I few days ago I heard some whirring noise coming from the right side of the engine, it comes and goes with no regard to rpm or speed. First I thought maybe the belt, now I'm thinking a bearing. Thoughts?

 

Sure you're not driving by a picket fence with the RH window open?

 

I think it's more of a hissing sound. Windows are up, no raccoons or plastic bags

 

I doubt it's the belt, either, as in my (rather limited) experience belts tend to make squeaky noises or, if you're particularly unlucky, clunkety noises followed by no noise whatsoever. Since it doesn't vary with either engine or wheel speed, it's probably not a bearing (or most other things rotating with the engine or the wheels).

Is it maybe the electric radiator fan, or a some bit of something fluttering or upsetting its airstream? maybe coolant flowing around? maybe the AC system operating? or maybe the heater fan or vent ductwork in the car cabin?

If the noise comes when the engine is running but the car is not moving, the obvious next step is to pop the hood and listen for the sound up a little closer.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I never thought about just looking at the engine while idling, DUH. I did look when it was off though. I put a set of fogs on about 3 months ago and they look fine. I was also thinking about an airflow issue.

 

mine has been doing that,,,, I thought it was the new tires I put on but I noticed it is worse on left corners when the weight is on the RF and all but goes away on right corners,,,, me thinks it's a bearing on the rf,,,,

 

Check your wheel wells; it could be something hanging on the fender liner that barely contacts a tire on one side when its the loaded side when turning and when turning the other way 'lifts' the thing off the tire.

 

My noise seems to start at slow speeds intermittently, it I accelerate the noise goes away. So a bearing could be the problem

 

Certainly could be a bearing; I've just never experienced 'whirring ans intermittent bearin noises. Thay always appeared steady, but speed related, and of course directionally oriented. Course, by the time we got them that intermittent could have long passed.
We have seen all manner of inner fender 'stuff that 'attacked' tires on turns.

 

I had a set of new tires installed and after about 9 months the noise started. I looked in the fenderwell and there is nothing obvious. I didn't shake the wheels left and right or top to bottom.