Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Whirring sound at idle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 05-07-2007, 06:00 PM
  #1  
Grand Chancellor
Thread Starter
 
delhi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Home of the NIMBYs
Posts: 2,730
Received 58 Likes on 47 Posts
Whirring sound at idle

I'm wondering if the whirring engine sound at idle is normal. It's not loud. But should I expect it to be idling silently? Or is it a trait of the rotary.

thanks
Old 05-07-2007, 08:51 PM
  #2  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
What engine idles silently (other than a Prius)?

The Renesis should sound vaguely like a car from "The Jetsons".
Old 05-08-2007, 12:38 AM
  #3  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
What engine idles silently (other than a Prius)?

The Renesis should sound vaguely like a car from "The Jetsons".

i spit up cocktail on that one.. thx.


beers
Old 05-08-2007, 01:59 AM
  #4  
ninjarama
 
ninjarama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps you mean the strange whirring sound when you switch into NEUTRAL and you let up the clutch?

I noticed that sound, too... not sure what that sound is.
Old 05-08-2007, 02:03 AM
  #5  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
it is the input shaft rolling over in the transmission...

normal.

beers
Old 05-08-2007, 03:16 AM
  #6  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
NgoRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA, Rowland Hts.
Posts: 10,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
if the car idled silently, i'd be wondering what's wrong.
Old 05-08-2007, 03:21 AM
  #7  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
With a stock exhaust the car almost does idle silently.


Yes the whir is a trait of this engine. Unlike a boinger or piston engine.
Old 05-08-2007, 04:03 AM
  #8  
Thread Pirate, Ahhrrrrr
 
SmokeyTheBalrog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok, I call BS on this thread!

How can delhi be registered since Jul 2003 with 227 posts yet NEVER have seen on of thousands of the "my engine does teh whirring, am I oh noes!?!?!" threads?

Last edited by SmokeyTheBalrog; 05-08-2007 at 12:17 PM.
Old 05-08-2007, 06:24 AM
  #9  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
BoosTED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBalrog
Ok, I call BS on this thread!

How can delhi be registered since Jul 2003 with 227 posts yet NEVER have seen on of thousands of the "my engine does teh whirring, am I oh noes!?!?!" threads?

I concur.
Old 05-08-2007, 10:44 AM
  #10  
Grand Chancellor
Thread Starter
 
delhi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Home of the NIMBYs
Posts: 2,730
Received 58 Likes on 47 Posts
Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBalrog
Ok, I call BS on this thread!

How can delhi be registered since Jul 2003 with 227 posts yet NEVER have seen on of thousands of the "my engine does teh whirring, am I oh noes!?!?!" threads?
Calm down Sherlock. I registered back then when I thought about buying the rx-8. Then subsequent priorities and 2004 issues, I've left and bought something else. Fast forward to now, my interest on the 8 has been rejuvenated and after much consideration in cars of this segment, an 06 GT arrived in my garage a coupla weeks ago.

Or would you prefer the "Abducted by UFO while on the way to the Mazda dealership" story?
Old 05-08-2007, 11:14 AM
  #11  
Destroying Threads
 
tajabaho1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: (swartsnegga state)
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
^ that damn, rotary did it again............lol the whirl sound is all good
Old 05-08-2007, 12:16 PM
  #12  
Thread Pirate, Ahhrrrrr
 
SmokeyTheBalrog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
delhi I wasn't angry nor flaming. I was trying to be funny. I guess I should have included some smiley to that affect.

I'm Sorry.

Personally, I would have go with the second reason. "aliens kidnapped me and told me to get an 8"

EDIT: added a smiley, hope that shows the tone I was aiming for.
Old 05-08-2007, 06:35 PM
  #13  
don joker
 
kabukiyu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: puerto rico /boston ma.
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lol
every time i talk about that noise some stupid mechanic will said u need a clutch bearing lmao
Old 05-09-2007, 12:23 AM
  #14  
ninjarama
 
ninjarama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
What engine idles silently (other than a Prius)?

The Renesis should sound vaguely like a car from "The Jetsons".


Now that you mentioned it... it really does sound like the Jetson's car! LOL
Old 05-09-2007, 10:47 AM
  #15  
Grand Chancellor
Thread Starter
 
delhi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Home of the NIMBYs
Posts: 2,730
Received 58 Likes on 47 Posts
OK so the lesson of this thread is the slight Jetson-like whirring sound is normal and that delhi's strange disappearance and reappearance may be attributed to alien abduction.
Old 03-02-2009, 12:39 PM
  #16  
Zoom Zoom
 
Gyro_Bot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 560
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got the same two symptoms too.

When I depress the clutch the I hear a "whirring" sound effect. (It's more notable now since the car is older) So I see it's normal. That is good news.

I also get the same second sound effect, which is the sound effect of the syncros spooling up between shifting. I hope the syncro sounds are normal.... because... I REALLY like that sound effect. My passengers notice it too, and without fail "Wow, this IS a nice car".

One more odd sound effect from the car, that I've learned to enjoy. heheh. (This is going into "The little things" thread - provided the sound isn't a symptom of something bad)

Sorry for resurrecting the thread. It's a good thread to explain this issue!

Cheers!
Old 03-04-2009, 09:10 AM
  #17  
Destroyer of Guilds!!!!
 
UniBroW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ok, total newb here so pardon me in advance =)

I have the same issue. When I put my foot down on the clutch the sound goes away and when I let up on it, it gets quite loud. It also makes this sound whenever I'm in 2nd, 4th, or 6th Gear. The sound isn't nearly as noticeable in 1st, 3rd, or 5th. A mechanic that is not familiar with RX8's told me it sounded like a pilot bearing. I have a tad over 98k on it and I got the car when it had 64k. He told me not to really worry about it.


Is it normal for there to be a whirling sound when you are in 2nd, 4th, and 6th gear? It definitely doesn't sound normal. you can hear it over my RB exhaust.
Old 03-04-2009, 09:19 AM
  #18  
Registered User
 
HeavyMetal699's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mine was whirring very loud and its currently at the dealer getting a rebuilt transmission.

They said its a bearing.

Mine whirred in neutral and every gear. The transmission is louder than the engine.

But yeah, it has something to do with the input shaft.
Old 03-04-2009, 09:39 AM
  #19  
Destroyer of Guilds!!!!
 
UniBroW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm afraid to ask how much is it setting you back to have your tranny rebuilt?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
theblinkof
Series I Trouble Shooting
33
10-04-2023 05:24 PM
92trbolzr
Series I Trouble Shooting
24
07-08-2020 07:59 AM
mdl0209
Series I Trouble Shooting
14
05-23-2019 05:46 PM
Danield97
Series I Trouble Shooting
1
09-30-2015 05:59 PM
tommy26Germany
Series I Trouble Shooting
11
09-29-2015 10:33 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Whirring sound at idle



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 PM.