LOUD noise

Wyldchyld · 08-23-2005, 06:46 PM

I have an '89 951 and just yesterday it started emitting a very loud, steady, high pitched noise from under the hood.
It does not fluctuate in pitch at all and starts as soon as I start the engine and stays until I cut it off. Any opinions would be much appreciated.
Thx..
Wyld
*edit-- the noise seems to be coming from the passenger side maybe a foot or so forward from the windsheild.

livewirevoodoo · livewirevoodoo's Garage

A whining sound? belts?

Where under the hood?

Wyldchyld · 08-23-2005, 06:58 PM

I think it is too high pitched for a belt it sounds kinda like the whirring alternator sound that you hear through your speakers if you hook up your radio wrong..but MUCH louder.

I am not familiar enough with this engine yet to give a pinpoint location

But I know if you are looking down at the engine it seems like it is coming from the passenger side/middle and about a foot in from the windshield.

livewirevoodoo · livewirevoodoo's Garage

Hmm... a foot in from the windshield on my non turbo places the noise smack on the engine.

too high pitched for a belt can still be a roller/pulley under the timing belt cover (front engine, by water pump, under black plastic cover).

a stethiscope might help you track down the source.

Wyldchyld · 08-23-2005, 07:09 PM

I just had the balance belt and timing belt replaced on Saturday. The mechanic told me the rollers and such were in good shape. Here is another poor attempt at showing you the location:

AFJuvat · 08-23-2005, 08:02 PM

Ok, need some more info. What kind of noise, a whine, grinding, a whirring noise?

Take a long screwdriver and touch various (non-moving) parts and see if you can localize it. Bolts, nuts, and studs make excellent sound transmitters.

research and report back

AFJ

pokey · 08-23-2005, 08:29 PM

Cam bearing?

AFJuvat · 08-23-2005, 08:59 PM

That is what I was kind of thinking.

AFJ

Slam · 08-24-2005, 08:10 AM

Here's a thought. Check your starter. Sounds like it may not be disengaging properly. I know this sounds nuts, but with my car, last time I boosted another car I got a horrid whine exactly like what you're describing. Won't do that again. As soon as I disengaged the cables the noise stopped. I think it was the starter.

Check your electrics system too. If voltage to starter is squiffy then that could cause problems too.

Wyldchyld · 08-24-2005, 10:17 AM

Thx for the help guys. I will have to troubleshoot it another day seeing as how when I started it up this A.M. no noise was present. I tightened down everything in sight and I have my fingers crossed.
--Wyld

nynor · 08-24-2005, 01:11 PM

that is sounding like the starter. intermittent disengagement problem with the solenoid.

Wyldchyld · 09:06 PM

The sound is definitely back. What should I do when I check the starter? How do I disengage the cables? Lastly, where the hell is the starter?

--- FNG

Moneyguy1 · 08-24-2005, 11:23 PM

Your arrow seems to be pointing at the fuel rail....

Injector? I have seen them do some funny things...

You really need some basic manuals on the car. The starter is (obviously) under the car, on the passenger side of the rear of the engine. Can't miss it. As strange as this sounds, please remove all cables from the battery before removing the starter. There was one poster a while back that didn't want to do that because he had just set all his presets on his new sound system!! Any good shop should be able to check the starter for you. Not a really bad job.

Wyldchyld · 08-25-2005, 04:29 AM

You know the location of the sound is EXACTLY where you say the starter is. I will explore that and report back tonight.
Thank you all for your help it is greatly appreciated.
--Wyld

Wyldchyld · 08-28-2005, 06:00 PM

*Update:
It turned out to be the heater control valve diaphragm that is causing the hellacious noise. My picture was a little off.