2010 Lucerne Whining noise

[csifmh]

My girlfriend has a 2010 Buick Lucerne which just turned 75k miles. Today a whining noise started from the engine compartment. It sounds like it is coming from the lower drivers side of the engine. The sound can be heard when at idle and more so when accelerating. I had her put it in neutral and accelerate and the sound increased with the engine rpm's. I also had her turn the wheel right and left. There was no increase or decrease of the sound when turning the wheel. When the hood is raised there is also a faint clicking sound that goes with it. I also noticed that after the car was parked and cooled down. It took several miles for the noise to start back up. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[polarzak]

Noises are very difficult to diagnose over the Internet however your description tells me it is not coming from the power steering. That leaves moving items run by the serpentine belt, like the alternator, water pump, AC compressor, etc. Normally when a bearing goes in these items, the sound can come and go, and be heard at an idle, and increases as the speed of the engine increases. The few times I have had this issue, a short piece of garden hose to the ear, and the other end carefully to each of the components (again carefully) can usually distinguish which one is making the sound.

 

[Xmsteel]

Check the alternator, they make a whining sound when they are going bad and increase noise with more throttle. Almost resemble a turbo spooling.