I have a 2001 Dodge Status SE 2.4L Engline. I am the second owner of the car and got the car around 40,000 mile. I keep the maintenance up on the car. For awhile now I have noticed that my car is loud when it starts. This issue is vary similar to the issue posted by honeybee560 (Car Making a Noise). I have noticed on days it rains and when I get my car cleaned the car seems to be loud (ideling). It sounds like you can really hear the belts working. It is loud enough that I can hear it when I am behind my house. Once the car is running for a short period of time the noise goes away and it sounds normal. I keep my oil changed on a regual basis (every 3000 miles). I have read one form that mentioned about the heat shield. I have had two pieces of my heat shield break off. I have had the timing belt/water pump replaced around 80,000 miles. I had to replace the alternator/battery in the 80,000 range as well. I currently have over 110,000 miles on the car. I had the transmission fluid flushed when the car got around 100,000 miles on the car. I can say I started to notice the noise back when the car was in the mid 70,000 mile range. It seems to just be anoying but goes away after a short period when the car is at operating temperture. Again, the car seems noiser in the morning...and you can notice it after it rains or when I wash it. It is not a whining noise but more like you can really hear the belts working. Any ideas.

 

the only experience that i have had with my 2.4l with noise was coming from my tran. and the noise was only their when i started it up in the morning. do you have a check eng light?

 

No, the check engine light is not on. I had a few people mention do you have oil in the car. I said yes and I keep it checked and changed just about every 3000 miles. As I said the noise goes away when the car is up to normal running temperture. It is also more noticable when it has rained or after getting the car washed.