So I took my truck out mudding and ended up surprise waterfording through a 4 foot water hole. After doing so I've been hearing a whine that sounds similar to a low power steering fluid or a tranny oil pump. It only happens when the engine is under load regardless of gear, not idling. It's pitch and loudness increases with load amount, flooring it results in a very loud electric whine that can be heard over my glass pack easily. I replaced my alternator thinking that might be it and 3 days after the hole replaced a wet air filter ( I forgot it was probably wet hence I continued driving). The engine didn't stall at all through the water. It's a 5.7 hemi if that's relevant.

 

This literally just happened to me last week. I ended up spraying all the pulleys with WD40 and then some lubricant and I sprayed the alternator with electrical cleaner and I think I sprayed the clutch to the fan as well. Now it sounds quieter than before actually.

 

I'll give it a shot.

I was out hot rodding on lunch today, translation; I had to rush to get food and back in time so I was hauling it like it was stolen, and noticed it wasn't as loud and couldn't think of why it would suddenly quiet down. After reading your post I realized I had sprayed some WD-40 on the pulley for my AC Clutch this morning which hopefully is the reason for quieting it, I'll do the rest of the pulleys tomorrow and drive a bit.

It's scheduled for a diagnostic for the sound but if this fixes it I'll take it in anyways since I bought it used 2 months ago. Previous owner seemingly took good care of it seeing as it has all top notch brands for filters ect so here's to hoping it's healthy. I'll update this if it fixes it or if not what my diagnosis turns up for future googlers.

 

The WD-40 didn't help, I took it in and they said it needed 3 new pulleys, weird since it sounded further back, but sure enough sound is now gone.