QuestionI bought a 2000 Series II Discovery about a month ago. When I got it, there was a "not quite noticeable" engine humming noise (like a whirring noise) that is noticeable only at lower revs (750-1500). I went offroading on some great and challenging tracks last weekend. Unfortunately, when we finished, the whirring noise was almost too noticeable for it to be a normal LR engine sound. Somebody suggested a clogged tranny fluid filter and I'm thinking along the lines of the steering pump. It is really loud now and only happens during idle and the first 500 revs or so when speeding up.
Any ideas?
Greatly appreciated!
Benjamin
AnswerHi Benjamin,
last summer, I noticed a small noise coming from the engine compartment too. As the days went by, the noise became louder and louder. I check the serpentine belt for wear, oil and coolant then the power steering pump. I noticed that the fluid in the steering pump reservoir was low. I examined the steering pump and saw some fluid around the pulley at the axle. As I listened, the noise seemed to be coming from the PS pump.
The next day, the noise really became loud and so I thought if I added some stop-leak to the reservoir, the noise might stop. It did not. In fact, it made it worst. Later that day, in the parking lot of a client, the PS pump pulley finally seized. Fluid was everywhere. A real mess.
It turned out that the bearings in the pulley for the Power Steering pump were worn and one finally seized up. I purchased a rebuilt from a salvage yard (wrecker) for about $50 and installed it myself. 1 hour later...problem solved.
The whirring you may be hearing could also be some bearing that is about to fail. You'll have to determine from which component it is comming from: PS, water pump, alternator, oil pump. Try to find the problem BEFORE it breaks down somewhere on the road. This will prevent you from paying a towing bill.
It could even be the tensioner pulley! I've had this fail too! You could check this by removing the serpentine belt and manually turning the pulley wheel. If it sounds or feels abnormal, you've probably found your problem. You could do this for all the pulley wheels except the crankcase wheel. Turn the pulley wheels slowly and carefully listen for a noise. They should be smooth and glide nice...any gritting rough spots indicates a problem.
Some bearing cases can be replaced while others are too difficult to change. Write to me when you find the fault and I might have some info for you.
Best of luck,
JohnMc
