Background:
I will make no claims that i know what i'm talking about when it comes to cars as i have only a rudimentary understanding of the inter-workings of my car. I have an issue with my '99 Honda Accord EX 4 cyl 4 dr sedan. I've recently rotated back from overseas (about 2.5 years) and am facing a divorce after i paid off ALL of the soon-to-be-ex-wife's things. The Honda has been sitting (after she promised to frequently start it and ensure its regular operation) for that time period only to be ran when i would visit for R&R approximately 4 weeks out of any given year. Over that time frame i've purchased 2 batteries in order to get it running during R&R after recharging the existing battery failed miserably. Within the last six months (i am currently permanently back in the states in order to facilitate the divorce and re-establish) i have replaced the gas cap (after getting a check engine light because the seal on the cap had dry-rotted and was allowing air to get into the tank), had the fuel valve in the engine compartment cleaned (suggested that it may need to be replaced sometime down the road) replaced the battery (again), replaced the air filter, changed the oil, bought another control board for the environmental controls (thank you junk yard) and tried to clean up the car in general.

Issue: Imagine the noise produced when an exhaust kit upgrade is added to a stock Honda ... now take that noise and have it occur on a stock Accord, but only in certain conditions;

-when driving at certain speed ranges (definitely speed associated, not RPM)
-my commute includes a climb/decent up/down a considerable elevation change so i've allowed the car to coast down and it still produces the same noise
-only when going straight or turning left
-when turning right (so much as a quarter steering-wheel turn), the noise stops
-it varies in decibel level depending on the speed of the car

I've rifled through your forum attempting to find similar problems but with no luck. I'v also thumbed through my Haynes manual to see if anything sounds similar but, no luck there either.

Any assistance/insight/advice would be helpful. I'm ready to just take it to a Honda dealership and have them look at it/fix it because i don't want something catastrophic to happen on my way to work one day. Thanks in advance.

 

So i went out this morning and took a few notes about specifics:

-about 1/8 turn on the steering wheel to the right will cause the noise to cease while traveling straight
-the noise is audible at all speeds (up to 65 mph tested this morning) especially if you turn the wheel to the right and recognize what sounds stop
-the sound is noticeably audible beginning around 30 mph and gets louder with increasing speed until about 55 when it can be described more as a whine (assuming because of the frequency of the noise)

note: my first car ('78 Datsun 510 station wagon) was making similar noises before the rear end locked up because the lubricant plug had vibrated out and left an empty gearbox. This is why the noise concerns me.

 

Wheel bearing is a possibility.

Suggest finding a good shop to diagnose the repair. Check Angies List or ask at local auto parts store for help.

good luck

 

Appreciate the suggestion. I'll keep you posted (pun intended) about what i find out.

 

I took it to a local Honda dealership and they determined that it wasn't A wheel bearing ... it was THREE of them. The technician said that it looked like someone may have been hitting/jumping curbs with the vehicle and that caused the degradation of the wheel bearings (right rear and both front). They also fixed a number of other things that needed attention on the vehicle so i am very pleased with the service. And she sounds and handles like a new car. She made a 600 mile trip the day after i picked her up (working out of state) and i'll be going back in order to attend a divorce hearing. i'll have to thank my soon-to-be-ex-wife for taking such good care of my car while i was in Afghanistan for over two years (right now your analog sarcasm meter should be deflecting ...)

 

Well, glad the car is doing better.......sorry about the other.