whining/ticking sound when accelerating

hello,

my 2003 OR manual has a whine/ticking sound when I am accelerating. Tends to go away when I'm not. Kinda sounds like a cricket. I can hear it through the ac vents. Any ideas what this could possibly be? Thanks!

 

Certain speed/rpm? Is it the engine ticking or is it something flapping around in the vents possibly? My first thought was exhaust leak.

 

Happens at all speeds, I think. I can't hear it at higher speeds because the sound is quieter than ambient noise of ~ 30 mph+. It only happens when I am engaging the gas pedal. The sound rises up when I accelerate and dissipates when I let off. It's kind of like a whooshing/airy sound with a subtle ticking. Not terribly loud. I think its coming from the steering column or somewhere in the engine bay. I assume its not something with the AC because it feels connected to the gas pedal?

 

Exhaust leak probably

 

Belt too tight, loose, worn?

 

I also have this and have for a while on my 3.4. I had just assumed it was the fan speeding up as rpm increases but don't take my word because I have absolutely no clue. I'm intrigued if someone knows the root of this issue

 

i also noticed yesterday that my coolant reservoir was almost empty. could it be a water pump thing?

 

Check for exhaust leak. I’d start at the exhaust manifold/headers. If you can send us a video

 

what should I be looking for? sorry I am dumb.

 

The injectors are known to be loud on these trucks. If it's not an exhaust leak, likely an injector.