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Just recently my car is making a high frequency whine on cold starts in cold weather. The frequency goes higher with higher engine RPM in all gears. After about 5 mins of driving the sound goes away.

2001 Civic EX, Auto Trans, 108k miles

I've had the car from 0 miles.

Never had any trans problems (doesn't shift like it used to, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 9 year old car), have not yet replaced the timing belt/water pump.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 
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sounds like a worn out timing belt tensioner. its recommended to change the belt/water pump/tensioner at 110k miles so you are getting close. i bet that will fix the noise. once everything warms up, the noise should go away. its not necessarily a problem, just old parts.

 
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Thanks Gearbox!

 
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you sure its not a worn or loose belt ???

 
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locate general area of where the whining is coming from, however if you havn't done so already replace timing belt and water pump as it is past the time for it. 110k miles or 8 years, better off doing it then having a motor blow.

 
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My 2000 Civic has just developed a sort of short growl on startup followed by a high pitched whine. 120k on the clock, regularly serviced, great reliable car: pretty sure the belts were changed at the last service last month. The whine gets higher in pitch when you speed up.

 
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Make your own thread, you will get more responses that way.

To start you can try removing your alternator belt and run the car see if the noise goes away.

 
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I was going to say the same thing.

Nice to see an old name I remeber.

 
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Had the same problem. It was the alternator pulley bearing. replaced alternator.
Run it up with out the alternator belt and see if you still get the sound. Don't keep it running too long or the battery will drain.

 
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Did you ever resolve this issue?