Screaching sound from under hood?????

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by 55buicksuper, Jan 27, 2005.

  1. 55buicksuper

    55buicksuper Joker (Poor Boys) TN Chap

    I've got a weird high pitched noise that comes from unde the hood "sometimes" when I accelerate in my 55 (322). It's hard to pin point exactly where it's coming from. At first I checked the belts, they look fine. Maybe the generator (can't really tell if it's it) or maybe I thought something in the carb (can't really tell either). What I do know is that if I continue to accelerate while it's making this noise the lights dim on my dash so I figure it's got something to do with the electrical which leads me to believe it may have something to do with the generator. It's sorta a loud screaching sound. Anyone have a clue what it may be? Voltage regulator is new and so is the little square relay that is almost next to the voltage regulator (although not an exact replacement, but the dude at Autozone said that it would work...which I guess it has for the time being, every now and then when I start banging on something in the car I get a clicking noise start coming from under the hood so I think that is that little relay box that's wacked out. The problem with the loud screaching sound I don't think is related to this relay box being wacked out though because I replaced that box a while back and this noise has just recently started. :Do No:
     
  2. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    By the sound of things here (no pun intended ) :laugh: I'd take the generator to a "good" rebuilder and have them go thru it and see if that helps .
    With lights dimming and .... I'd start there . :Smarty:

    Good Luck ! :laugh: :TU:
     
  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    A water pump or say the bearing on an idler pulley can make that noise too.

    I have a pair of sethoscopes I use to isolate such problems. You can also do it with a broom handle by putting your ear to the one end and the the other where the noise may be originating. Be careful not to get into the fan blades when checking the water pump.
     
  4. 55buicksuper

    55buicksuper Joker (Poor Boys) TN Chap

    Broom handle huh??? Guess I'll try that..... :jd:
     
  5. Tufbuick

    Tufbuick Guest

    Got any Cats missing around the house !!!!!!!!!!! :Dou:
     
  6. StreetStrip

    StreetStrip Well-Known Member

    Have you been near the mexican boarder latley???
     
  7. 55buicksuper

    55buicksuper Joker (Poor Boys) TN Chap

    Hardly har har!!!

    Hahahahaha!!! :spank:
     
  8. 70gsrick

    70gsrick 1 of 66

    Before I did anything else I'd spray some "belt dressing" on the belts with the motor running. It saved me $400 on my BMW.
    Just a thought

    Good Luck
     
  9. sparkplug

    sparkplug Well-Known Member

    Carb

    You might want to check your vacuum lines for leaks. Buick engines create alot of vacuum. If you have a cracks in your vacuum lines it can squeal. Mostly if you have the dual snorckel set up. I had the same problem a couple of years ago. Hope this helps. Sparkplug
     
  10. beatlebuick

    beatlebuick beatlebuick

    Underhood screech

    TUFBUICK, you are too funny. I agree with 70GSRICK. A screech would indicate a slipping belt.Nothing sounds like that noise. A pully has a metalic sound and water pump bearings sound like something is loose in the pump.A vacuum leak makes a whistle or sissssshing sound.
     
  11. 55buicksuper

    55buicksuper Joker (Poor Boys) TN Chap

    I'm starting to think it's the solenoid on the starter or something to do with the starer, it only makes the screeching sound when I give it gas real quick and when it makes that noise my headlighs lights and dash lights sorta dim for a few seconds. Belts look fine, and when the car is running I've looked and listened over the generator and it doesn't make any noise. I've let it sit for awhile since I need to replace the front bearings (left one is pretty much shot), the battery is dead and needs charging (in the mean time to get my fix for classic car's I've been driving my 41 Chevy Master Deluxe, even went and got it registered and plates for it finally and is my daily driver since my gf's neon I've been driving took a crap on me). But when it's trying to start it makes that god awful sound again until it gets running, that's why I think it has something to do with the starter....another sound it made that I just remembered is a whinning sound but nothing else when trying to start....maybe the starter gear is sticking or something or the starter is just starting to get shot too........mystery...suspence....drama...!!! :rant:
     
  12. DualQuad55

    DualQuad55 Well-Known Member

    It definately could be the starter bendex staying engaged. This makes a helacious sound and could possibly cause the lights to dim out. I would remove the fan belt and start the engine and give it some gas. If the sound is still there it cannot be the generator. If the noise goes away it probably is not the starter.

    The generator only uses a bearing in front. I has a brass/oilite bushing in the rear and can be easily damaged from too much belt tension. (trust me, I found out the hard way-twice :dou: ). Did you jump the regulator to set up the poles when you replaced it? This can lead to problems if you did not.

    Start there and keep us posted.
     
  13. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member


    Ive done the same thing to check Fuel Injectors, but I used a large Flathead screwdriver.
     

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