Noise when very cold?

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by kmw1191, Dec 12, 2009.

  1. kmw1191
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    kmw1191 Well-Known Member

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    So lately up here in Fargo it has been below zero, sometime -8 to -15 and I noticed when my car is that cold it makes a funny noise (sounds like tires rubbing on something :ugh:) but only when I go 40+ mph and only until the engine warms up. And this has only happened when it has been subzero
    Does anyone have any ideas as to what it might be? :???:
    oh yeah, its a 94 impreza wagon AWD, 5 speed, and no it isnt snow buildup in the wheel wells, I already checked
     
  2. rbuaslsliearn
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    rbuaslsliearn Member

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    don't drive it until its kinda warmed up. i just run out and start my car like 5 min before i drive and i'm set. it shouldnt be much other than a cold engine kev.
     
  3. kmw1191
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    kmw1191 Well-Known Member

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    that would be much easier if I could just go sit somewhere even mildly warm, but my car sits a solid 5 min from my room, therefore waiting 5 min in the subzero temps is not always my first choice :unamused:
     
  4. rbuaslsliearn
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    rbuaslsliearn Member

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    lol bundle up, leave 5 min early and let it idle for a couple minutes.
     
  5. kmw1191
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    kmw1191 Well-Known Member

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    I usually let it idle for a few min while scraping off ice and snow, but that still doesn't explain why it makes a rubbing noise, only when I'm going 40+ and only when its cold, and it isnt the brakes.
    and it isnt the gears either, because it happens regardless of what gear I'm in
     
  6. rbuaslsliearn
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    rbuaslsliearn Member

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    i have no idea then. it just sounds like somethings super cold cuz my car does that if i rev it a little higher when its cold. it sounds really ****ty. thats weird tho.
     
  7. errorcode3
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    errorcode3 Member

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    it makes no unusual noise when idling even? and can you locate where you think its coming from? since something rubbing could be many things, and even harder to diagnose over the internet.
     
  8. kmw1191
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    kmw1191 Well-Known Member

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    it sounds fine idling and even moving, until I hit the 40mph and up area, and as far as I can tell it sounds like it is coming from the driver's side, somewhere around the wheel area
    and it isnt like a metallic grinding, it sounds like my wheel is rubbing on something.
    it isnt rpm related or just when I take a corner or something, and I have checked a few separate times if something is in the wheel well, but its completely clear of snow and such
     
  9. errorcode3
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    errorcode3 Member

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    have you done anything to your car lately? brakes-wheels-etc
    and is it a constant hum or more of an off and on?
    tires wearing normal or are they uneven?
    i mean like i said it could be a ton of things, alignment, wheel out of balance, bearings, more things i haven't thought of yet..
     
  10. HiImBrian
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    HiImBrian Member

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    Just a shot in the dark, but make sure there's no big pebble or something in the tread. I had a little pebble in my wheel once and it made a little noise.
     
  11. kmw1191
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    kmw1191 Well-Known Member

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    I havent done any sort of work, I'm saving that for the spring :biggrin:
    and it is a constant noise after 40, until I slow down below that, and there isnt any vibration, so I dont think it is wheel balance or alignment because I can go 40 after the engine temp needle gets off the bottom

    I will have to check, why would it stop when it gets warm?
     
  12. errorcode3
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    errorcode3 Member

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    usually a pebble/rock will make a clicking noise vs rubbing.
    maybe a quick way to check would be to jack up the front end and see if the wheel moves, tug on it, twist it, just to make sure it doesn't move.
    because i have seen cars, like my old beater that wouldn't make noise at low speeds, but then would make a shaking/rubbing at 40 then would get worse up to 65 then would stop. but i never bothered to figure out what it was since the car was free, and i jumped it, trashed it too much to care.