Hi all,

My 92 coupe with v12 is "whining" when cold. Starts fine, idles fine, just has a high pitched whine when cold. As it revs up it seems to go away and as it warms up it also disappears. It is not sounding like a loose belt squealing but more of a moaning wine maybe part of the vacuum system.

Any ideas where to begin?

 

I use a length of hose to find the source of noises - one end to the ear, the other to probe the engine bay, like a stethoscope. Might be a way to narrow down the source.

 

It is an acknowledged feature of the V12 oil pump that it can whine or often moan with cold oil. I doubt this is anything other than a cold-fluid generated noise.

 

+1 with Greg

oil pump/pressurizing oil galleries

IME some V12’s do it, some don’t, I wouldn’t worry

 

That's helpful, Greg, as even after replacing the harmonic damper, mine tends to do that as well, especially in winter. I thought it was belts or the air pump. It goes away after a few minutes, but can be embarrassing (mind you, I recall the "real" Lady Mary whining a lot...).