Whinning noise on cold starts (only when its cold outside, otherwise it dosnt make any noise.. which os good),, any one else get this?? After about 5 seconds it s gone. It kinda sounds like a fan belt or something sqeaking, whinning what ever the noise, is its anoying.

Anyone?

I wish I had an answer for you, but I actually just wanted to say that I was happy to see your post and am eager to hear an answer... This morning when I left for work it was 8 degrees and my E made the same noise, almost like it was saying "You've got to be kidding me".
My old civic used to make the same belt noise, only not as loud, and not for as long...

edited to say...
I just saw you were in the same weather as me this morning (Ft Collins here) - hopefully for our E's sake this bitter cold weather goes away soon - but more snow would be nice)

I believe you were merely hearing the sound of the alternator at maximum output (trying desperately to recharge the meager battery, which has just about exhausted itself in the weather you describe). It's not an uncommon sound in this neck of the woods, although this is my first Honda, and can only speak from experience with other brands. It was at least 5 below zero this morning, and although my Element is not garaged, it started just fine. It turned over slowly (compared to the way it does in temperate weather) but it fired up right away. I think my ears were nearly frozen by then, because if my alternator did the "Minnesota Whine", I either missed it, or am so used to it that I didn't pay any attention to it. I wouldn't worry about it at this point.

i didnt think it was really a problem but i was still going to mention it to honda and see what they say. Just more or less curious if anyone had the problem and then had it checked out. Thnx for the relpies

Hmm. I get a whining noise, but it comes from the area of the passenger seat. On really cold mornings it usually sounds something like "Will you PLEASE turn on the g** d*** heat!"

:lol:

[quote:796688f330=" "]Hmm. I get a whining noise, but it comes from the area of the passenger seat. On really cold mornings it usually sounds something like "Will you PLEASE turn on the g** d*** heat!"

:lol:[/quote:796688f330]


:lol: :lol: :lol:

The last couple of days it has been -30 c here. When I start the element It is very slow to turn over and when it does there is a whine. I believe that it is the belts being cold and stiff.

well at lest im not the only one with this noise... ive have just had 4 other hondas and none of them have ever made that sound so i though something might be going. Ill still have honda take a look. thnx for the replies :wink:

Mine definatly wines when its below 0, but then so do I :roll:

It really sounds like underlubed bearings though, and gives me a slight concern.

I am moving to Montana, but at least I will be able to garage the element there.

It was cold here too (63 F) and boy was it. Started up my car just fine.

63 ahhhhh you whimp

I think the whinning noise you're hearing is the starter. It's either the starter gear disengaging from the flywheel or possibly the starter itself spinning after disengaging. My Prelude made a similar noise, I don't think it's anything you need to worry about.

Alan

i believe it is a normal cold start/running sound.

mine does that for a few minutes at very low temps... i have lived with the cold for several vehicles and even the hearty gms had this 'problem'... now if it was a schreeching ( sp?)sound then it might be a belt or belt alignment problem...

[quote:be6afe1793=" "]i believe it is a normal cold start/running sound.

mine does that for a few minutes at very low temps... i have lived with the cold for several vehicles and even the hearty gms had this 'problem'... now if it was a schreeching ( sp?)sound then it might be a belt or belt alignment problem...[/quote:be6afe1793]yeah it think its a belt but, i havent been able to test it this last week as its been so warm out here.

My E does this in extreme cold. The noise lasts 5-10 seconds. It certainly seems like a noise made by a cold belt. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Hey I live in CT and it has been extremely cold here -10 at night and I have noticed the Whinning sounds as well it's ok after it heats up but I was going to post a thread today on this so thanks for the post..

I live in Pennsylvania and its been below -0 degrees for a number of days. I get the same noise from my E and it does concern me. I hope it is'nt anything to worry about.

