Hey guys,

I've got a 2002 Targa with 80k miles on it. Just started making a squealing noise for a second after starting the engine when cold (morning or afternoon). Does not make the same sound when the engine is hot. I took a video with my phone but you can't hear it very well, but then I found the video below on YouTube. My sound is similar but not quite as bad.

Something with the starter motor? It's also been very humid here this week, maybe something with the belts? If it's the starter motor, would that be an easy DIY?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Doesn't sound like a belt as I imagined it to be. Sound more like the starter not returning fast enough after turning the engine. Does sit sound like that if you don't rev immediately after it fires up? Keep your foot of the gas and fire it up.

 

Does it without my foot on the gas during startup. The revs spike a little at startup, thought that was normal.

 

Rev climb then drop after start is normal.

I agree with Hurdigurdiman regarding the sound. Sounds like the starter isn't returning fast enough or the clutch on the starter motor gear is if not going bad is noisy and likely to go bad. Obviously if it is the starter motor pinion gear clutch it shouldn't make any noise and when they do it is not a good sign.

 

Any ideas why it would do it when the engine is cold but not when the engine is warm?

 

Car didn't make the noise this morning when I started it cold. If it's the starter, should it do it every time or can it be intermittent?

 

I get the exact same noise. Happens intermittently, seemingly no pattern for me. I can have a weekend where is does it 2/3 of the time, then not have the sound for 2+ weeks straight.

 

Mine has done that for years on cold mornings.

 

I had a very similar sound to this until my mechanic found a loose spark plug and tightened it (actually he just replaced it). The sound was a blast of air coming from the cylinder through the threads. The reason for the sound was located in part due to advice from someone on Rennlist. Check it for yourself and why not - will not take you long to eliminate if this is indeed the problem.

 

I have exactly the same noise on start up. It is iterrmitent on hot or cold starts.

 

Startup squeal has gone away for now. Was quite humid here in SoCal last week, read somewhere that the belts can make this noise when it's humid outside. Hopefully that's just it for now...

 

Nope, that a classic the starter over run. My VW had it for years, sounds bad and can be embarrising but it won't hurt anything. The bendix (the gear that jumps in and out) needs to be greased up, that's all. Usually does this in colder weather.

 

belt squeal.

 

I'll put $5 on it that it isn't the belt but the starter. It's easy to check.

 

It's the starter. Mine does it too, and I'm too lazy to deal with it.