I know it's winter time...i don't think it's a belt...but when im acceleration...around 3k I hear like a slight high pitch whistling sound....almost like a slight super charge belt whine..it's not quite a highpitch like a bird. It ONLY shows up during acceleration...depending on how hard I'm on the gas...if it's like 1/4 the way down...i accelerate without hearing the sound but if im like 1/2...ill hear it at 3k for a slight second.. at WOT ill hear it real quick before it goes away... I never hear it at idle, when the car starts or like in neutral reeving...

I tried to pinpoint it and...it's faint I know I have a gasket leak where the exhaust manifold connects to the downpipe...but i had that for over 3 months and this noise just now shows up... If it's not that...I'm guessing it's a drive pulley somewhere that has a bad bearing or the belt is the culprit...

Suggestions/Past experiences?

 

It's possible that it could still be the exaust too. As the temp goes down, things contract and get smaller. It may be that the exaust leak is now slightly bigger. At WOT, the manifold gets really hot really quick and it could be sealing up. Do you notice it more when the car is cold(just started) or is it the same all the time?

What kind of car is this? Year/make/model?

 

I notice it sounding the same at all times...

98, Civic, LX..

If it's possible that it's just an exhaust leak, ill be okay knowing that...but if it's a possibility of something that cause be tragic...I get real anal.

 

This may or may not be the issue but...
The reason I asked what year and model your car was is because that problem sounded very familiar to the one I had with mine. When it got cold, I could hear a slight ticking at idle and the sound you are describing while driving at 3K on the highway. If I remember correctly, it wasn't exactly at 3k RPM but more like 2700 RPM. Does this sound correct? The 96,97 and 98 Civic LXs had the cat. converter integrated with the exhaust manifold. They were very prone to cracking. When they did crack, they made the sound you are describing. The bad news, the part is about $400-$500, plus if it's cracked around the O2 sensor like mine was, you have to replace the sensor which is about another $160, plus labor and you end up at about $700-$800. If your car has less than 80K miles on it, it may still be covered by Honda. They extended the warranty on the manifold because of this problem. Mine is extended to 150K and I've had it replaced twice now.

I hope it's not the case.

It's not really serious, but it may trip a check engine light.

 

I've been told the whistle is from the throttle body and is completely fine.... I have a 97 lx which does the same.

 

Umm, Hondaman, why didnt you just spend 200 and get a header?

Also, if you want to know if its your belt, start your car, when you hear the sound take a spray bottle with water and spray it on your belt, (just a small amount of water) if its your belt it should stop, or if you spray too much water it will squeal really bad for about 5 seconds...

 

Because it was replaced for free.

 

Drenched it in water..no sounds...I think it probably is a exhaust problem..