Hey guys, need some karma here

1994 V6 with 128K miles and manual trans.

When I start the car, I get a deep moaning sound. It is coming from the engine bay deep under. Truck runs fine and it is not consistent.

When I turn the steering wheel or rock it back and forth it gets louder for a bit then goes quite.

I rev the engine, but the moaning sound does NOT get louder.

It is a steady sound when the engine runs and it doesnt go away.

Can I keep running the engine as I browse around underneath with a stethescope? It sound just like if the power steering res is low, but I verified it has ATF fluid. I drained and filled the res. with ATF...no change.

Im thinking rack and pinion...but how do I verify this..done timing belts, but never rack and pinion.

Thoughts? Thanks in advanced.

 

Did you check Idler pulley, possible bearing going bad?

 

Obviously, you're engine is sexually SASSIFIED. ;-)

If it changes with the power steering pump (steering), I'd bet it's related to that. You say it doesn't get louder; does it change in pitch when you rev the engine?

 

This is a follow to the thread to give readers closure

Yeah..I found the problem and resolved it. Apparently, the alternator bearing was going out. It was challenging to find the source of the noise. However, thanks to my stethescope I picked up at Harbor Freight couple years ago, I was able to narrow down the source of the noise.

A long handled screwdriver with my ear on it would do the trick, but I really like the stethescope instead. The extended capability of the stethescope rod makes it nice and easy to connect hard to reach items.

The alternatore has a small screw in the back. When I touch my stethescope on the this screw, I can here the bearing noise.

I replaced the alternator from an Autozone rebuilt one that had lifetime warantee. Thanks all and TNRabbit.

 

Glad you figured it out and posted back the fix.