. lol

 

[Z_Ghost]

then a faint high pitched whine that sounds like a tiny electric motor that last briefly. The dealership service guy told me what this was a while back and I forgot...but it's normal.

Might be the throttle body closing all the way, my 2008 Cobalt SS does this. I park the car in the garage and open the hood to let the heat out and you can hear this loud hum then click clunk.

 

[Terrain]

Yes, my '10 does this too when it's cold. I am of the impression that it's the A/C compressor. Try manually turning off the A/C (snowflake button) and see if it goes away. Just a mild squeal coming from the bottom left (passenger side) of the engine.

 

[djmodifyd]

Yes, my '10 does this too when it's cold. I am of the impression that it's the A/C compressor. Try manually turning off the A/C (snowflake button) and see if it goes away. Just a mild squeal coming from the bottom left (passenger side) of the engine.

Mine does not go away when I turn the AC off. Does yours?

 

[Terrain]

^ Yeah it does... unless it was coincidental to something else going on in the engine compartment.

I just listened to your audio clip and mine is much quieter than yours and doesn't 'intensify' like yours does.

Can you localize the sound? ie look under while the engine is running and get a feel for which accessory is making the noise? The 'click' sounds so much like the cycling of the A/C compressor. Keep in mind there is still a bearing in there regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or not so it might still be A/C compressor related.

Mine isn't loud enough to have seen by the dealer. Since it only does it when it's cold and since my dealer is about an hour away, I'd have to leave it over night and hope they were able to hear it in the morning. Too much of a PITA. If/when it gets as bad as yours I'll take it in for sure.