Whining Noise

[mr2mike]

Evening all,

Apologies if this has been covered before but I just thought I'd ask quickly as it's bothering me.

I've noticed recently (over the last couple of months) that occasionally when I start my car from cold there is a loud whining noise coming from the engine bay, but it fades and stops completely within a few seconds.

I'm concerned because while it's doing it it doesn't sound too good, but if it's nothing serious then I'd like to know so I can relax.

One thing I can rule out is anything to do with the clutch because I had a new one fitted not long ago.

Other than that I'd love to hear from someone as I'm hoping one of you out there has experienced the same thing and could enlighten me as to what's causing it.

Thanks.

[marc GT Turbo]

it could be as simple as the fan belt slipping ! worth a look

[fearless]

i also have whining noise my comes from my passenger seat its the wife, no all joking a side i used to get that was worse on damp mornings i checked my belt and it was fine only thing my alternator went last week it seized not sure if that might have been my problem dry and dodgy bearings, check your belt first could maybe be water pump my galaxy is noisy when i first start up and is fine after a few seconds

[stevenb]

If you have something to listen with then use it to help pin point the source.
A large breaker bar or a screw driver is useful.
Rest it onto the Alternator, and other areas to listen out for the whining noise by resting your ear to the tool your using.

Being an MR2 all the bits are hard to get to as we all know so something long like a breaker bar maybe of help.

Noises are always hard to help with on forums as we can't hear them but if it's lasting only a few secs each morning it can't be anything too serious.
Just get it checked out soonest.

[mr2mike]

Thanks for all your help so far guys.

Shortly after I bought my car the timing belt was sqealing slightly in the rain but it was due to be changed soon after anyway and that stopped it, but this is more of a whine than a belt sqealing sort of noise.

It sounds like a supercharger whining, but obviously it's not. That's the sort of noise we're talking about and it's about the same volume as a 'charger, but literally just for 5 seconds or so on the occasional morning when I fire it up from cold.

Other than that the car never misses a beat but I just wanted to be sure it wasn't something that's a sign of worse things to come.

I'll just put up with it if I know all is well.

[mr2mike]

Hi guys,

On this matter do any of you have a diagram (or photos) of exactly where the alternator is in the engine bay as I've had a look but it's so cramped in there that it's difficult to see (plus the manual is as much use as a chocolate fireguard).

Thanks in advance.

[Ian Geary]

it's on start up for about 10-15 seconds, and the stops?

it might be worth ruling out the electric power steering pump, in the front trunk.

this is definately audiable in the cabin, and always kicks in when the igition goes on

Ian

[mr2mike]

it's on start up for about 10-15 seconds, and the stops?

it might be worth ruling out the electric power steering pump, in the front trunk.

this is definately audiable in the cabin, and always kicks in when the igition goes on

Ian

No, it's definitely something in the engine bay and I suspect it's the alternator as it's got much worse recently and is now whining constantly so I'm not using the car at the moment until I can get it fixed, hence I'm getting clued up on where the alternator is as I'm almost certain that's the culprit.

[zooropa1985]

I had this problem, it sounded like a cat crying in the engine bay lol, it would be very whiney in the lower gears and then fade a little when in 4th or 5th.

Is your battery voltage thingy in the dash sitting in the middle of the white line?

I thought it was the alternator at first but changed the alternator belt and that seemed to fix the problem.

[mr2mike]

I'm sure it's the alternator as I turned it a lilttle on the starter yesterday and could see the belt going round the alternator yet the pulley stayed still.

It's obviously seized while I've been on holiday as it was making the occasional noise before I went but now I think it's finally gone.

The battery gauge in the dash has always been fine but I'm certain a new alternator will remedy this.

[Chaps110]

Mine makes a whining noise as well, i'm almost certain its the alternator. Not a problem at the moment but i expect it to seize unless i get it replaced. Gage is fine and its charging so i've elected to leave it until for a while

[mr2mike]

That's fair enough.

I think yours sounds like it's at the stage mine was before I left it for a fortnight, but I would be very careful if I were you as mine was pouring smoke the first time I tried to start it up when I got back and I reckon I was fairly close to having a fire if I hadn't turned it off quickly.

[Chaps110]

Yea i'm defo keeping an eye on it. Only picked it up a couple of weeks ago so i'm just going through that 'awesome' stage of figuring out all its little querks and foibles