Gigsy

My 02 WRX has started making a whining noise at approx 50 mph. The noise starts to build up from 40 but is most noticble at 50-55 and then disappears above 60. It's difficult to say whether it's coming from the center or rear of the car as it seems to resonate through the cabin.

The noise is similar to the high pitched sound you get when running your finger round the rim of a wine glass and happens in every gear but only under load... on a trailing throttle there's no noise. The pitch doesn't seem to change that much either. I'm wondering if it might be diff or bearing related. Anyone got any ideas? All help much appreciated.

Cheers

Gigs

maci

iTrader: (3)

I'm not sure if we talk about the same sound, but I also get a high whining noise, but mine was doing it from day 1, and I figured it out that betvee 2500 and 3000 rpm is happening and it is the sound of the turbo So in my case nothing to worry about. Hope this helps you.

Gigsy

Cheers for the post, Maci.

I'm fairly sure it's not the turbo as when I rev the engine out of gear I don't get the noise. Also, it only occurs under acceleration and at a specific road speed rather than engine RPM.

nunosm

If you search this forum for the 55mph or 60mph whinning, you'll get some hits on that subject. No one has a 100% bullet proof cure....

Nick_Cat

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like the noise I get: only under load about 50mph but then trials off. However, I only get it in 5th gear (MY 97 UK turbo). It's not changed in the 6 months since I first heard it so I'm monitoring it for the time being and hoping a definitive explanation will be found in the meantime.
Nick

scoobfan

Mine dose this on different road surfaces and it's directional tyres that cause
the noise, don't know if that has any bearing on your problem!

Rob

Gigsy

Thanks guys, I've taken the car into Subaru and they've diagnosed a main bearing failure in the gearbox. Time to be nice to the bank manager!