Okay so, my 92 accord lx started making this really strange whirring/air noise that intensifies with rpm, the noise disappears when i shift into neutral and coast though so i believe it is engine related and not another part.
Things i've done recently maint/repair wise:
-Replaced Rad, Flushed and filled, bled and burped the system.
-Did Brakes, greased caliper pins all that, bled lines.

Possible (or not) related issues:
-Coolant disappearing with no visible leaks(I fear the worst.. HG issue)
-Starter going bad(will be replacing tomorrow)
All that being said, i could really use some help troubleshooting this. I triple checked all the radiator lines and hoses, connections and made sure everything was snug as well in terms of hoses and bleeder valves. PS It kind of sounds like i have a tiny shitty turbo by the way the noise makes.

 

If it goes away when you put the transmission into neutral. I would say that it is something with your transmission. Is it an automatic or a manual?

- Coolant disappearing - try a coolant pressure test. If you don't see anything dripping it could be a head gasket... do you see white smoke out of the exhaust?
- Wouldn't be your starter, it doesn't turn after you release the key from the start position in your ignition.

 

It is a manual transmission, i tried revving it in neutral and the noise does come up around 2k+ rpm. I tried to listen around the engine bay but its loud as f### in there when its revving haha. The sound seems to be coming from around the alternator/header area of the engine.

 

Could be your power steering pump or alternator bearings. May even be an accessory belt. Try spraying a little bit of WD-40 at the center of the alt and power steering pump to see if that stops the noise. If it does then the bearing in that accessory is probably your culprit. I have seen noisy bearings last for months, even years. If the noise doesn't stop after spraying the accessories. Try spraying the belts. If hte noise goes away after spraying the belts, you can try adjusting them (could be tight or loose) or just replacing them.

On another note, do you know when your water pump and the timing belts were last replaced? The water pump or one of the tensioner pulleys for the timing and balance shaft belts could make some RPM related noise as well. They are all in that general area as well.

Hard to diagnose over the internet without a video...

 

All right after listening to it for a couple of times, checking the belts for proper tension and having my TB/WP replaced a couple of months ago. The sound more accurately i would say sounds like air leaking/pressure leak but i got no idea from where.. ill try and get a recording of it

 

Okay so, now it doesnt seem like its related to my engine/tranny components at all. I believe its the sound of air being dragged along the car, because it increases with speed and decreases likewise. Sound wasnt there before and i havent crashed/dinged up or modified my body in anyway. What could it be?

 

You only hear the noise while the car is moving now?

It's really tough to diagnose noises like this without being there. I would say this is one you will more than likely have to take someone for a drive to diagnose. It could be anything from a wheel bearing or split fearing to a leaf stuck in a vent......

 

Put the car up on two front jackstands, one under each side. Take both front wheels off and throw it in drive and get a better listen to the sound. Obviously be safe about this.

 

What made you change your mind and think it's not engine/tranny related? Right now my guesses are transmission's going out, brake pads, belt over/under tightened, etc. Does the sound decrease during deceleration and/or when you put it in neutral, or does it completely disappear?

 

It pretty much only appears over 45-ish miles per hour. Neutral/decelerating doesnt effect the noise. Ill readjust all the belts today since i didnt properly check their tension after the timing belt job. Checked pads, i replaced them about a month ago, and its possible the tranny might be on the way out but ive had 0 hickups or issues with it so far, not even any strange noises. @Ghost Yeah, i went around driving in higher than normal rpm ranges 1-3 gears to see if it was rpm related but i couldnt recreate the noise. Only thing that seems constant is that it appears when hitting 45-50+

 

That's the speed at which the air pressure on the car increases drastically and aerodynamics start to have an effect. Do you have loose window vents? Are the door seals good? Any trim coming loose? I've had loose rain channel trim make a noise like that before. Are any body panels loose? Is the body totally clean with no damage?

 

Yeah the body is clean, it might possibly be the drivers side window seal though. Now that you mention it, thats exactly what it sounds like lol... my uncle had a van with a bad seal and it would always make this whistling sound when going fast. Ill take a look at that

 

All right i tracked down the problem! It seemed to be the drivers side mirror, the side of the housing was cracked open and causing the air to drag against it im guessing? I pushed it back together and sealed it up and no more noise. Ty everyone for the help. Not really sure how that thing got cracked open like that..

 

I wish all my car problems could be solved by pushing something... Glad it was a simple and free fix for you!

 

haha i know right