[firstime]

Once the engine is warm I can hear a bearing whine from the engine compartment. The whine goes once I hit a 1000 rpm but comes back when idling (500rpm).It seems to be coming from the area beneath the A/C compressor so I am assuming it is the water pump. Is this an engine out job or something a novice like myself can tackle?

 

[REDTURBO84]

You might want to check the ac idler pully. Take off the ac belt to check.Pat

 

[Marcos]

In my experience the water pump will make a thumping or banging sound, more like a clack-clack-clakety-clack than a whine. YMMV.

 

[firstime]

Great, I think......from your responses it does sound like the A/C idler pulley. Does this mean I have to get a new/rebuilt compressor or can I fix the idler pulley?

 

[Marcos]

Great, I think......from your responses it does sound like the A/C idler pulley. Does this mean I have to get a new/rebuilt compressor or can I fix the idler pulley?

I've no idea whether you can fix the idler, my own A/C hasn't worked for two (count them, gentlemen and ladies, two) summers... but you can check whether it's the A/C or not by removing the belt that drives it. I've removed it some time ago because the A/C clutch won't engage, and it wasn't (for me) worth installing a new one (ok, I'm that cheap )

g'luck!

 

[ProfZ]

The AC idler pulley unbolts from its carrier; new pulleys are cheap!

I'd check the alternator, also; it might be causing the whine. Slacken the AC idler pulley's carrier bolts and remove the belt. Now see if the noise is still there--if so, it might be the alt.