Alright sence the cold weather has hit...about 2 weeks i noticed a small whine(when sitting in the car sounds like the firewall) well at that time i had my dash pad off for a week, anyway its back on and ithought the noise was gone till you steped outside of my car. It has got a lot louder its like a low pitched whine like what a blower sounds like. When the car warms up it goes away pretty much. Ive read could be an alternator on the way out? I replaced mine less then 8 months ago and havent had any problems with it sence. Cranking is fine and battery holds a charge just fine.

So any thought and opinions its really hard to pim point the noise. Belt is not that old maybe 1-2 years. Maybe the tensioner? it doesnt sound like a belt issue though.

Thanks, Steve

 

Car is warming up i just went outside poped the hood which reminded me from before and now it has been smelling like gas lately. Only under the hood.

It almost sounds like from within the waterpump? down in that direction.

 

My truck does that too. My power steering fluid is pretty thick ,when cold, and the pump whines trying to push it. When its warm, the whine goes away.
Also, try holding a screwdriver to the different components that could cause the noise (avoiding moving parts and wires of course), then listen to the other end to see if you can pinpoint the source.

 

More than likely, what he said.

Power steering tends to be the "whiner" on colder mornings and temps.

Trans can do it to, but u say your hearing it near the waterpump, so its prolly PS related

later
Jeremy

 

Tha airpump can make some noise when cold .

 

the power steering pump is gonna whine even when im not turning i know that sound u guys are talking about and it doesnt sound the same ( the sound that u hear if its low of fluid or the pump is about to go)

but then again i dont know the real deal about how all that works.

Cold fluid would make sence...i guess theres not really any "lower weight" oil to use is there? Or is this a sign the actual pump is gonna go soon.

I wouldnt really call this a normal thing as it is a problem i think.

 

My Volvo 850 makes that sound when it cold and thats the airpump so i think most likely its the airpump.

 

Is this air pump related to the air tubes over the exhaust manifolds and where is it located

 

The airpump is located under the AC pump. Yes its related to the airtubes.

 

anyone else have any thinkings...i gotta wait for this damn cold weather to warm up SOME before i wanna get under my car again.

 

Alternator can whine some too when its working at max output, like say a cold morning or a low charged battery.

Specially when they tend to be bone cold.

later
Jeremy

 

first off, pull the belt and start the car. That will tell you if its something on the accessory drive, or if its engine/trans related. - also, a power steering pump is ALWAYS pumping fluid. When steering the wheels or not. It puts out all the time(like a good gf), your steering box decides whether it direct returns the fluid, or assists you turning the wheels. Thats why its power assisted steering.

 

alright good advice. Today it was like 35* ish outside started it no whining. I think it only happens when it dips under 25*

Im gonna go ahead and check out all the starting system and go from there. Id pull off the belt after that and do like you said.

Curious though the power steering pump whine is it the same as all power steering pump whines like when u turn at max and theres not enough fluid it makes that noise and when a pump is going bad the noise it makes. Cause it definently doesnt sound the same. Maybe a pump can make different whines i dunno lol.

The air pump is a pretty expensive piece i saw. How would you test it to see if its going bad and COULD this kinda explain the smell of gas when i pop the hood cause i know the air pump is emissions related. Its def more then it normally smells.

But ill go from there and post back if it continues and gets worse.

 

pumps can make all kinds of noise. rotors going bad, bearings going out, etc...all different noises.
the "BOOM/POW"s are usually the really bad ones....

 

I'd guess PS too, but I have to ask a stupid question, is the antifreeze good to below x degrees. Sorry if it is a stupid suggestion, but ya' never know.
Steve

 

A suggestion on the power steering. Last year we had a cold spell (0 degrees every morning) My PS pump was HOWLIN. The fluid in your PS and brakes attract moisture. After 18 yrs. my fluid was probably more water than anything else. I have a turkey baster I bought at a dollar shop. Each morning I would suck out what ever I could with the baster and top it off with new fluid. After the fifth day-No more whine. See if that helps, Not a bad idea just to get some new fluid in there seeing as these cars are aproaching dinosuar status.

 

That works or just undo a hose and spin the pulley thats how i know to do it when the time comes. My power steering fluid is pretty new, less then a year old when i changed it.

The noise has mysteriously stoped...temperature has been all around but i havent heard it sence prolly my last check in.

 

gotta love them 3rd gen grimlins....they seem to sneak into my other vehicles from time to time also...hummmm