Re: morning idles...

["S. Joseph Mann" <joem@pswtech.com>]

I can't confirm this (I'm in Austin, Texas. it doesn't get that cold), but I
believe it's the power steering pump (or the air pump).  One way to possibly
confirm this is while sitting still on a cold morning with the motor whining
put slight pressure on the steering wheel, before the front wheels begin to
turn (right or left), you should hear the whine change pitch as the pressure
sensor in the power steering begins to ask (metaphorically) for help from
the pump.  Many of the old Mustang 5.0s with serpentine belts made this
noise even when hot, it was always the power steering pump on them.

Joe

Brian Wanamaker wrote:

> Chuck:
>
> Mine makes the whining noise, too. It's been doing it since the car was
> new. Almost sounds like a power steering pump that's low on fluid (but
> its not low.) It goes away after I've driven a block or two. The temp
> gauge doesn't have to be straight up for it to stop. Also, when I start
> the car in my garage in the morning (after opening the door, of course),
> the exhaust smells REALLY STRONG; stong enough to make your eyes water!
> I don't know if this is normal or not.
>
> B. Wanamaker
> 98 GLX
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Chuck Simpson [SMTP:csimpson@zeltech.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 9:11 AM
> > To:   jettaglx@igtc.com
> > Subject:      morning idles...
> >
> > Hi gang,
> >
> > What are your feelings about letting the engine idle in the morning
> > to help warm-up?
> > I remember hearing that it is bad to let the engine idle for a long
> > period of time, but I don't know if that applies to our VR6's.
> > I do let the engine idle for about 3 minutes or so in the morning, but
> > I'm starting to notice a real weird whining noise coming from the
> > engine since its been getting colder outside.  The whining noise
> > only lasts until the temp needle is almost pointed straight up.
> >
> > Can this be eliminated with synthetic oils?  I'm just wondering if
> > the whining noise is the friction of metal parts because the oil
> > hasn't
> > properly lubricated all parts near the top.
> >
> > -Chuck...