850SE Estate2.0 Auto 20 valve 1993 Engine whistle when cold

tedsy · Post by **tedsy** » 29 Dec 2008, 08:33

Hi,
When I first start the car there is a whistle sound that changes pitch with the engine revs.After it has warmed up it goes,although now Im listening for it all the time being paranoid!!!
Looking at some other posts people have mentioned the serpentine tensioner and idler pulley. Would this be right and what is the fix,and can I leave it till it warms up a bit first?????

Happy New Year

Mark

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Dec 2008, 08:59

I think it's more of a vacuum leak. Mine did this in extremely cold weather a few years ago...I was going to get into it and see what was wrong but the whistle went away on its own.

carp-guru · Post by **carp-guru** » 29 Dec 2008, 14:56

This is weird. This was my exact posting that I thought of tonight. Exactly the same symptom. The only thing I have noticed is a split pipe on the radiator cowling to the ECM on the o/s by the washer bottle.
However having just done the sepertine belt I neglected to lubricate the tensioners so it may be a cause. The noise only lasts for around 30 sec and goes. Only happens on a cold start though

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Dec 2008, 19:02

The only thing I have noticed is a split pipe on the radiator cowling to the ECM on the o/s by the washer bottle.

A very common problem and it really doesn't hurt anything. Most folks just wrap it with black electrical tape and forget about it. They are fairly cheap if you want to replace it.

...Lee

chuckcintron · Post by **chuckcintron** » 29 Dec 2008, 20:04

It's not uncommon to have this if the serpentine belt (on any car) is removed and then replaced -- accidentally flipping it around to change it's running direction.

But, far more likely to be due to vacuum.

Easy way to see if it's the belt: When you first start the car and it is cold (and whistling), spray a mist of warm water from a spray bottle onto the serpentine belt. If the whistle goes away, then it's the belt.

-Chuck