Whine when engine is cold

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BSOD2600
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Whine when engine is cold

Post by BSOD2600 »

In the past week there is a new/bad sound coming from the engine when the car is cold. It sounds like some sort of whine to me. After ~5 min of driving it'll go away.

Here is a recording I made of it: http://bsod2600.home.comcast.net/subaru ... _whine.MP3

The power steering pump is leaking, but its full of fluid. I had the t-belt, pulleys, tensioner replaced ~6 months ago.

Thoughts on what it could be?

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
92ss satinsvoice
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Post by 92ss satinsvoice »

it defiantly sound like your power steering pump. or your timing belt rubbing on the plastic timing cover. mine makes this sound alittle, and its from my timing belt when i replaced it.
Andy
94 L n/a 5spd, Rip
92 ss burgundy, weekend toy - owner since 2006
mods: too much to list, lost track after $16,000
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tahiti350
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Post by tahiti350 »

Mine sounds like that all the time, coming from the power steering pump. Mine leaks at the return flex hose, and was run dry when I got the car. Still works, but always has a little whine.

Could also be the alternator. Try using a long screwdriver, and put one end on a safe spot on each accessory, put your ear against the handle end, and you should be able to narrow the sound down fairly close.
'90 Bermuda Blue L Wagon (Wife's),
Auto, AWD, Now with 275K + miles!



2005 Outback, 2.5 AWD (wife's new daily)
BSOD2600
Fourth Gear
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Post by BSOD2600 »

Well I put an extension to the power steering pump, alternator and ac condenser (that is the top thing on the right?). Anyways, none of them really stand out to me as being the source. The alternator had a higher pitched sound, but thats possibly what it normally sounds like under a mic.

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
BSOD2600
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1636
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:49 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by BSOD2600 »

Took the car down to a shop where I've had work done before and had a mechanic listen to the sound. He immediately said it was the alternator. So I ordered myself one and just installed it. The damn whine is still there! Grrr.

Guess that means its either the power steering pump or the AC clutch, right?

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

Take the belt off the alternator & ps pump, start the car and see if the whine is still there.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
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BSOD2600
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Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:49 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by BSOD2600 »

Heh, I was chatting with Nick last night and he suggested the same thing ;-). I'll have to do that some time this week and let ya'll know.

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
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