Strange whirring noise

[Dylan]

As i start my car today, to come home from work, i notice a strange whirring noise coming from the front end.

seems to be worse when turning, that's interesting...

on the drive home, i pop it in neutral at a light, rev the engine a little, and it's still there, which means (to me) that it's engine and not diff or steering or brakes.

get home, pop the hood (and notice my hood lifter is toast, having dripped its oil all over the front corner of my engine bay), get the woman to rev it up a bit while i use my bravestar-like hearing skills to try and pick out where it's coming from.

to me, sounds like it's coming from the middle of the bay, between the drivers side and the engine.

the only thing i can compare it to is the sound that's made when when you take a blade of grass between your thumbs and blow - of course, volume and pitch go up when you up the revs.

i'm hoping to take it in later in the week, but i'm wonding if the AZ Lords of the Rings can toss some suggestions as to what it is.

TIA

[Frey7190]

Go to your car and crank it on, then walk to the rear right wheel and listen for the noise... It could be your Filter or Fuel pump... and in the case its your filter, I have made a nifty DIY for it!

[dirtybrd]

Don't drive it anymore, it could be a water pump or timing belt idler going out. If either fails your motor is toast, at least $1000 worth.

[Dylan]

fuel pump even if the sound comes from the engine bay? i'm thinking that may be it, because when i get in the car when its cold and half-turn the key (which starts the fuel pump), i hear a not-normal sound.

dirty, you've got me worried now! timing belt service/change was done about 30k ago, would that rule it out?

thanks for your thoughts, folks.

[dirtybrd]

Never, new parts fail. Not trying to scare, just help.

[Dylan]

Never, new parts fail. Not trying to scare, just help.

i hear ya....

i'm still thinking it's the fuel pump though, because of the weird noise at startup.

[dirtybrd]

You won't hear the fuel pump over the motor if you're standing in frt. with the hood up and it's running.

[Frey7190]

It doesnt sound like this does it... Cuz if it does, I cant help you... mines made this noise since like the day I bought it... still dont know what the frick it is

[Dylan]

no, that sounds like an exhaust leak somewhere...

i figured out what it sounds like - kinda like a manual car running in reverse, except i'm in drive and it's auto.

[Dylan]

k, i don't think it's the fuel pump because the sound gets louder when turning.

so:

1 - sounds like a manual car in reverse gear, but is automatic
2 - happens in neutral
3 - gets louder when wheel is turned or engine rev'd
4 - sounds like it's coming from the engine bay (no sound from the back when in the car and it's idling)

any thoughts?

[A4 Moda]

Power Steering... Check your fluid reservoir

[Dylan]

Power Steering... Check your fluid reservoir

i'll check and post results, thanks.

[Dylan]

Power Steering... Check your fluid reservoir

that did the trick - the simplest solutions are usually the best!

thanks muchly!