When I start my '04 RX8 when it's cold outside, I get this high pitched winey sound. When the RMPs drop below 1500 and the engine begins to warm up, the sounds goes away. I just started getting it about a few weeks ago. Does anyone else experience this, and if so, do you know what it is?

 

As you probably realize, sounds are very difficult to diagnose over the intrawebz...

Before you start it next time, open up the hood and take off the plastic engine cover. Turn off the heater fan (and the radio).

Start the car and listen hovering over the engine. DO NOT WEAR A TIE


Looking rearward from the front of the car: on your left (just over the wheelwell) is the Air Pump for the emissions control. This electric pump makes a noticeable noise when the car is cold-started (the car runs quite rich, so it protects the Cat from unburnt fuel).

In front of the engine, of course are the belts and pullies. Usual suspects are the clutch for the airconditioner (lower belt on the right), and the idler pulley (lower belt, middle on the right). Also look for noise from the alternator (middle at the top) and the waterpump (below and a bit to the left of the alternator).

The above are the usual suspects. Most everthing else under the hood (sensors, valves, and motors) is connected to the engine computer, and would probably throw a CEL if there was a problem.

Let us know what you find.


& For goodness sake, don't hurt yourself doing this. (you might find the above oversimplified, but I've no idea about your mech. abilities)

 

yeah prob just the air pump but listen to Silver's recommendations and you should b able to tell exactly where is comes from.....

 

It's like a high pitched buzzing. It's the air pump on the passenger side over the wheel well. It goes away in about 30 seconds. Only happens to me when it's cold outside in the mornings.

 

Thats norm and the sound you hear is some kind of air pump that ZOOM44 or STL was talking about sometime back. He said it there to help cut down on emmissions that pass out your exhaust manifold. I also heard that one guy unknown autoxer what ever the hell shi screen name is I dont know the guy with the bag on his head, removed his.

 

That would be Team RX8. How long have you been here?

 

Dude I dont know I'm runing on three hours of sleep lol

 

HAHA, what's sleep!

 

yeah what's sleep!!! but when u said the guy with the bag on his head i knew who u were talkin about hahahahahahahaha

 

Ok...well if it's normal then I have nothing to worry about. Just kinda weird that I've had my car for 3 yrs. now and this winter is the first that I've heard that sound, cuz I've started my car in 30 degree temps. in the past, and never heard this until this year. Thanks for all of the comments.

 

It's not "normal" just common Air pump thing....it only runs for a few minutes when the car is cold

At some point the pump will die....till then it will just squeel. A new one is expensive..try and get a used one if you want to replace it

 

Funny thing you mention that because I only noticed the noise on my car about 1 year ago (my car was 4 years old at that time). The noise continues now but only when it's cold outside.