Questions and Answers
Noisy Cadillac
Q. I have a 1998 Cadillac Deville with 23k miles on it. It has the North Star Engine.
I hear a whirring noise when I'm in the car and the engine is running... it is particularly noticeable when the windows are up. I took it to the local dealer and they replaced the fuel pump and that did quiet that noise - it was emitting a whirring sound too, but the whirring is still there.
There is no change in pitch when the engine revs, it's a steady whirring noise. It does seem to be louder at times than at other times. The local dealer admits that they hear it, but they feel it is normal, although louder than other cars. I think it is not normal and it bugs the heck out of me. I hate to drive the car - it's that bad.
They said they removed the serpentine belts and that didn't change it, and that the noise is coming from inside the engine. I don't trust their opinions and think they are sluffing it off.
Do you have any idea what the problem might be?
AlanA. If the noise is steady and doesn't change with engine RPM, then I doubt it's engine noise. With removing the belt, you eliminate power steering pump, alternator and water pump. But even if those were making the noise, it would change with engine RPM.
Sometimes fuel pumps are noisy. Even in cars that are the same make and model, one may be louder than another. You say it is more noticeable with the window closed so I'm thinking the noise is coming from inside the car. Somehow I get the feeling that the noise is coming from inside your dash board. You have an Automatic Climate Control (ACC) system in that car. Part of that system is a small aspirator fan that draws air in from the passenger compartment and passes it over a temp sensor so the ACC will know how to adjust itself to maintain the set temperature. I have seen these fans collect dust in the motor bearings and make a noise such as you describe. Since that fan runs constantly, it would make the noise constantly.
Outside of that, I don't know what else to suggest. The noise may be normal and it may not. One way to confirm or deny this is to go onto their lot and drive other cars of the same model. If they all have the same noise, then it can be considered normal.
