Aenyone

I'll try and explain it as best I can:
The sound (to me) sounds like a chirp/something spinning at about 1800 to 2500 RPM. It is only a split second, but it does it about 2 times before reaching 3000 RPM. After that, I don't know if the noise goes away, or gets drowned by the engine.
Details:
1. It will do it in neutral, upon reaching 18/1900 RPM.
2. It will do it with the clutch in or out.
3. Warming up the engine has nothing to do with it. It does it cold or hot.
4. It doesn't do it every day.

Thanks ahead of time.


*FIXED*
Thanks to everyone for the responses to my problem. It turns out that the rock guard had come loose and was flapping against the front fans. Got it secured and the sound is gone now. Thanks again, guys/gals.

Sysgen

Timing or balance belts rollers? That sounds like what I had and it dissapeared after a timing belt job.

Aenyone

Ok. Thanks for the quick reply.
I'll check the information/receipts from the P.O., and see when the last timing belt job was done.

theiceman

water pump ? if so get on it FAST

Aenyone

I'll check on it also.
Here's a little more information about the car:

It doesn't overheat. NO fluid leaks (antifreeze, water or oil).
Again, it doesn't do it everytime I drive. And I will describe the sound in a different way. It sounds like something that normally spins smoothly is 'spinning out'.
If I can record it with a video camera, I'll post it also.

DarylJ

I'm sorry, this is a Porsche forum. I'm afraid you've wandered into the wrong place for whatever kind of car it is that you have.

leedog

Maybe the power steering leaks from the rack, hoses, and reservoir like mine does. Then it qualifies as a 944

Aenyone

Ok, there is an occasional oil drop on the driveway...

1989 944 N/A
122,000 miles

krystar

maybe one of the belt driven accessories?

DarylJ

lol...seriously though....it's likely one or more idler pullies in the cam/balance belt area. If you take off the top belt cover, you can see most of them. Get your 17 (I think) mm socket in there and pull out the timing belt idler and balance belt idler and see how the bearings feel. If you're lucky, it's just an idler and you can change that without pulling and/or re-tensioning belts. While your hands are in there, see how your water pump feels when you spin it. Hopefully not gritty or grabby. Diagram here: http://clarks-garage.com/graphics/time4.gif.

The other possibility, as previously mentioned is a belt-driven accessory. I seriously doubt the power steering pump would do it, but the A/C clutch can be nasty. Mine was squealing when I first started to drive (every time the RPMs went over 2k or so), and then stopped after a minute or two. When I pulled it, I found the bearing race was trash and was able to track down a new set of bearings from some agricultural supply place for like $22 (the compressor used in these cars is the same thing used on many farm tractors).

nickg

sounds like the belts are in need of proper tensioning..that was the majority of the times i found the belts in need of it..they chirp or whine depending on loose or over tight. put you ear by the belt covers and work the throttle...

Aenyone

Thanks guys, I'm checking all of the above responses.
I had another guy locally who drives a 944 tell me that it sounded like a bearing (pilot or throwout). I have both here, and will have them changed if that turns out to be the problem.

Thanks again, guys.

Cone_eater

+1
throw-out or piliot

Aenyone

Fixed, thanks. *see top post*