Engine noise Hi: I noticed today that their is a growling, bearing type noise coming from the front of the engine. It's difficult to tell where it is coming from. Any ideas,asside from taking it in, as to where this noise is coming from. I know it could be either a tensioner, AC unit, Altenator or the water pump. thanks Mike

Hello Karen Kaessler,

Good you should notice... REAL mechanics
(which you have already surpassed) use Stethoscopes
or listening rods to locate the PRECISE failing BEARING.

The most common BEARING failures are ...
- Idler pulley (belt tensioner... pretty reasonable $)
- Alternator (more $$)
- Water Pump... ($$$)
or
- Air Conditioning Clutch bearing:
(not bad if your Mechanic is honest (EZ job)).

ELSE...
If the "GRINDING" is engine internal...
(pretty nasty expensive = $$$$)

Hope this helps...

Carnac the Magnificent

i have been fooled by this one way to many times. when a wheel bearing or hub assesembly is making noise, it will sound like it is comming from the other side. i do not know why this is. but one test will prove if and which one. when growling noise occurs, notice, when turning left or right, does noise get louder and quieter as you turn? if so then it is wheel bearing. when turning left the right side will make more noise. when turning right the left side will make more noise. if always the same then, tires or transmission need addressing. the cv axle does not make a growling noise, unless front wheel drive car does not move, it makes a clicking or poping noise. sorry but at least you dont have to replace other axle

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/christpher_f760d0f18f8eedc3

if the brake rotors show signs of blacking, this will cause noise

sounds like a wheel bearing go to where you think the noise is and shake the wheel back and forth shoud be no play back and fourth motion if so replace assy expensive

A bearing has a more constant growl. Thumping is more likely a CV joint issue, Inspect the drive shafts...

Quite often it is a bad wheel bearing, a lot of chevy's are notorious for them. A wheel bearing will usually create a growling type noise that is more prominent at around 40-60MPH. If its a wheel bearing you should notice a change in pitch when turning in one direction, for example if you have a bad right side wheel bearing it will be noisy driving straight ahead, then get louder when turning LEFT. If you turn right the noise softens. The weight distribution of the front end will be greater on the right side when turning left. Of course the works in the opposite direction. If the noise remains constant going straight and turning it could be a bad tire. Visually check the tire for pressure and bulges in the side wall. You didn't mention what type or model vehicle you have, because in some cases the rear wheel bearing could be causing the noise.

if it is a growling type noise that increases with speed it is a wheel bearing. can you tell which side it is coming from? if not sometimes when driving you can turn car and shift the vehicle weight the side making noise will quiet down some when the weight is shifted off it so if you turn to right and noise gets less it is rt side and so on

Take all of the belts off for a short run at idle. If the sound goes away it is pulley related, spin each pulley and listen for bearing noise, also check for play at this time.

If the noise does not go away when the motor is driving no accessories you have a more serious problem.

It is your Wheel Bearings. I just changed mine out on my Grand Am with the same problem. Now I have no humming noise.

Generally a wheel bearing will make a growling noise.