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Please help me diagnose this noise from my car when the engine is cold.?

Seeking opinions on this concerning noise.

Background:

2010 Acura TL, 90k miles. Pretty consistently serviced, at least not neglected. I'm the original owner. The car's been great--not a bit of trouble in ten years.

Now the noise as best I can describe it.

It sounds vaguely like something is rubbing on something. Not metal on metal or anything that obvious. It may not be anything rubbing at all, but that's the best way to describe the noise.

The noise is not constant, but it's not exactly intermittent either. It's kind of on again-off again in very short cycles, but it's not regular or rhythmic.

It's coming (I think) from the engine compartment, and with the hood up and the car idling it is very easy to hear, but oddly I cannot tell exactly where the sound comes from. It's everywhere and nowhere.

The sound can be quite bad when I first start the car. After it's been going for awhile the noise lessens and eventually goes away. If the car is warm the noise won't come back after a short stop.

The noise isn't affected by turning the wheel or using the brake. Because I am driving, I don't know for sure whether it is affected by my speed.

Engine oil is full and clean.

Nothing obviously broken or leaking.

Car drives normally.

Here's a video. It's not superb, but maybe good enough. Clearest examples are around :50, 1:07, and :28.

I made the video a week or two ago. The sound is a little worse now. 

Weather is cold but not freezing.

youtu.be/UPnakPqKnSA

Thanks!

3 Answers

Relevance
  • 4 months ago

    It sounds like a cavitating power steering pump. Check the power steering reservoir level. Honda's have a common problem with the o-ring on the PS return line at the pump fitting that goes bad and sucks air. I'd go to the dealer and buy a new o-ring and install it. It's very easy to do yourself. I'd also buy a bottle of Lucas power steering additive and add it. The pump will be noisy for a few minutes after putting the LUCAS in the system until it mixes with the PS fluid. The Lucas additive not only quiets any noise but is great at keeping the rack seals from hardening and leaking inside the tie rod bellow boots.

  • 4 months ago

    Sounds like you need a new harmonic balancer but i can be wrong. they are like 80 dollars. 

  • Anonymous
    4 months ago

    Take serpentine belt off and start it for a few seconds and see if the sound it still there. Sounds like a bearing going out in an accessory like alternator or air pump.

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