whining noise from front end

[cpgoodman]

I have a whining noise kind of like engine noise coming from the front end of the car. Its sounds like my alternator needs to be tightened or a power steering pump thats low on fluid. It doesn't necessarily do it when i turn the wheel like it would if im low on fluid. Also i dont have engine engine noise threw the speakers. It comes and goes but usually is around. If i turn off everything (ac, radio, lights etc) it doesnt effect it at all, the noise is still there. I can hear it loud when i open the hood, down by the pully/ belt system.

Has anybody had to tighten there alternator to get rid of that noise? Its not easy to get to so i didn't want to go threw all of that if its not the issue. There was a post a week ago where a guy described the same type of noise and thought it was a tranny filter. I dont think he ever followed up the post. If somebody has had this issue please help me out.

2001 v6 112,000

 

[PennSt8_nuc]

I think I may have a similar problem in my '01 V6 with 107,000 miles. I just had the PCV elbow and upper radiator hose assembly done and all of a sudden this squaling started. Is it possible that coolant got on the belt? I have seen a few places that this can cause squeling. Mine is there at idle and increases quite loud with rpm. The only other time the belt makes any noise is when it is wet out and that goes away quickly. There seem to be about a hundred different ideas on how ti fix the problem if coolant gets on the belts. Anybody seen this before or have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[joegr]

There is no "alternator tightening" to be done on these cars. Like most cars these days, they use an automatic belt tensioner. If the tensioner is at the end of its travel, then the belt needs to be replaced.
You may have an idler pulley bearing going bad.