I've got a 98 V6 Dakota, and it just started making a strange noise on Monday afternoon. It's hard for me to describe it, but it's kind of like wind noise or like I'm giving it a good bit of gas. Not the type of noise that just stands out above everything else, but it's still enough to worry me.Sorry if that's not a very good description, but it's about as good as I can describe it. If I have my radio on, I can barely hear it, so it's not a very loud noise. When it happens, it's usually when I'm accelerating quickly (getting it around 2k RPMs + or so; it does it going from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gear) and it only does it once my truck's warmed up (driving for at least 10-15 minutes or so). All my gagues look fine, no abnormal readings, no warning lights on. It still makes the noise even when the A/C and defroster are off. I've checked my oil, engine coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. They all look okay, but my transmission fluid is on the far low end of the "OK range" on the dipstick. I've just had my water pump replaced about 2 weeks ago, but nothing else has been wrong with it lately. The mileage is 122,224 or so. Are there any kind of specific problems I should watch out with it being this old? Not sure if the transmission fluid has ever been changed in it. Should I go ahead and change it? It's due for an oil change anyway, so it doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Any idea on what this noise could be? Anyone think I'm just being paranoid? I may be paranoid, but I want my awesome truck to last me for at least 5 more years. Thanks for reading.

 

If I was a betting man, I'd wager that this is the sound of the bearing in your water pump going out. It is attached to your belt driven fan which made sort of a Roaring, windy noise (as you're describing) when mine went out (at about the same mileage as yours, 115,000). I thought at first that it might be the fan clutch but the smell of coolant and an eventual slow leak were evidence to the water pump bearing.

Open your hood and take a whiff. If you smell coolant, its your pump. If not, it might be the fan clutch...

...also, check the inside of your hood, above the fan. If the bearing is leaking, the fan will throw the coolant in a nice straight line onto the inside of the hood.

 

I just got back from school and made a few more observations:
[ol][*]It's only doing it from about 2k RPM + (I actually know this for sure now)[*]I'm almost 100% sure it's in front of me, under the hood[*]It's a "whizzing" noise, not a grinding noise or a clunk[*]I haven't smelled anything yet or seen anything strange under my hood.[/ol]
The water pump was just changed 2 weeks or so ago, so I sure hope that's not it again. When that was going out, it sprayed coolant all over my engine and I haven't cleaned it up yet. My radiator has probably only been flushed once (2 weeks ago) in 10 years, and it sprayed rusty coolant, which was easy to spot. It did the straight line on the hood a few times too. Right now, I'm sick, and I can't smell anything at all. When I got home today, I did notice that my coolant level has dropped slightly (2 notches from completely full). It's been raining here for the past 3 days or so, and I can't tell ifthe wet stuff on the ground I see iscoolant or just rainwater.

fivehundo, thanks for the reply and your insight.

 

fan clutch? does it do it if ya have a friend rev it to 2k in the driveway?

 

Mine does that. On mine, the fan runs until you get up to a speed where the air coming thru the radiator is sufficient, and the fan shuts off. Does it particularly when the engine is warm. If that's your case, it's not a problem.

 

I'll put 50 cents on the clutch fan. They had to have it off when your water pump was changed.

 

could be the power steering pump is going out, my 88 makes that type of wizzing noise when it's revved and it's the power steering. i would say at least check the fluid in it.

 

I've had the power steering pump changed not too long ago. It made a really different noise, and it was alot more noticeable. When it made the noise, it was almost out of fluid. It leaked alot, but I know that's not the problem anymore. I think I've seen it drip a few drops of fluid lately, but the fluid level's still been full.

Looks like the concensus (sp?) is the fan clutch. I was worried that it might be a transmission issue, but I guess it'll be fine for now. Glad I caught the noise when it first started too. I really want to say thanks for everyone's help. I've got some stuff going on right now, so I might not be able to get it fixed until next week or so. You guys think it'll be safe to drive it that long? The noise has seemed to get a little louder and be more noticeable, but that may just be something going on in my head.