Morning Start Up Engine Noise - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

petervankleeck · 01-13-2025

I'm used to the usual sounds when the engine starts before the oil circulates but what I am familiar with now includes something like a high pitched screech. It's only for a moment and only after sitting overnight. Once the engine has run it doesn't happen again. It's only in the morning after sitting overnight.

It runs great. About 70,000 on the engine. No problems otherwise. I'm not saying this is a problem, I just don't like the noise it's making.

Thanks!
Happy New Year!

secondchance · 01-13-2025

Might be the accessory belt slipping.

petervankleeck · 01-13-2025

Thanks. I'll check it. Not related but I'm replacing the coil packs and plugs. It will be a good time to take a thorough look. Thanks again. l always appreciate the help on the Registry.

Rick Gibbons · 01-14-2025

Mine makes a similar sound when it's cold, under 30 degrees F and the first start up. I've noticed that it stops if I put it in neutral and release the clutch so I'm pretty sure my noise is clutch related.

petervankleeck · 01-14-2025

Thanks for the note Rick. I'm pretty sure the sound is coming from the front of the engine. Thanks again

Rick Gibbons · 01-14-2025

I hope you can find the noise and let us all know how you solved the issue. My 91 is just under 15k miles, but it sat in a warehouse for so long with minimal miles that when I bought it from the original owner's family, I've had to fix a multitude of little electrical things (back up lights, horn....). I also replaced the belt and changes all the fluids but there's always something else to do. I found a guy who used to work for a race team who had 2 ZR-1s back in the day, one that is white like mine. He says he's happy to work on it for me, so I'm pretty lucky to have found him.

ZBrink · 01-17-2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by petervankleeck

Thanks. I'll check it. Not related but I'm replacing the coil packs and plugs. It will be a good time to take a thorough look. Thanks again. l always appreciate the help on the Registry.

Do you live in Manassas? Quite a few of us are close by and could check it out with you.

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 01-17-2025

I know that noise.............

My car one cold day began doing the same thing when first started.

At first it sounded like pilot bearing ( ask me how I knew ) but it occurred very differently from that wonderful experience.

Thought it was the tensioner, but because of the cold I had not selected the AC in awhile. Put it back on AC and after a few more starts..... problem gone.
Has not returned in almost 10 years. So I always leave the AC on.

Why did I say that (10 year thing )out loud!

At any rate, that is what happened to me.

Hope it might help you!

Marty

01-13-2025	#1
petervankleeck Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 28	Morning Start Up Engine Noise I'm used to the usual sounds when the engine starts before the oil circulates but what I am familiar with now includes something like a high pitched screech. It's only for a moment and only after sitting overnight. Once the engine has run it doesn't happen again. It's only in the morning after sitting overnight. It runs great. About 70,000 on the engine. No problems otherwise. I'm not saying this is a problem, I just don't like the noise it's making. Thanks! Happy New Year!

01-13-2025	#2
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise Might be the accessory belt slipping.

01-13-2025	#3
petervankleeck Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 28	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise Thanks. I'll check it. Not related but I'm replacing the coil packs and plugs. It will be a good time to take a thorough look. Thanks again. l always appreciate the help on the Registry. Last edited by petervankleeck; 01-13-2025 at 05:09 PM.

01-14-2025	#4
Rick Gibbons Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: North Carolina Posts: 12	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise Mine makes a similar sound when it's cold, under 30 degrees F and the first start up. I've noticed that it stops if I put it in neutral and release the clutch so I'm pretty sure my noise is clutch related.

01-14-2025	#5
petervankleeck Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 28	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise Thanks for the note Rick. I'm pretty sure the sound is coming from the front of the engine. Thanks again

01-14-2025	#6
Rick Gibbons Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: North Carolina Posts: 12	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise I hope you can find the noise and let us all know how you solved the issue. My 91 is just under 15k miles, but it sat in a warehouse for so long with minimal miles that when I bought it from the original owner's family, I've had to fix a multitude of little electrical things (back up lights, horn....). I also replaced the belt and changes all the fluids but there's always something else to do. I found a guy who used to work for a race team who had 2 ZR-1s back in the day, one that is white like mine. He says he's happy to work on it for me, so I'm pretty lucky to have found him.

01-17-2025	#8
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, NJ Posts: 2,630	Re: Morning Start Up Engine Noise I know that noise............. My car one cold day began doing the same thing when first started. At first it sounded like pilot bearing ( ask me how I knew ) but it occurred very differently from that wonderful experience. Thought it was the tensioner, but because of the cold I had not selected the AC in awhile. Put it back on AC and after a few more starts..... problem gone. Has not returned in almost 10 years. So I always leave the AC on. Why did I say that (10 year thing )out loud! At any rate, that is what happened to me. Hope it might help you! Marty