Noises from under the car

BRIANNA NICOLE LUKER

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
3.5L
2WD
320,000 MILES

Put a new fuel pump in cause it went out. It has been about three or four days kept it at a half tank it then yesterday night it was between empty and quarter mark. I was in park (engine running) heard a weird noise and it was somewhere under the SUV it was quite, but the more I drove and was stopped or in park it is loud. It could be doing it while I m driving but do not know cause it has loud pipes on it and my uncle insists it is the speedometer cable because when you stop the needle slowly goes down. But I am wondering what that noise is?

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,474 POSTS

Well we can rule out the speedometer cable, it does not have one.

Noises can be very hard to pin down without actually hearing them.
Can you describe the noise?
You say it is still making the noise while you are stopped and in park correct?
If that is correct then it is possible to rule out the brakes wheel bearings and U-Joints and suspension parts.

That leaves the engine and its related parts. There are a lot of parts that can make noises there. Bearing(s) in the alternator, water pump, drive belt tension-er, idler pulleys. Internal engine bearings, lifters, timing chain are just a few.

If it is doing it in park, get a short piece of hose/tubing. Hold one end of the tube up close to your ear and move the other end over the engine with it running.
Be mindful of the moving parts! The tubing will narrow the area that you are hearing so that you will be able to find the location the noise is coming from.
To check closer a long solid item can be used in a similar fashion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U927cYhQXB4