salimshah

Winter finally made it to central Texas.

The morning pre-start Temp gauge is pegged below C.

With engine rpm between 2K - 2.5K, I am getting frrr sound ... similar to fast tappit sound or paper flapping. [it can be a valve chattering but which one?]

Seems to come from the engine compartment.

With 4 min into driving, temp gauge showing above C but still below optimum, I notice the sound goes away. Almost at the same time the trans low gear lock-up is released.

Now if I go 3.5K on rpms the frrr sound is gone.

Salim

TunedRX300

Check your PS belt, many squeek at cold when the belt is worn. Won't be a bad idea to replace PS and serpentine belts since they are so cheap, parts + labor shouldn't cost you more than $100, non-dealer price of course.

salimshah

Belt usually squeels ... unless it is flapping.

I will check under hood with gear in Park as well.

Salim

Lil4X

Don't know if it would help, given all the plastic trim that's under the hood these days, but there's an old mechanics trick of using a long screwdriver as a sort of crude "stethoscope" to track down mechanical noises in an engine.

With the engine running and the sound apparent, place the tip of a long screwdriver or similar tool on the engine and press the handle to your ear. Moving the tip from place to place may give you an idea where the sound is coming from (loudest) by conducting the offending noise up the steel shank and coupling not particularly with your eardrum, but the bones of your skull. In past years, people like JC Whitney used to sell an "auto stethoscope" that looked like the one your doctor uses - except it had a six-inch or so metal probe that extended from the diaphragm. The screwdriver trick wasn't quite as accurate, but at least you already have the tool!

If it works, that'll be $50 for the consult!

Hey, it works for my doctor, and you didn't even have to come to my office and sit around naked for an hour.

salimshah

Lil4x .. your post is hillarious ,.. it has been a dry forum for a while.

This morning I tried with cold engine, gear in P. I reached 3K without any noise.

Now imagine ..

Cold morning, hood open and me partially clothed with a screw driver stuck to my ears, sittting in the engine bay, my wife driving the RX in the neighborhood, with her head sticking out of the window to see past the open hood, chidren heading to school wating for the bus, and I shouting faster dear! we need to get to 2.5K


I think, it is something rattling/vibrating ... annoyance and not a problem yet.

Salim