So as the weather has started to cool off here in the northeast I noticed a whining noise upon start up. At first it as only until warm up, but now it doesn't go away. Its a MT car with 88k miles.

I found this Youtube video, and it sounds exactly like my noise.


Today I took some time to try to diagnose it.
It is definitely RPM dependent. It sounds like a bad belt tensioner, but not a squeaky belt noise. I searched all other threads and they all lead to belt or tensioner issues. I did the screwdriver stethoscope test and couldnt hear anything so I just bypassed all that.

I took off the belt to disconnect all accessories and the noise is still there. So its not belt or accessory related.

The noise doesn't change when I press or release the clutch, so I don't believe its the throw out bearing.

It doesn't change if the car is in gear or not, so I have ruled out the pilot bearing. (I changed both with the clutch at 50k)

It doesn't change if the car is in motion or not, so it isn't brake, transmission or wheel bearing related.

I hear the noise inside and outside the car so it has nothing to do with stereo engine noise.

I am out of ideas and would hate to think it has anything to do with the timing chain. This is my first honda with a chain.

Lets hear thoughts.

 

Oil pump? Throttle resonance?

 

I've never heard an oil pump make noise. I guess its possible.

Throttle resonance? You mean a noise coming from the throttle body? I can pull off the intake and see if it gets louder.

 

See if you think its the same as our '07: (...so much depends on the mic on a phone...)


The ultimate solution was to replace the A/C compressor. (I think it was the compressor clutch, but it was CHEAPER to replace the whole thing with aftermarket.)

 

In my case Ive ruled out A/c, alternator and water pump by pulling off the belt. I drove it earlier today and it definitely gets more quiet as it warms up. I will go back out later and try to do more stethoscope tests when it's cold.

 

Toyota S engines are using same design oil pump which makes noise similar to the whine heard in video.
If air cleaner (housing and element ) are in the good shape without mods, change the oil
Use 5W20 mineral oil with Honeywell (Honda) oil filter which is low restriction type and report results.

 

You ever figure this out 07FitSprt? I have the same symptom, also an 07 MT with about the same mileage.

 

That whining noise seemed intermittent, and it went away. I did end up having another very loud noise that was engine speed related and it turned out to be the transmission related. I changed the clutch, pilot bearing, throw out bearing and swapped in a very low mileage transmission. the car has never been so quiet. I believe there was something wrong with the transmission from the previous owner. No idea how so many things could have been damaged in 42k miles, but now its runs great.

 

In case anyone's still reading, I did figure out the source of the whine with my car at least- it was the idler pulley. The bearing was shot.