Checked out a Z today. Have ?????

[lightningz06]

I went up to the Vette Store to look at the Z I am wanting to buy. It is an 01. I did not get to test drive it today because it was blocked in by about 30 other Vettes. I did get to start it up an listen to the engine for a moment. I am alittle concerned because the engine makes a whisling sound at idol. It is not extremely loud, but it is very noticable with the hood open. I have not noticed this on other Z's I have looked at. Is this normal?

[WA 2 FST]

I notice that these engines make a lot of mechanical noises/ticking, but have not heard one whistle like you describe.

Got some nitrous on your Lightning? 123mph is flying for that truck! Mine's my daily driver...I need to get 100k miles out of it, so I've only done an air filter, chip and shift kit.

[pmontelo]

Originally posted by lightningz06
I am alittle concerned because the engine makes a whisling sound at idol. It is not extremely loud, but it is very noticable with the hood open. I have not noticed this on other Z's I have looked at. Is this normal?

Just a guess, but it sounds like the alternator was working hard to charge a drained battery. When a car sits on a used car lot for a long time without being driven, the battery slowly discharges. The alternator will whine when the battery voltage is very low, I bet if you would have drove it around for a half hour to charge the battery, the whine would go away.

[Jayzvette]

I have noticed on my 01' that the air pump has a high pitched whistle. You can't hear it with the hood closed but when it's up you can hear it!! That is probably what you are hearing Good luck

[lightningz06]

Thanks, it did kinda sound like it was comming from the alternator. the whistle sounded just like an open element filter under throttle, but it was at idol. I think it was the alternator, he had the battery disconnected and it may have lost voltage. Thanks It won't be long now until I am a true member of the family

[70boss302]

There was a post here somewhere about an overworked alternator making the sound you describe. Take it for a good test drive and see if teh noise goes away. Bill