Engine whining when accelerating

Tiny
DAVIDS2000
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HONDA ODYSSEY
  • 40,000 MILES
I have a 2007 odyssey lx with 40k miles. I recently visited the dealer for an oil change and they also repaired a power steering pump as part of a recall. A transmission software update may also have been done. Since then I notice that the van whines when I accelerate. This whining diminishes after driving for about 20 minutes but can still be heard slightly. I never noticed this kind of noise beforehand. Is this a problem? Thanks for your great service.
Friday, November 18th, 2011 AT 5:27 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
It sounds like the PS pump. Check to see if that is where the noise is coming from. Make sure it isn't low on fluid.
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Friday, November 18th, 2011 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
WATER TAXI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 HONDA ODYSSEY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
After extended highway speeds (2 hours above 60 mph), an engine whine is noticeable at low speeds (less than 10 mph), neutral, and park. Whine pitch increases with engine speed. Whine disappears when engine is turned off and restarted (whether restart is seconds or minutes later).
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi water taxi,

Thank you for the donation.

Noise problems are always hard to detect, even with the physical car so we can't promise you anything.

Logically engine operations do not produce any whining noise except when lubrications are lacking and if this happens, the engine would fail within a short time. Quite often whining noises are from external components attached to the engine and these includes alternator, power steering pumps, AC compressors, idler bearings and the transmission.

From the symptoms described, the most like source would be the transmission.

Does the noise lessen or disappears when gears are engaged?
When noise is present, is gear up and down shifting smooth? Any jerks?
Does the noise lessens or disappears when you come to a stop? If no, did you try to diagnose which area is it coming from?
After restarting, noise comes back only after another long drive?
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WATER TAXI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
In reply to your response questions"

All fluids checked and verified within high/low limits. I am an experienced mechanic and know how to checl.

Engine oil life at 75%.

Does the noise lessen or disappears when gears are engaged?
As stated in initial query, whine is same in all auto trans positions (P, R, N, D)

When noise is present, is gear up and down shifting smooth? -YES
Any jerks? - NO
Does the noise lessens or disappears when you come to a stop? NO
If no, did you try to diagnose which area is it coming from? Yes, appears to emanate from front of vehicle, I suspect a drive belt

After restarting, noise comes back only after another long drive? Same conditions as noted in initial query - prolonged highway speeds, and whine only heard below 5 or 10 mph, any higher speed and whine is obscured by road noise.

Thanks
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOG69
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
It was the power steering fluid being old. for my problem I followed this guide and it fixed it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM

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