Worrying noise

[BI8759]

Flipping car is now making a strange noise . It's coming from the front and centre of the car as far as I can tell. The noise is a sort of pulsing squeal that gets faster as the wheel speed increases. I thought it was the fan belt at first as that what it sounds like (crossed with the noise my Merc's heater blower made when it was on the way out) but it's not. The noise is there only when moving and doesn't go away or change when the clutch is depressed or the car is in neutral and free wheeling. No loss of power or funny handling as far as I can tell. A bit worried that this might be something serious/expensive so does anyone have any pointers/suggestions please?

[Kevin]

It may be a water pump with the bearing on its last legs and they dont always leak a little water, easy to check take the fan belt off and drive round the block and see if its still there.

[bmcecosse]

" pulsing squeal that gets faster as the wheel speed increases " - seems to be wheel speed related rather than engine speed. To confirm - switch engine off while coasting - is the noise still there ? Next question of course is - does the car have disc brakes fitted ? But simple check anyway is to jack up the front wheels - and spin them. Any drag/squeal ? Any excessive play in wheel bearings ?? Any excessive play in wheel bearings ?? If it does have discs - could simply be a stone jammed between disc and caliper - or hub carrier - or if it has shields fitted, may have come loose and be rubbing on the disc. Or just worn out pads. If drums fitted - could be spring inside come loose - or backplate rubbing on drum - should be obvious when you spin the wheel!

[Dryad]

If it's none of the above then check the oil level in your gearbox!!! Just had that problem with mine, but seems fine now.