Mk1 MR2 new start-up sound

[Sponge Bob]

I'm getting a whiring sound from start-up which lasts for a few seconds only...

It is only when the engine is cold, i.e. only first thing in the morning - but it has only just started happening...

Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be - it's not the radiator fan as I have watched it while someone else starts the car

Cheers

[andy mac]

Is it a pump of some sort? Water, or something??

[tuttle]

High pitched squeal for a few secs when cold? Often associated with belts.Possibly one or more may need just tightening a fraction.Check for wear/cracks/splits JIC.

[Sponge Bob]

I sounds like a pump, not high pitched as such - but there is no problem running the car at the moment... perhaps whatever is making the sound is on the way out?

[wedgepilot]

I'd say belts too. Check for excessive play, or any fraying.

[Sponge Bob]

It doesn't at initial glance appear to be any of the belts - could it be the started motor on it's way out... I wish it was easier to fault find.... grrr

[dern]

Don't know the mr2 engine but I'd be looking in the receipts for the car that you may have for evidence of when the cambelt was changed and if the tensionser (if you have such a thing) was changed at the same time. If the water pump is driven by the cambelt I'd be checking if you have a receipt for that too.

The only reason I mention this is because the tensioner in my golf mk2 16v started sporadically siezing causing short squeels from the engine shortly before it siezed which would have broken the belt if I hadn't been alerted by the cloud of smoke. I imagine that if I was paying attention and was more familiar with the car I may have heard the rumbling of the bearing on the way out before hand.

I'm lead to believe that the 4age (if that's what you've got) is a non-interference design so a cambelt break wouldn't be the end of the world... if it were mine I would verify that and even then be loathed to put it to the test

Mark