Help diagnosing a sound my engine makes when I accelerate

Hi all,

I stumbled across this site trying to find examples of engine noises that I could listen to to help determine if the noise I’m hearing Coming from the front part of the engine is normal or a sign of potential problems. I am driving a 2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD with 150,000 miles on it. I am considering buying it because I really like the look And drive of the truck, but this sound is driving me crazy because I can’t determine if it’s normal or not. Is it possible to upload a sound file of the noise? Any guidance is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. By the way, I live in Prairieville Louisiana.

 

You”d have to .zip the sound file to upload it.
And not many guys are going to download and unzip a file here on TW.

YouTube is your best solution.

 

X2 on YouTube being your best option

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/D27wicTwsJs?si=4_VT6zNHXWR-0I0D

I recorded a video that captures the whirring sound.

 

Sounds like power steering to me. Is fluid level good?

 

That whining sound isn’t normal.
Sounds like a power steering pump or alternator to me.

 

Def not normal, could be anything on the driver side..
yes, kind of sounds like ps pump, but may not be...

ive heard a very similar noise on a taco & removed just the ac belt & noise gone...
regardless its a rotational bearing type sound, could even be alternator.

isolate it using mechanics stethoscope or go to a shop if your not the diy type...

200%, not normal...

 

Generally if its ps noise,
turn steering wheel while noise is at its peak sound & noise pitch will change with turning the wheel as it loads the ps pump...

if you feel theres no change, keep digging with stethoscope....

be very careful if stethescoping alternator as if you insert rod in an opening within the case, you will definitely need an alternator then....
I know a guy....
generally the bearing on the back side of alternator fails...

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/VjhfiVbxJLI?si=TjJwnFHyD_t0jcsl


https://youtube.com/shorts/RPzJDJFuZdU?si=xlRaEN3RNszQcAEa

here are a couple more examples. Thanks again all for offering input and guidance. I have an appointment with a mechanic on Friday and it’ll be nice to be able to point them in the right direction. Hopefully they are experienced. They’ll here themselves, but I already brought it to shop for a pre-purchase inspection and they didn’t catch it.