legacycentral bbs

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.