Started the car this morning to an unpleasant sound. Upon startup it made a squeal (which sounded to me like a belt or pulley), but after warming up and driving a few blocks it went away. If I start it up overnight in approx 10+C conditions it's a faint sound that goes away, but if I leave it out in -5C conditions it's a rather loud sound, then goes away.

Any ideas what this could possibly be or where to start troubleshooting? I'll try to get a clip of the sound, but it's weather dependent so it might be a few days.

'00 C2, manual, 103k kms, no engine mods.

 

Same thing for me today... did you try pushnig the clutch in and out while it was making the noise... mine seemed to effect it a little? I didnt open the hood to look as it went away in about a minute?

I was thinking - Idler pulley - alternator bearing - throw out bearing (clutch) - or a Rat had crawled up there and was suffering thru it's last moments of life...
????
mine sat 1 week, no temps below 45 F

 

Your first guess sounds right...either the belt is slipping or the bearing is failing on the tensioner or idler pulley. If you have someone else start the car, after it has been sitting overnight in the cold, you can try spraying lubricant directly on the center of the pulleys. If the sound immediately goes away, you have found the problem.

 

Only tried the clutch when I pulled away. Didn't notice a change. I'll try it tomorrow morning and see if it makes a difference.

Hrm. If its the pulleys it looks like it's a trip to the dealership...

 

Or you are simply hearing the secondary air pump.

 

Here is a picture of where the pulleys are located. If it is a pulley, it is a fairly easy DIY project. Sunset Porsche in Oregon is hard to beat on the prices.

 

I dont even want to know why you have that picture.....

Pulley should be a DIY (guess) ussually the belt pops off really easy and the pulley is 1 to 3 bolts....reverse and go to the race track (or grocery store)

 

When and why does the secondary air pump turn on/off? Mine will turn on randomly after I have been driving the car for more than 2 minutes (but usually not after 6 or 8 minutes). If I come to a stop it will turn on and off briefly. I've never had a car with a air pump act like this, usually the are only active during the first 30-60 seconds.

 

TIM ???

Do we have a file on Fission X... I cant seem to locate any photos of his car....

 

The pump will come on when a specific temperature or lower is reported and will usually only run for 3 minutes or less. The pump shuts off if a certain rpm is reached, regardless of temperature.

 

Cool, thanks exactly what I was looking for.

 

Don't forget old polyrib belt. If a belt glazes it can slip and squeal. Check the belt for cracks first.

 

Any idea what that RPM is? If that's the case I could rev it up to see if in fact it is the air pump.

 

I think it is 2800.

Just unplug it before you start the car in the morning.

 

Going to have to play dumb here: I have no idea where it is to unplug it.