My E has been making an unusual noise at start up lately as well - but the temp has been hovering around -35 C with the wind chill.
I wouldn't really call it a whine, but I used to have a Chevy that made a similar noise when we lived further north.
:shock: It sounds more like a cold engine, cold oil, and an oil pump that hasn't warmed up enough yet. As soon as the engine can get the frozen goop to warm up enough to flow, the noise goes away.
I think I might invest in a remote starter - then I won't have to worry about the noise anymore :idea:

[quote:558c7d04bf=" "]I think I might invest in a remote starter - then I won't have to worry about the noise anymore :idea:[/quote:558c7d04bf]

A friend had a remote starter. He came out 5-10 minutes after starting it the second time one day to find his car halfway gutted by fire.

whoops.

Morals of the story: a) have your work done by professionals and b) don't leave the car unattended for long... oh and c) always have a fire extinguisher nearby. :)

-brendan

A friend had a remote starter. He came out 5-10 minutes after starting it the second time one day to find his car halfway gutted by fire.

whoops.
"Whoops" is right. I always wondered what would happen if the remote start screwed-up and didn't "recognize" that the engine was started... and still continued to crank it. "Installed by professionals" is sage advice.

Why you Canada, Pennsylvania and other "up north" cold-winter folks don't automatically add block heaters to your rides mystifies me. I thought that particular function was in your genetic makeup.

:roll:

Why you Canada, Pennsylvania and other "up north" cold-winter folks don't automatically add block heaters to your rides mystifies me. I thought that particular function was in your genetic makeup.

We do have block heaters. Everything comes with it as standard equipment. Ever tried to plug in an plug that's frzen solid? :(

[quote]Why you Canada, Pennsylvania and other "up north" cold-winter folks don't automatically add block heaters to your rides mystifies me. I thought that particular function was in your genetic makeup.

We do have block heaters. Everything comes with it as standard equipment. Ever tried to plug in an plug that's frzen solid? :( [/quote:cf79837e17]

a) I don't have anywhere to plug it in even if I did have one.

b) my salesman told me Honda doesn't recommend them because they can cause uneven heating with an aluminum block. I have no reason to doubt him, I'm sure he would have been happy to sell me one if I'd wanted it. On the other hand, if Honda really believes they could cause a problem, why do they still offer them? Possibly because some people will insist on having one.

It's is kind of hard to have an engine block heater work where there is no recepitical. Also similar story as the remote car starter. My step father had an engine block heater, had it on a timer that would kick on about 30 mins before he went to work. came out and the front end of his truck was on fire... so what happened was a malfunction, (over heat) old oil on the outside of the motor poof instint fire. Didn't lose the truck except for some hoses and a belt. So I don't believe in it b/c I love my e to much

:twisted: :twisted:

Gas engines don't need block heaters unless constantly exposed to sub arctic temps (much lower than what we're seeing around here, yes even at -30°). Diesels on the other hand need them.

The whine everyone is hearing is simply cold, stiff belts. It stops in a few seconds and no, a block heater would not stop the belts from whining since the belts aren't heated.

Good info, pimpne!

-brendan

yep i got the same whinning
all the answers seem logical and i can say the sound only happens when outside 5 degrees and lower. On cold starts.

hopes the spinning whinning humming sound is nondamaging

toad

"hopes the spinning whinning humming sound is nondamaging"

Up here(mn), we consider the S/W/Humming as welcome sounds that the vehicle will probably start. As opposed to unwelcome sounds like, CLUNK, or zzzzzzzzzzzing!, indicating the starter drive is shot. More important, I think, is starting technique,(page 174-manual) I've finally learned: 1st try-no gas pedal; 2nd try 1/2 pedal; 3rd try full gas pedal to clear flooding.

mine does it to. almost sounds like cranking after it is already started.

i thought it was just mine. i feel better now :wink:

mine does too on cold start up. but it's new this winter, last winter it didn't make a peep, co-worker's CRV(it's '05 like our E)doesn't make the noise. Also noticed a similar noise when the A/C kicks on in the summer.. but it's more intermittant and much louder.

in both cases it's behaved and not made a peep when it's at the dealer :mad: