When I start my S from cold there is a strange rattling/whining noise. It sounds like something spinning with worn out bearings.

It starts about 5 secs after I start the engine, and carries on for about a minute. Then there is a whirring noise, like an electric motor spinning down, and it stops.

It happens every time I start the car from completely cold, but doesn't happen if the car is even a bit warm.

I've opened the bonnet while it's happenning and it seems to be coming from in front of the block to the right (ie passenger side), but I can't pin point exactly what it is.

Asked them to listen to it at Crown Honda last week while it was in for it's service, but they said they couldn't hear it. Asked them to keep it overnight and listen to it in the morning, but when I arrived in the morning to show them, the car was already warm and it didn't do it.

Sorry for the vague descriptions, I'm hoping someone else has had this problem and can tell me what it is.

Cheers

Si

 

Sounds like the aircon unit - it's in the front of the bumper on the passenger side (behind the fake vent)

Mine makes a noise for about a minute on startup and there's a "psssht" noise and it stops... I've seen this mentioned in other threads too...

 

I agree - mine does similar and I've always put it down to this.

P

 

I reckon it could be the airpump which is behind the front bumper, I think it pumps air into the exhaust to help the Cat heat up more quickly. (Something to do with emmissions) Seems to only come on/make the noise when you start from cold.

 

with the guy with the stiffy.

 

Rather surprisingly not that many folk pick up on that one! takes a minute for the penny to drop most times as its childishly subtle. You would think that now I'm 30 years old and married, I would have got myself a new ID... Might change it to "Eric Shawn" as thats much more subtle.

 

When you start the engine (or get someone else to do it) put your hand against the front of the engine, does it rattle.

Try again with hand on top of the engine, see where the rattle seems to be coming from.

Could be the chain drive wearing out on the front end.

From what I hear, not very nice, but that sounds like I have had it described to me.

If it is from the front of the engine bay then as said before pump / ac etc, nothing to worry about, if as above though

 

Or Wayne Kerr

 

There is a fellow S2 owner here at work called Michael Hunt. He does not like the informal use of his name. Think about it.

Has any one seen...

 

It is this, and is normal when cold