Rep Power: 0

So I've got this noise, which sounds like something spinning very fast (I jokingly call it my jet engine) when I start the car (maybe whirring would be a good description). It starts out very high pitched, and then will drop in pitch as the engine warms and idles at lower rpms. While driving, it will increase in pitch as I accelerate, and then drop in pitch if I slow down or if car changes gears. Its at the shop to have the transmission looked at, but should I be asking them to check out something different for this sound?

Imagine making the sound of a car driving, but do it whistling...and that is the sound its making.

 
Rep Power: 199

Happens to me too and i dont know what it is either. sounds almost electrical right? i find it most noticeable when the revs are at about 3 - 3.5k and you`re about to shift

 
Rep Power: 0

Sounds like it could be a bearing rubbing attached to one of your belts. I just had this same problem. 01 civic ex with 90k. Take one of the drive belts off. Real easy actually using the chilton's manual. If the noise doesnt stop then reattach that belt and remove the next belt. If the noise doesnt go away then you just proved your ac compressor is good, alternator is good, and power steering pump is good. All thats left is the timing belt. thats not as easy. First off if you have an amp for your stereo make sure its grounded.

 
Rep Power: 314

^ Good advice there... Generally high pitch noises are associated to auto tensioners. Since the only auto tensioner on our car is the timing belt tensioner hopefully its just a belt or a pulley going

 
Rep Power: 222

I am having the exact same problem with my bone stock 01 LX.
I'm looking forward to more info!

Nathan

 
Rep Power: 314

Most likely what was said above. Try removing belts.

 
Rep Power: 813

+1 for tensioner. a worn out piece will make supercharger type sounds.

 
Rep Power: 222

This engine does not have an auto/hydraulic tensioner.

Nathan

 
Rep Power: 314

The timing belt does have an auto tensioner. It is the culprit of many loud *** high pitched noises.

 
Rep Power: 286

+1 the d17 does have an auto tensioner and it does make a high pitched sound when it's going, mine's starting to do it at the moment actually... timing belt time soon i guess.

 
Rep Power: 314

Ahh the timing belt have fun with that one. It's a fun job Expect to take a couple days if youve never done it before. Pretty easy though.

 
Rep Power: 222

Gotta love Honda terminology. It is auto but not hydro.

Nathan

 
Rep Power: 286

I don't have a garage, so I'm debating on whether I'll actually do it myself or just take it to the dealership. The dealership only charges $300 without the water pump and tensioner, so I might just go to work for an extra two days instead and make up the difference in cost that way.

 
Rep Power: 314

Not a bad idea. I don't have a garage either and did the entire job in my driveway, including the head gasket... I recommend doing it yourself if you've never done anything like it because you will learn a lot. I don't know your mechanical experience is the only reason I say it

 
Rep Power: 0

Mine makes the noise to, really only when it's warming up though around 1-1.5k RPM. I kinda like it, sounds like I got a turbocharger. :P

 
Rep Power: 190

Props to the driveway mechanic! I remember those days...

And with $300, you could buy ...a rebuilt v-tec head...naw wait, thas me lol
Either way save the dough and learn your car, dont let it learn you.

 
Rep Power: 0

I agree with one of the above posts, I had limited mechanical experience and learned a lot through doing the timing belt job. Fortunately I found a post on this forum that took me through it step by step.

If you do it just make sure your timing belt kit comes with a new auto tensioner. Mine didn't come with one and the spring on the old one got bent. I didn't realize it until it was all put together and it started making the "jet engine" noises mentioned above. Replaced the spring and it runs great.