High Pitched Sound

[1990 Legacy L Owner]

I've acquired a high pitched whistle in my engine somewhere. It does it from the moment I start my car until it gets warm. I've been researching the problem quite a bit on google and here.

Many members on this board have a had a high pitched chirp, squeel and whurr, but none were like mine and none were a help.

It goes up in pitch and it get a bit louder when I accelerate.


I don't think it's the AC compressor because it doesn't change with the on or off of my heater.

I don't think it's my steering rack because it doesn't change when I turn the wheel.


I read somewhere on the web that Subaru's will put out a high pitched sound when the tranny filter gets clogged, is that true?

So, is it my tranny needing a look at?

Any other ideas you can come up with?

The last time somebody posted a high pitched sound, I believe, was in 2005. Somebody has to have experienced it since then.


Thanks in advance!

[Carbix]

Its called a TURBO.

[evolutionmovement]

Loose belt?

[1990 Legacy L Owner]

Don't have turbo and my belts are tight.

[Subaru for Life]

Water pump, may be? Could also be any of the pulleys.

Good luck,
Subaru_for_Life

[ericem]

idler pulley probably.

[mattyg41383]

my brothers '98 GT had a high pitched squeal on acceleration, which changed pitch with RPM. after a pile of parts including belts and a new cold air intake; a new water pump solved it.

so x2 - water pump

[1990 Legacy L Owner]

Well, I thought it might be my air cleaner because one screw was missing. I thought maybe the air cleaner not being tight on the one corner was making the air whistle. I replaced all screws and washers, didn't help. It did help acceleration a bit, though.

The whistle doesn't effect performance, it's just annoying.

Another problem is that after a rain, I try to start my car and it'll start, but it runs really rough, doesn't itle and a touch of the gas petal kills it. At the same time, when I start it, I hear water moving around. Is that just the coolant cycling? Maybe the oil cycling through? The check engine light is coming on and I need to learn how to check the codes. I'm going to search around to see if I can find out how. I don't even know where to look for the flashing light I've read about somewhere here.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I'm just gonna have to find it through trial and error.

[stipro]

The flashing light will be the check engine light its self. Once the connectors are together.

Check this out for the procedure and codes:
http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/codes.htm

[Tone-us]

Running rough after rain = Knock Sensor under the Intake Manifold. Check to see if it has a cracked top... if so, replace.