I have a noise in my 97 dohc that's driving me crazy. The problem is that it doesn't happen all the time, just mostly when it's hot(summer). I've had the car for 4 summers, and this is the first I've heard this noise. Anyways, when I come to a stop, it sounds like a chirp, so my thought goes to bearing or belt. But when I turn the car off, it whistles for 3-5 seconds, like it's releasing pressure somewhere. But sometimes when I turn it off, the sound stops right away, back to bearing or belt. And it doesn't do it all the time. I picked a friend up for work the other day, and it was chirping at his place, but when I got to work 2 miles away, it was quiet. The car runs fine, but this is driving me nuts. Any thoughts are welcome, but I'd really like not to have to start just replacing things. BTW, the sound is coming from the passenger side, ie belt side of the engine.

 

Check your belts first. Most likely the power steering belt.

 

The funniest thing hashappened. I went out and tightened the PS belt, and the chirp went away. I drove the car for about 20 miles, and no noise. Upon parking, I put the car in reverse, and it started chirping. I parked, then shut it off, and it "whistled" for @5 seconds. I then started the car in 1st gear,... no whistle. I consider myself to be a mechanically-inclined person, but why would my car make a "chirp" in reverse and not in any forward gears? I did change the trans fluid ( ATF+4) about 1 month before it started making this noise.Any thoughts???????

 

Recheck the tension on the belt. It will also chirp if the crank pulley is out of alignment.

 

This goes to anyone (obviously), but mainly to das, since he replied to me originally. Since my last reply, I've made a few observations regarding this noise. It only seems to be happening when I coast in neutral for a bit, like coming to a stop sign, or when I'm revving, but not moving much, like parallel parking or backing out of a parking spot. Also, it only does it when the car is warm. Is it possible that when I changed the tranny fluid I damaged the plug, and it's releasing pressure? I checked the tranny fluid level last week, and added a really small amount, but when I did, the noise went away for about 3 days, then came back. I've checked for drips after the car's been parked and found none. I really appreciate any help for this from anyone.

 

If you are sitting at idle and turn the wheel, do you hear the noise?

 

das, im leaning towards the throwout bearing.

 

No, it doesn't make the noise when I turn the wheel. The throw out bearing might make sense, but why only after changing the tranny fluid?

 

I haven't heard it squeal or chirp. It usually makes more of a rattle when its cold and/or when you push in the clutch.

 

I did re-re-recheck the tranny fluid level this morning. When I popped the plug, fluid shot out of there. After it stopped running I put the plug back in, ran it, no noise. Is it possible to have too much fluid? If so, where did it go when I thought it was low?