1998 s 70 t5 cold start whining engine noise

Post by **fields 100** » 19 Mar 2011, 07:24

Hi everybody, hope someone can help me solving the problem. She is whining for about 2 minutes on the cool morning, then the soung goes away for the rest of the day.Tried: completely removal of the serpentine belt and start engine cold without it, temporary disconnecing operational SAS pump -still does the same thing. Replaced timing belt, water pump, idler pulley and timing belt tensioner- still whines. Some tech suggested going with 5W30 instead of 10W30 (it is only 42K on the car), but I am not sure it will help. Otherwise the car runs perfect. Thanks.

Post by **jimmy57** » 19 Mar 2011, 09:00

When it is whining does the pitch change directly with engine speed?
Timing belt overtension has that symptom. I would think the old belt wouldn't be overtensioned unless someoen worked on it and moved it. If you put tensioner pointer back where you found it then the noise would remain after change.

Post by **JRL** » 19 Mar 2011, 11:06

Is it like a whirring noise that varies (exactly) with the engine speed (RPM)?
You said you removed the serp belt and it still does it?!

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Mar 2011, 11:24

Does it happen at idle, or only as you're driving along and the RPMs pick up a bit? The turbochargers whine on cold starts for about 2 minutes before shutting up. Not necessarily a cause for concern; just something they do.

Post by **fields 100** » 19 Mar 2011, 13:08

Thanks to all! The belt tensioner point is set correctly at vertical, 68-70 F, it is wirrling noise that I hear when revving up or start driving, not idling, no one worked on the vehicle before, when I listen without stethoscope (it is only 2 minutes I have at my disposal), the sound seems to be coming from the back of the engine ( turbocharger?). With a stethoscope - from the timing belt compartment. It started at 40K.Hope it is not serious. any other ideas? Thanks again.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Mar 2011, 14:46

Pull the serpentine belt off and see if the noise goes away. The dash will light up like a Christmas tree but don't worry about it, you are doing no harm.

If the noise goes away without the serpentine belt look at the serpentine belt tensioner bearing or the serpentine belt idler bearing.

...Lee

Post by **JRL** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:28

Could be the tranny
I've have had some that whine for a few minutes then go away when hot

Post by **fields 100** » 19 Mar 2011, 19:24

Is there any way to temporarely disconnect turbocharger and start the engine without it in order to eliminate possible turbo malfunctioning? Thanks.

copandengr · Post by **copandengr** » 20 Mar 2011, 03:22

My experience with a whining noise on a cold engine has shown such noise is most often associated with the power steering system. There are several things in it that could cause the noise. It could be the pump itself, a check valve, a kinked hose or pipe or even the steering rack. If you have a mechanic's stethoscope use it to listen to each component. If you do not have a stethoscope, a piece of flexible tubing might work as a substitute. Hold one end of the tubing to your ear and use your other hand to place the tubing onto a P/S part and just listen.

If the noise is coming from the P/S system, it may be something as simple as the incorrect fluid being used. As the others have said, other engine parts could also be the culprit as could the alternator or transmission. Just make sure you do not waste your time checking out anything that does not rotate at the same speed as the engine does. It just takes patience to find out a problem of this nature, especially it the noise goes away after a few minutes. This means you may have to repeat the test over several days in order to have a cold engine to start off with.

Post by **JRL** » 20 Mar 2011, 09:07

jblackburn wrote:Does it happen at idle, or only as you're driving along and the RPMs pick up a bit? The turbochargers whine on cold starts for about 2 minutes before shutting up. Not necessarily a cause for concern; just something they do.

Well one of mine just started this morning, HORRIBLE whine
Determined to be a bad alternator (bearing)----JUST LIKE THAT, no warning