Weird Winding Sound on Cold Morning

[Griffin]

Worried about a winding sound my LC makes after leaving the house on a cold morning. I usually let her warm up for a few minutes before I take off, but just after I leave the driveway I hear this winding noise that gets louder the faster I go.

The sound feels like its coming from the front wheel wells, or just somewhere on the front end. I get the same sound while coasting in neutral (its actually louder because I have less engine noise).

The weird thing is that it stops after a 1/4 mile or so, presumably because the engine has had time to warm up? Could it be a belt, power steering, wheel bearings.....transmission????

Even weirder is I seem to remember the same sound, under the same temperature conditions, while drive a FJ40 back in college (like a dozen years ago).

Anyone else experience this? And yes, I searched....

/shrug

 

[2000UZJ]

Transfer case fluid is cold. It will get louder as the temps drop.

 

[Supra88]

I get the same thing.

 

[Griffin]

hmm, is it a problem?

 

[petrotk40]

no worries mon

 

[Trunk Monkey]

It's because you removed the harmonic balancer . . .

And yes, I searched....

Did you now?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/348580-turbo-like-whine-noise-when-cold.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/256915-sounds-like-wind-up-toy.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/136677-gear-whine-any-ideas.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/347269-drive-train.html

 

[Griffin]

positive

Believe all mine had "cold" something or another in it.

and i can't recall removing anything that wasnt replaced but the running boards.

edit: "whining," not winding is where I missed the search. >.>

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I'm just busting your balls.

 

[TheFuzz]

It's because you removed the harmonic balancer . . .

i can't recall removing anything that wasnt replaced but the running boards.

Sarcasm.

Common issue with the t-case fluid being cold, mine does the same thing. Once it warms up, it's good to go. Some say switching to a high end synthetic gear oil (amsoil, M1, etc) will help curb the noise, but I think it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[GaFJC]

Glad to see this post. Mine has been doing the exact same thing.

I was already planning on switching out the transfer case fluid to Amsoil (have it in the garage) next week. Will report my findings from cold starts after.

 

[bkgee]

Mine began whining again about a week ago, when the temps got down around 30. Happened last year too at or below "freezing". I have Mobil1 in the transfer and all other cases. I think the noise is pretty much gone by the time I get to the freeway onramp, about a mile. I just take it slow in the AM.

 

[RussKie]

Check your alternator belt tension, it may be it

 

[Griffin]

Glad to see this post. Mine has been doing the exact same thing.

I was already planning on switching out the transfer case fluid to Amsoil (have it in the garage) next week. Will report my findings from cold starts after.

looking forward to hearing it.

I can't imagine this happened to our LC's when they were new. I mean, imagine test driving one straight off the car lot during winter. /cringe

 

[splacek007]

Changed out my transfer case fluid to Amsoil SVG 75W-90 and now I have the whine (had it last winter). Didn't have it b/f w/ the PO's fluid (imagine it was not synthetic). I'd be curious if other SVG users have this whine?

 

[GR8OUTDRS]

X2 glad to see this post. Have the same whine, seems to go away after a few minutes.

 

[rusty_tlc]

AKAIK the cold weather t-case whine is normal, mines been doing it for years. It quiets down after a few miles. Not worth getting your* panties in a knot over IMHO.

*This is the generic "your" not aimed at anyone in particular.

 

[arbetrader]

Yeah mine does it too, usually when the temp nears freezing, and becomes a bit noisier the colder it gets.... However, yes, it does naturally go away after the vehicle warms up.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I'm using Mobil 1 75w90 delvac commercial gear oil. No whining, but the rig is garaged, so the fluid is around 50F. I've had it in cold temps before...no whining (at least not from the car!).

 

[KuroCruiser]

Changed out my transfer case fluid to Amsoil SVG 75W-90 and now I have the whine (had it last winter). Didn't have it b/f w/ the PO's fluid (imagine it was not synthetic). I'd be curious if other SVG users have this whine?

I use SVG and also hear a soft whine/whir for a few minutes at low temps (~30 and below) while the T-case warms up. If it's just gear whir you're hearing then this is normal. You'll hear it on most 4wds when the T-case is cold.

It's probably just gear whine if a) it gets louder as the temp drops (starting around freezing), b) the whine goes away as the vehicle is driven (usually within 5-15 minutes depending on temp), and c) you only hear it when the vehicle is in gear.

If you can hear it with the vehicle in park, it doesn't go away after a few minutes, or it sounds like it's coming from under the hood then you may have other issues (loose belt, pulley bearing, ps pump, etc.).

 

[GaFJC]

looking forward to hearing it.

I can't imagine this happened to our LC's when they were new. I mean, imagine test driving one straight off the car lot during winter. /cringe

This weekend I just changed out whatever fluid (I'm confident it was dino) the PO had in my transfer case with Amsoil 75W-90. I was in hopes my "whine" would go away, it did not. One morning it was 39 degrees and the next it was 45. The noise is still there until it warms up.

For all of you hoping (like I was) that synthetic was the cure - it isn't. Guess we just have to live with it.