# Engine ringing noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** pontiac, firebird, noises\ **Created:** [March 24, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960 "2011-03-24T23:29:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Longbow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a4c791/32.png) [@Longbow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Longbow)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/1 "2011-03-24T23:29:13Z")
My 1996 Firebird with 3800 series II V6 engine makes a ringing noise. The noise appears to come from the front of the engine (pulley area) and sounds like an old fashioned fire alarm. It usually occures after the engine has warmed up and cannot be heard from inside while cruising. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/2 "2011-03-24T23:46:49Z")
I am going to suggest the serpentine belt tensioner, even the belt itself can make noise,release the belt give some stuff a spin. ---
**Author:** ![Longbow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a4c791/32.png) [@Longbow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Longbow)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/3 "2011-03-25T19:33:32Z")
Good idea. It doesn’t seem to be coming from deep in the engine so maybe something has just started to come loose. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/4 "2011-03-25T20:02:19Z")
``` You may want to use a length of garden hose (Like three or four feet) as a stethoscope to locate the source. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Longbow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a4c791/32.png) [@Longbow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Longbow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/5 "2011-03-26T19:50:58Z")
Another good idea. I have often used a long screw driver with the handle held to my ear as a scope. There are a lot of moving parts in this area, so I am a little reluctant to stick any thing in there while the car is running. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Whitaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Ben\_Whitaker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ben_Whitaker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 6:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/6 "2018-05-01T06:11:10Z")
Hey- did you ever figure it out? Im experiencing the same mystery ring on an older toyota pickup with a 22re… ---
**Author:** ![Longbow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a4c791/32.png) [@Longbow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Longbow)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 9:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/7 "2018-05-02T09:53:05Z")
Wow, that was a while ago. I was sure the noise was a bad clutch in the air conditioning compressor. When I had tires put on the installer replaced a loose clamp on the heat shield and the problem went away. Those noises can be really tricky. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Whitaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Ben\_Whitaker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ben_Whitaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-ringing-noise/62960/8 "2018-05-02T14:59:50Z")
Hmm, interesting! Thanks for the reply.