LotusS4S Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I have owned 4cyl Esprits before but never encountered a whine that I hear from the passenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawty_82 Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I have owned 4cyl Esprits before but never encountered a whine that I hear from the passenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_sekinger Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I have owned 4cyl Esprits before but never encountered a whine that I hear from the passenger Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM cweeden Posted October 11, 2007 Gold FFM Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 (edited) Is it related to engine RPM or to the road speed? If it is RPM related then you might want to check the belts for tension (also check the intermediate shaft for wear in the bearings while you are at it). If it is road speed related then I would agree with Mike above. I should add that tight belts can often whine. cheers -Chris Edited October 11, 2007 by cweeden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actwon Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I have owned 4cyl Esprits before but never encountered a whine that I hear from the passenger Quote actwon ------ '14 Nike Shox '12 Range Rover Sport '01 Esprit V8 '95 Ducati 916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusS4S Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Does the whining go away when you let off the throttle? YES.. It goes away until I either rev the engine or speed up. If I'm driving at 40 and put it in neutral, then the whining decreases significantly, buy as soon as I engage a gear and the rev goes up the sound increases. I will check my belts... the car is still quite new and the belts seem fine by visual and touch. I'll have to take it in for an inspection. I'll try to take a sound bite but that might be difficult. It is not a super loud whine... It's a consistant whine (bit of a buzz to it).. It reminds me of an old aftermarket stereo amp I had in my Honda... When ever I had my headlights on and increased speed, it would buzz and whine.... That's as close as I can describe it.. Thanks guys for the info. So, Does the whining go away when you let off the throttle? If you're driving in a gear and the rpms are steady do you hear it? How about when you are in reverse? Can you post a sound bite? If it sounds like it's sucking air and the sucking/whining goes away when you let off the throttle, but you're still moving at a good rate of speed, I would inspect the hoses on your turbos. It could, pretty much, be anything. Without more information or a sound bite, I can only speculate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmxa Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 FWIW my 97 is also doing this and has been for the last few years. Quote Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actwon Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Does the whining go away when you let off the throttle? YES.. It goes away until I either rev the engine or speed up. If I'm driving at 40 and put it in neutral, then the whining decreases significantly, buy as soon as I engage a gear and the rev goes up the sound increases. I will check my belts... the car is still quite new and the belts seem fine by visual and touch. I'll have to take it in for an inspection. I'll try to take a sound bite but that might be difficult. It is not a super loud whine... It's a consistant whine (bit of a buzz to it).. It reminds me of an old aftermarket stereo amp I had in my Honda... When ever I had my headlights on and increased speed, it would buzz and whine.... That's as close as I can describe it.. Thanks guys for the info. Do you have an after market stereo system? Is it a vendor other than Alpine? If so, it could be that your power wires for your stereo, amp, whatever is ran next to your speaker wires. This will cause that type of whining. Is your stereo on while you are driving? if so, turn it off and see if you still get the noise. Quote actwon ------ '14 Nike Shox '12 Range Rover Sport '01 Esprit V8 '95 Ducati 916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmxa Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I've always suspected the alternator, yet it's charging just fine and everything works. Quote Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusS4S Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 The first thing I checked was the stereo (OEM), and then checked other electronics too... The alternator sounds suspicious but then again I'm not too sure. I drove in an '02 last year for several days and it did not have that same sound (quieter cabin). I've always suspected the alternator, yet it's charging just fine and everything works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actwon Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 The first thing I checked was the stereo (OEM), and then checked other electronics too... The alternator sounds suspicious but then again I'm not too sure. I drove in an '02 last year for several days and it did not have that same sound (quieter cabin). Where do you live? Perhaps someone close to you can come and help out. Quote actwon ------ '14 Nike Shox '12 Range Rover Sport '01 Esprit V8 '95 Ducati 916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusS4S Posted October 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I know this might sound bad but.... I'm afraid an "expert" owner will walk into my car, listen to the noise and say, "dude... what you hear is normal" and then I go onto learn that this is the normal sound of the toothed timing belt that carries the whining sound.... I just know that my older 4cyl Esprits did not have this loud of a whine... I am in california and I will try some local folks. I can always just take it to get checked by a dealership. Thanks Where do you live? Perhaps someone close to you can come and help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmxa Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 If you're in the OC area we're all meeting this Saturday at the Cars and Coffee thing in Irvine - we can compare whines! Quote Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Günter Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 (edited) If you're in the OC area .... - we can compare whines! by comparing some glas of Wine! Thats fine art... . :laughing: Edited October 12, 2007 by G Quote ********************************************************************* to name the things if I see them, that's what I call integrity.. ********************************************************************* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former_rotorhead Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I know you said it sounded electrical, but could it be as simple as the air intake? My belief is start simple and work towards the complicated. Sorry if I'm under thinking things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandstrs Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 I would take it to a local dealer, if you have one, and get it checked out. Might as well get the "right" answer for a price than fiddling and ending up with more price... I think it is difficult for anyone to really know what you are describing unless they physically inspect the car and hear the sound "live". Speculation is a potentially expensive practice. When you do figure out what it is, please let us know. Best, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingoking Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 I have owned 4cyl Esprits before but never encountered a whine that I hear from the passenger Quote Join Lotus Enthusiasts Group Scotland here! and on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneB Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 (edited) I've always suspected the alternator, yet it's charging just fine and everything works. Definately could be a bad alternator bearing, serpantine belt tensioner bearing or the power stearing pump is just low on fluid. The alternators run very hot when the cars are just boost started and run to charge a dead battery (after they have sat a while on dealers lots), frying the grease in the alternator bearings (and cooking the electronics also). Edited November 7, 2007 by WayneB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.