So my truck is at 158,000 miles and has been trouble free for the past 2 years. I am getting a strange noise now at startup that I can't locate. It is intermittent whining that sounds like it is coming from the oil pan area/back of the motor. It whines for about 5-7 seconds and then stops. After about 10 seconds it cycles again. This morning it was 30 degrees and it cycled about 5 times and then didn't do it again all day.

I feel as though I need to change out my idler pulley bearings/belt/pumps? I haven't changed any of those since I bought it at 60,000 miles.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks

 

Sounds like your grid heater cycling and making the alternator "Whine" as it increases the output to the electrical system. I would get the alt load tested just for piece of mind.

 

Dang! That sounds like it would be it! Thanks for the direction, I am taking it in this week to have the drive belt replaced and have all the bearings checked but your idea sounds dead on. Maybe I'll be buying a new alternator too.