Howling at Idle

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FriscoGT

New Member

Dec 16, 2003

36

0

0

Frisco, TX

Dec 2, 2004

#1

• Dec 2, 2004

• #1

Since it started getting cold here, sometimes, but not always, I get a howl when the engine comes to idle speed. It goes away when I tap the gas. Thus, I assume the noise is part of the idle air system. I had thought that the black box before the IAC was to help eliminate this noise. What can I do to get rid of this? I have had to clean the IAC twice before and have tried it again now but did not solve the problem. Any thoughts?

 

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FriscoGT

New Member

Dec 16, 2003

36

0

0

Frisco, TX

Dec 3, 2004

#2

• Dec 3, 2004

• #2

Anyone?

 

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VelR5.0

New Member

Jan 17, 2004

25

0

0

SC

Dec 3, 2004

#3

• Dec 3, 2004

• #3

It's very possible that the throwout bearing is making that noise instead of chirping like they normally do. Hope this helps!!

Velez

 

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davenay67

New Member

Feb 20, 2002

10

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0

Redondo Beach, CA

Dec 3, 2004

#4

• Dec 3, 2004

• #4

FriscoGT,

I posted the same question a few days ago and, unfortunately, didn't get any responses. I have the exact same problem, a howling noise that only happens when the car is standing still and the temps outside are pretty cold.

It's obviously nothing to do with moving parts such as wheels, brakes , bearing, joints, etc. I also thought it sounded very much like some kind of resonance noise from the air intake system.

My car is a 98GT with auto tranny.

Dave.

 

danny g

Founding Member

Sep 23, 1999

375

5

18

Dec 3, 2004

#5

• Dec 3, 2004

• #5

was the idle tensioner assemby on mine. Happened to me last winter. went and got a new one at strauss for 45 dollars. problem solved.

 

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281Ponies

New Member

Nov 14, 2003

190

0

0

Dec 3, 2004

#6

• Dec 3, 2004

• #6

Same here on a 00 GT I had. Took a long screwdriver and placed one end on the tensioner and the other to my ear while the car was idling, no doubt then that’s what it was.

-Cale

 

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FriscoGT

New Member

Dec 16, 2003

36

0

0

Frisco, TX

Dec 14, 2004

#7

• Dec 14, 2004

• #7

Now that it got really cold here, I was able to get the howl to happen with my head under the hood. The noise is coming from the air box. It only happens at idle, typically when a decent load is on the engine and in gear (if shift out of drive it stops, or if you turn off the air compressor). I have a K&N with the silencer removed. I have not tried to change/clean anything yet as it was too late when I discovered this, plus I wanted any input you guys might have. My first step will probably be putting the silencer back on, but from there I'm not sure yet.

 

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davenay67

New Member

Feb 20, 2002

10

0

0

Redondo Beach, CA

Dec 15, 2004

#8

• Dec 15, 2004

• #8

I also have a K&N filter fitted, although my silencer snorkel is still on the airbox, so I don't think that is the cause. Maybe the K&N filter itself..??

Dave.

 

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Ferris Bueller

New Member

Feb 4, 2003

21

0

2

MD

Dec 15, 2004

#9

• Dec 15, 2004

• #9

Same noise here, only when cold and at a low RPM at low speeds. I have a K&N with trimmed silencer. My guess would be the K&N filter housing shrinking slightly form the cold and vibrating when the airflow hits it at a certain speed. Noise goes away once the engine warms up. Glad to hear its not just me.

 

Nater

New Member

Sep 5, 2003

239

0

0

Maplewood, MN

Dec 15, 2004

#10

• Dec 15, 2004

• #10

I had the same issue with my 2000 GT. It sounded like the noise made when you blow across an empty Coke bottle. It only lasted for a minute and then was done. It hasn't happened in my 02 GT yet.

 

Pearl02

Member

Nov 27, 2004

496

0

16

Kansas City

Dec 15, 2004

#11

• Dec 15, 2004

• #11

It could be the IAC motor. Try pulling the electrical connector while the car is running. The car will want to stall. Work the throttle and try to keep it running. If the noise goes away you've found your problem. I had the same problem with my Mazda B4000 pickup 2 years ago. I had to replace the IAC because the truck wouldn't start when it was cold. Pearl02.

 

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FriscoGT

New Member

Dec 16, 2003

36

0

0

Frisco, TX

Dec 16, 2004

#12

• Dec 16, 2004

• #12

After playing around a little more last night it seems the noise is coming from the IAC as the howl would still be present even without a filter on (just a little less volume). I guess the noise was just traveling down the air tube and out the filter box. My guess was the IAC was just getting hung up opening or closing, thus making the noise like blowing over the top of a Coke bottle. At no time though did my car feel like it was going to die. So for now I've just sprayed some Teflon lubricant I use on my bicycle to help this, which it has done a great job to this point. I'm sure I'm on borrowed time before a new IAC is needed, but I say that every time I've taken it off and gotten it to work properly again.