Now that winter has taken a grip for its coldest here in the frozen wasteland we call New York, whenever I start the car ice cold, there's a annoying whir type sound coming from under the hood. Kind of like a leaf blower that gets louder when I rev it up. But when the car warms up, the sound disappears entirely.

Any thoughts, gang? I have no doubt someone here will have the answer.
.
.

 

Does the sound get louder when you turn the wheels? It could be the power steering O ring and I think there is a recall out for that so you can check that out if the recall hasn't been done.

 

Next time, if you want to freeze, start the car, then take a long screwdriver with one end near you ear, place the blade end on each of the accessories to see which one is making the noise.

 

The recall was done a while ago. I'll check the wheel turning possibility later.

Thanks!

 

I've heard a rubber hose (not up my nose BTW) would be more accurate.
.
.

 

Try a hose, then a screwdriver, then decide which would be more accurate.

 

My car makes a slight mechanical pinging whirring sound when cold too...I thought it was normal. Doesn't crescendo when revving. I thought this was normal

Also, my rear end makes slight clunks when cold and stopping suddenly or making a right turn....

 

The noise you described that goes away after a while is the power steering pump or transmission pump/convertor.

Check the levels in both and check for aeration of the fluid.

An easy way to determine which is which is with power steering it should change when you turn the wheel.

With the trans it should change (but not always) when you put in in gear vs park or neutral.

Edit: Just saw that it's a 6mt. Powersteering it is.

 

Probably tension pulley - Rt side engine bay.

 

I'd say power steering. O-ring on the inlet of pump and also maybe the hose too.

 

Power steering O-Ring it likely is. The noise accentuates when I turn the wheel. I already have an appt to bring the car in to Acura of Manhattan later this month. Though it seems like an easy replacement, it's way too friggin cold outside right now for me futz with.

Since the power steering hose recall was done a year or 2 ago, I'd bet that Acura of Ramsey probably fucked it up just like they've done with most of the other diagnostic work they've performed on this car. A VERY incompetent shop indeed, and is on this 'ol time AZiner's list of places to avoid.
.
.

 

I hate cars,

Of course it's a 6MT. This fellow former Buick high performance guru wouldn't have it any other way!
My TL's Great Grandfather was a '63 Riviera .... 325HP, 445 lb-ft of torque.

So howz your Buick that'll pass anything on the road except a gas station doin these days?