As of today, I've been hearing what I would describe as a whirring sound coming from the front of the engine. The pitch of the sound changes as the engine revs go up or down. I'm thinking it is coming from either the oil or water pump.

Any ideas or suggestions? Am I in trouble?

 

If its from the front of the motor, i would double check the belts. If they are okay i would probably put my money on the water pump.

Has it been running weird at all? Or is it just the 'whirr'

 

Really hard to diagnose sounds over a forum without a video clip.

 

Not the belt. Coming from inside the front. It runs the same, just making a new noise. I'm gonna take a better look at it when I get off of work today. I'll post any results

 

Maybe the timing chain tensioner is wore out. Or like you had said Oil pump, or water pump. My money is on the timing belt tensioner. Water pump making noise like that would either be leaking or you'd be overheating. If it were the oil pump, you'd see it in the oil pressure. There is an oil gauge on those older trucks right?

 

No oil gauge, just a dummy light. It was a third of a quart low on oil so I topped it off this morning. When I got home from work I popped the hood to try and track down the noise and it had pretty much gone away. It was much louder yesterday... Maybe she is just whining because it is that time of the month. I will let you know if I come up with anything.

 

Did you check your belt tension. If it's loose or any pulley is able to move off center it will sound pretty bad.