What's that noise?

[stargate823]

A handfull of times now I have heard "something" behind me in the engine bay spool up and run for a while and then shut off when I kill the engine. It's definately an electric noise. It almost sounds like a fan or something. What is it that's back there that would be making that sound? It's a MY2003 Boxster.

[tnoice]

:dance: I have heard it as well, I would be curious also.

[stargate823]

Well at least now I know that I'm not crazy. :-P

[JackG]

If you hear it when you first start it up, then it automatically shuts down after a couple of minutes, it's probably the secondary air pump. Mine is pretty loud because a bearing in it is starting to go. It's a high-pitched whine.

[schoir]

Originally Posted by stargate823

A handfull of times now I have heard "something" behind me in the engine bay spool up and run for a while and then shut off when I kill the engine. It's definately an electric noise. It almost sounds like a fan or something. What is it that's back there that would be making that sound? It's a MY2003 Boxster.

Aside from the secondary air pump which normally goes on when you first start the car and runs for about two minutes, there is also an electric fan in the engine compartment. It's located on the passenger side, towards the front, near the passenger side air vent/scoop. The next time you hear the noise, open up the engine compartment and see if the fan is spinning. IIRC, the electric fan only goes on if the engine compartment temperature goes above a certain temp.

Regards, Maurice.

[rmahawaii]

Originally Posted by JackG

If you hear it when you first start it up, then it automatically shuts down after a couple of minutes, it's probably the secondary air pump. Mine is pretty loud because a bearing in it is starting to go. It's a high-pitched whine.

I have the same problem. High-pitched whine sound only when the engine is cold. Do I need to replace the air pump? Thanks in advance.

[stateofidleness]

old thread, I know.. but suffering the same noise lately...

i'm aware of the air pump that comes on during cold starts and that is working fine, but now im hearing a "whining" sound which sounds like a belt grinding into something.. (all my belts are fine and intact though)

i think i've seen that this air pump is no cheap fix... is it possible it's the exhaust electrical fan? any way to test it without having to wait for engine to heat up to temp?

[deptotpr]

Searching tonight...For the first time I am hearing my air pump whine on a cold start up. Does that mean it is going bad, or is it normal?

[deptotpr]

Whining sound???