Rep Power: 0

please help!! i'm about to give up and take it to a mechanic (i really don't want to..haven't been to one in years!!)

my 98 civic si makes a weird sound right around 3500 rpm on the driver's side somewhere around the alternator.

i spent all night spraying carb cleaner around where i hear the sound..the engine idle does not change at all so i dont think it's a vacuum leak.

i got under the car and the sound is definitely somewhere around the alternator area. i was thinking driving belt or maybe alternator as there was a sound coming from the alternator when the fan turned on (this may be normal). the belts look like they are in decent shape though..

last few things to note..when the car runs, there is a spraying or leak sound coming from around the alternator. the sound is steady (maybe gets a bit louder) until 3500 rpm which is when it gets really loud all of a sudden, then fades back to normal at higher rpm. the other day when i was playing with the throttle, i felt something spray me (not sure if it was liquid or air) when the sound kicked in loudly.

now when i turn the car off, there is a bubbling liquid sound (may be air, but it sounds very liquidy) which then fades off into a fizzing sound (definitely air). this is why i'm thinking it could have to do with brake fluid or maybe even coolant..

please please please give some thoughts and/or ideas!! thanks!

 
Rep Power: 811

hmm its really hard to say. my car makes some hissing sounds like air pressure but i think its the belt. have you sprayed the belt with anything like that dressing stuff and see if the noise changes? bubbling liquid is usually coolant related (air bubbles) but ive only heard of that being loud inside the car from heater core.

 
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dressing stuff? what stuff would that be??

ya i am starting to believe it may be coolant related too (water pump). no leaks that i have noticed, but my coolant is somewhat low..

 
Rep Power: 811

well if the coolant is low, and youre not leaking, it may be a headgasket leak which would introduce air into the coolant as well as burn it off.

 
Rep Power: 0

well ya, that is possible, but i havent noticed any white smoke or bad oil..i really doubt it is the hg.

i am gonna do some checks on the belts and components, then move on to water pump and coolant lines around that area, and then hg i guess..