High-Pitched Noise

[LAW75]

( '66 AH3000, MkIII, BJ8, Phase2) When I get up to around 2,600 rpms I get a high whistle sound that appears ?? to be coming from the engine area (although could possibly be coming from the transmission (hope not). So, to further test this situation, I stayed in neutral and went to 2,600 and sound still there. Then, I put in gear but applied to clutch and went to 2,600 and still have the sound. Dont know if it is the generator, fuel pump or ??. Any thoughts? Suggested additional testing? Thanks for your thoughts to come.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Does it whistle "God Save the Queen?"

JK. Does it go away above 2,600 RPM? If it doesn't occur in neutral it's not likely--though not impossible--it's from the gearbox; gearboxes usually whine (normal--to a point) or make a grinding/grating noise (not good). A 'whistle' could be a belt slipping, water pump bearing going, intake/vacuum leak--does it run OK?--or something weird. I've had whistling noises come and go from my BJ8 without ever figuring out what caused them.

 

[Madflyer]

I could be fan belt to tight, loosen to take the load off the water pump and Gen / Alt and rub a bar of soap on belt or candle wax. and spray some carb cleaner on manifold it could also be a vac leak

 

[red57]

You say that, in neutral, you went to 2600rpm and the sound was still there. Have you tried revving it with the hood up in the driveway so you can move around and try to locate where it's coming from? Belt slipping would be my first guess & I would try tightening the belt to see if that affects it.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Go to the same RPM's, put it in neutral, turn off the ignition and report back.

 

[BN6_L1232]

( '66 AH3000, MkIII, BJ8, Phase2) When I get up to around 2,600 rpms I get a high whistle sound that appears ?? to be coming from the engine area (although could possibly be coming from the transmission (hope not). So, to further test this situation, I stayed in neutral and went to 2,600 and sound still there. Then, I put in gear but applied to clutch and went to 2,600 and still have the sound. Dont know if it is the generator, fuel pump or ??. Any thoughts? Suggested additional testing? Thanks for your thoughts to come.

 

[BN6_L1232]

Maybe the Differential.

 

[LAW75]

Going to a British Car Mechanic in my area (Brevard NC) on Monday. He said he will check it out but busy until Jan if something needs fixing. Will report back and thanks for the helpful feedback. When I talk with him, I will sound like I know what I am doing, not.

 

[bob hughes]

I'm with Madflyer and red57, but mine was at higher revs, I felt such a fool when I asked the garage to check it out.



Bob

 

[gonzo]

Could the whistle be electrical rather than mechanical? For example - radio and interference? Then again, this could be a manifold leak.
Visited greater Asheville, NC this September and really liked Brevard. Idyllic roads are just perfect for the Healey.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Laws--

Did you ever do what I suggested--turning off the engine with car in neutral when at about the same mph as when the problem appeared?
This would take the engine and parts of the transmission out of the equation.

 

[LAW75]

Problem solved! Master mechanic Gary Nye, Brevard North Carolina listened to the noise and immediately knew that the fan belt was too loose. He loosened four nuts on the generator, leveraged the generator and moved it out1/2”, tighten the bolts and in 10 minutes the noise was gone. Thank you all for your input which was very helpful.

 

[Michael Oritt]

I installed a Balmar Belt Buddy--an adjustment arm with adjustment done via an easily-reached bolt. It eliminates the need to apply "leverage" on the generator/alternator which usually takes three hands and tends to push it out of alignment. The BB makes tightening the belt a piece of cake. The adjustment arm and bolt are the blue anodized pieces in the attached shot.

 

[LAW75]

Very interesting Michael. If and when my belt get lose again, I am looking into the BB. Thanks