Sound just started a few days ago, best I can describe is a metal object spinning and coming in contact and rubbing another object, very similar to the sound a circular saw makes when cutting wood. Only happens on cold starts and when I turn it off and on again, the sound is gone or goes away in a few seconds. I tried to isolate this morning, and when looking from the front of the car into the engine bay, it appears to be coming from the left side.

Any ideas?

 

If you let it idle to warm up, does the sound disappear after ~30 seconds?


If so, then I bet it's your air pump. The air pump injects air into the exhaust stream when the exhaust is still cold to accelerate the heating of the catalytic converter, as it isn't efficient until it's reached operating temperature. This is an emissions control device only, and doesn't run once the cat is hot.

The solenoid and/or the pump itself can both make strange noises.

 

Your air pump is failing. I believe that it's covered by the EPA emissions warranty. Which is 8 years/80,000 miles. Check with your local dealer if your under that mileage.

 

Yep, sounds like the air pump. Easiest way to be sure is to disconnect it when it's making the noise. (Or pull the air pump fuse.)

 

You guys are awesome, thx a million

 

Smoke, its actually on the right side of the car .

 

It depends on how you are looking at it. The perspective he said puts his left on the car's right

 

Damn, I guess I should have read the whole post instead of skimming, please accept my humble opology .