odd whine on start

[95gsxtreme]

when I start the car and until it warms up or I start driving it makes a strange whine...this sound appears to be coming from the driver side...it sounds kind of like a police car when they just do the short whoop sound when they're pulling you over...any ideas? this car is a 1995 gsx with 64k miles.

 

[dieseltech]

Is it an old police car by chance?? , just kidding. Check the power steering fluid, it's a good chance your low and in need of some fluid. It could also be a bad belt, they too like to whine when they are cold. After the noise goes away when it warms up, will it return with a quick hit of the throttle? If so it's a good chance it's the belt. Let us know what you find.

Edit: It also could be a bearing on it's last leg. To check this remove the belt and spin each component individually. Check for excessive side to side or in and out play of bearings.

 

[sheldon]

Could be the timing belt or balance shaft belt. If your car only has 64k on it and you havent done a timing belt. I would go ahead and do it. Check your other belts also.

 

[andymoraitis]

I'd check your belts to make sure none of them are loose or frayed. You should also pull the timing belt inspection cover (if you run the top cover) and take a look at timing belt tension. If that seems good, the next step would be to pull the driver side wheel and splash guard and see if the crank pulley is cranked or separated. These usually start to knock when they crack, but it could be throwing the belts off a bit and creating the whine you're hearing.

Keep us posted,

Andy

P.S. dieseltech and sheldon - good suggestions and information

 

[95gsxtreme]

thx, I thought it may be belts...the only reason I thought it may be otherwise is that it is that odd whine sound and doesn't squeal at all, nor pick up again when I punch the throttle. I'll check the steering fluid, change the timing belt, and the other belts. I have a buddy whose girlfriend had bearing troubles in her GST and she went through like 6 alternator belts in just a few months, so I'll definitely check up on that too.