Tech Tip: Whine, Whistle and Ringing Heard from Cadillac's Engine

Tech Tip: Whine, Whistle and Ringing Heard from Cadillac’s Engine

Some customers may comment on a whine, whistle or ringing-type noise from the front of the engine that increases in intensity as engine rpm increases. This noise is most audible standing in front of the vehicle with the hood opened. If the noise fades into the ambient engine noise by 2,000 rpm, refer to PIP3453 in the Service Information (SI) for camshaft drive chain noise.

Models affected: 2004-’05 Cadillac CTS, SRX; and 2005 Cadillac STS — with 3.6L engine and without heavy-duty cooling.

Some customers may comment on a whine, whistle or ringing-type noise from the front of the engine that increases in intensity as engine rpm increases. This noise is most audible standing in front of the vehicle with the hood opened.

If the noise fades into the ambient engine noise by 2,000 rpm, refer to PIP3453 in the Service Information (SI) for camshaft drive chain noise.

This condition may be caused by the harmonic balancer.

Important: If the vehicle is equipped with the V03/V92 Heavy Duty Cooling package, DO NOT replace the six-spoke design crankshaft harmonic balancer. Continue with routine diagnosis to isolate the noise.

Inspect the crankshaft harmonic balancer. If the vehicle was built with the three-spoke design crankshaft harmonic balancer, replace the harmonic balancer with P/N 12597654. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Removal, Cleaning and Inspection and Installation in SI.

If the vehicle was built with the new design six-spoke crankshaft harmonic balancer, do not replace it. Continue on with routine diagnosis to isolate the noise.

Courtesy of General Motors.

You May Also Like

Today’s Fuel Pressure Diagnostics

Direct injection pressure is measured with sensors, and the signals are used to determine pump speed and/or volume.

Ever since the fuel pump was moved to the fuel tank, fuel pressure replaced the float height as a measure of fuel system health and performance. Checking the height of the float might have required some disassembly or special tools to bend the arms of the float.

When the shift was made to port or throttle body fuel injection, all a technician needed to diagnose a fuel problem was a set of “noid lights,” a fuel pressure gauge and maybe a multi-meter. Measuring the fuel pressure typically required checking the pressure at idle and under load. Most of the these tools can’t be used on the high pressure side of a direct-injection system because of higher pressures and changes in the injector location and technology. 

ADAS Calibration Tips

Here are 10 tips to follow during ADAS Calibration.

ADAS Calibration Aborts

Knowing the common “hiccups” can save you time and money.

Fuel Pumps and Cranking

Diagnosing the problem comes down to understanding what causes a loss of fuel pressure.

Electric Power Steering Diagnostics

Load management for steering systems.

Other Posts

Don’t Miss The April Digital Edition of ShopOwner

The April issue includes technical and management content and is free to download.

Now Available – March’s Digital Edition of ShopOwner

The March issue includes technical and management content and is free to download.

Now Available – February’s Digital Edition of ShopOwner

February’s issue includes technical and management content and is free to download.

How To Service BMW Tire Monitor Systems

BMW has offered Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for more than 20 years. These early indirect and direct systems were implemented not to meet the 2007 government mandate but to inform the driver when an expensive Michelin or Bridgestone run-flat tire was deflating. Some 2002 and 2003 models have an indirect system called Flat Tire