my 02 beetle makes a noise at cold start up

[spombe]

I noticed recently that my 02 beetle makes a noise like "kazoo" when I start her up cold. I bought her used 5 month ago and never noticed that before. The noise lasts for only a second and then goes away. My last oil change was 800 miles ago, and the oil level now is just above the line where I should add oil again. Other than that, she runs fine. When start up warm, there's no noise. Any ideas?

[Smileybug]

High pitch? low pitch? Grinding?

I've been getting a noise on cold starts that an almost grind sound. Its something with my starter. Didn't really notice it until it got really really cold here this winter.

[spombe]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

High pitch? low pitch? Grinding?

I've been getting a noise on cold starts that an almost grind sound. Its something with my starter. Didn't really notice it until it got really really cold here this winter.

It's more like grinding but it's not very harsh. I'm in California and it's not really cold here - -||| Did you replace anything after you noticed that?

[oceanjoe89]

I'm gonna vote secondary air pump... do some searching on that, and i bet you will find numerous threads and posts about situations similar to yours!

good luck!

[Smileybug]

I haven't. I've read its just something that is a bit dirty. I had started a thread on here about it a bit ago. I'm going to see what happens once the weather gets warmer. If it continues, then I might do something about it. I noticed it about 2 months ago now probably. Its a moderate to high pitched whine/grind. Lasts for about a second, literally.

Edit: Here is the thread I started. Grinding on startup

[spombe]

Originally Posted by oceanjoe89

I'm gonna vote secondary air pump... do some searching on that, and i bet you will find numerous threads and posts about situations similar to yours!

good luck!

@oceanjoe89, thank u.. I'm not sure, gonna do some research on that. If it is the secondary air pump, i think i'll have to take it to a mechanic ((

[spombe]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

I haven't. I've read its just something that is a bit dirty. I had started a thread on here about it a bit ago. I'm going to see what happens once the weather gets warmer. If it continues, then I might do something about it. I noticed it about 2 months ago now probably. Its a moderate to high pitched whine/grind. Lasts for about a second, literally.

Edit: Here is the thread I started. Grinding on startup

Thank you for the link, Smileybug. Seems that mine is having the same problem as yours. The noise happens at the end of startup, yes. This morning I turned it off and on a few times, and it did that every time. After I drove it to school, I tried again, and this time it was all right. Only that it is in the 50s here today- -|| Gonna try it a few times more and will update. Or I'll have it checked up this weekend when I have its back brake replaced

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by oceanjoe89

I'm gonna vote secondary air pump... do some searching on that, and i bet you will find numerous threads and posts about situations similar to yours!

good luck!

I second that vote... I need to post a YouTube video of mine and the odd noises they make on a cold start. Something to do Wednesday.

[spombe]

Yeah that'll be very helpful! Please post the link here once you post the video!

[Smileybug]

A grinding would be the secondary air pump? I know mine definitely sounds like starter grind...

[Toad]

I know both the starter noise and air pump noises well.

The air pump sounds like a little vacuum going under the hood and goes roughly 30 seconds before turning off.

The sticking starter sounds like a low pitched second or so "wrghwhoooo" or something. I would easily guess thats what your hearing. If you say it sounds like a low pitched kazoo

[spombe]

Toad, yes, the noise sounds more like what you describle as the sticking starter. It lasts for just a second so it shouldn't be the air pump.. So does it mean there're problems with the starter? Do I need to do anything? Btw when I started it this afternoon it didn't make that noise. I don't know if it will do it again tmr morning. Gonna try.

[Toad]

The rod in the starter needs to be greased or something, i don't know. I had my beetle for 3 years ad it made that sound for a good duration of that time and I didn't do anything about it. It never got better or worse. So i just left it as is.

[archiebug]

Its just the starter sticking slightly, happens on most MK4 Golf based cars. You can solve it by either greasing up the armature inside the starter (sometimes cures it), replace the starter, or ignore it until it breaks, most people have this noise for years with no adverse problems.

It usually goes away when the weather is warmer, then reappears when it gets cold again

My advice - ignore it

[kyliak]

hey hey, I just had this fixed on my car you need to have the gears greased on your starter. Don't let them con you into replacing the whole thing though, its a bit of labor but should be a cheap fix.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by D2Beetle

I second that vote... I need to post a YouTube video of mine and the odd noises they make on a cold start. Something to do Wednesday.

3rd vote.. SAI(secondary air injection) at start up is a normal operation. Kinda sound's like a vacuum. The pupose of this pump is to inject filtered air into the exhaust stream to clean-up emissions ON COLD STARTS ONLY. You should not hear this if the car is warm...

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

3rd vote.. SAI(secondary air injection) at start up is a normal operation. Kinda sound's like a vacuum. The pupose of this pump is to inject filtered air into the exhaust stream to clean-up emissions ON COLD STARTS ONLY. You should not hear this if the car is warm...

Well it was in the 60's and 70's yesterday so the SAP never came on when I started it. I'll have to wait for it to get cooler and try again.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by D2Beetle

Well it was in the 60's and 70's yesterday so the SAP never came on when I started it. I'll have to wait for it to get cooler and try again.

Sure rub our noses in it......Lol....Still cold here.....Can't wait for some warm weather here..

[spombe]

Yeah, now it's getting very warm and it isn't making that noise anymore. I guess I'll just leave it. Thank you for your advice.

Originally Posted by Toad

The rod in the starter needs to be greased or something, i don't know. I had my beetle for 3 years ad it made that sound for a good duration of that time and I didn't do anything about it. It never got better or worse. So i just left it as is.

[spombe]

Originally Posted by kyliak

hey hey, I just had this fixed on my car you need to have the gears greased on your starter. Don't let them con you into replacing the whole thing though, its a bit of labor but should be a cheap fix.

Hey, thanks! Now it's warmer and the car isn't making that noise anymore. Thank you for your advice! I'll try that when winter comes