S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

Slight whistling sound under light acceleration

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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 11:33 PM
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Default Slight whistling sound under light acceleration

Hi all,

I recently made a topic about the slight whispering sound sometimes under the car when gently accelerating (but I can't find it anymore ). When you accelerate a bit more it's gone, when taking back a little gas but still accelerating it's there again! You can almost play with it.

Now I read a lot about these 'problems' by using the search button and I found out that quite some S2000'ers from the early years had it too according to what I can read because I do not know if it is exactly the same problem, but it sounds like it when reading the topics.

Yesterday I went to a dealer to check out the exhaust system and the diff fluid... Dealer took it for a drive and we had the same sound again. He was very sure it was nothing mechanical since there was no whine and the sound was not going up with the speed. He is very sure it is intake noice and coming from the engine and was saying some Civic's have the same 'problem'.

When asking why this sound only started about a month ago (the car is 1,5 years young) and went from almost not hearable to a little more noticeable he said I probably did not hear it before but maybe has always been there. I am very sure it was never there before and the diff fluid was at the right level, nothing strange to see from the exhaust.

Is there a way to be sure it is intake noice? I have the little 'pfwrie' sound when very slightly accelerating and between 2500 and 3500 somewhere. It seems it's there at one rpm point and only for a second until the rpm's go up by a few. But not always!? Can I check with the airbox removed? Will that make the sound more pronounced if at all coming from the intake? And should we hear it when revving the engine from under the hood with the throttle cable?

Thx for any advise
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Old Aug 17, 2006 | 11:56 PM
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Lionheart Posted on Aug 18 2006, 09:33 AM
And should we hear it when revving the engine from under the hood with the throttle cable?
I would think so, yes.
(maybe only under load, then you wouldn't hear it)

Are you sure the airbox lid is on air-tight?
On every corner?

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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:04 AM
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Yes, airbox lid is air-tight on every corner!

First thought also was... Should it be reproducable with the throttle cable or will it only sound under load when it is an intake sound problem.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:11 AM
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If you remove the airbox you should hear the sound amplified greatly. A cold air intake will also have the same increased effect.

This really just sounds like the classic intake whistle that is characteristic of most S2Ks and some other Hondas. Why it's only showing up now, I couldn't say. When you think about the volume of air flowing into the throttlebody, all it would take is a very tiny change in shape (ie. caused by wear to the butterfly, etc.) to disrupt the flow slightly and create a whistle.

Those are my thoughts, dunno if they help.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 08:40 AM
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I'd agree with the intake assessment. My S does it too.

My theory is that at a certain RPM range, the flow of the intake air is sufficiently fast and laminar, resulting in a slight whistle as it transitions to turbulent flow.

How would you test it? Maybe restrict the air flow (wrap your filter in a paper towel) and see if the whistle doesn't occur during a different RPM range Let us know how your experimenting goes!

Bottom line....don't worry about it
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 12:28 PM
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OK, but why did the car not make this noise the first 1,5 years!? Because some components are used by now? I already got a new air filter some time ago, but even then there was no noise.

I will try it in the weekend by using the throttle cable in the engine bay and by driving the car without airbox lid and I will post my results! Thanks for the input
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 04:46 PM
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I have an 01 with 55k miles on it, I have the same thing and it didn't start until 50k. I haven't really thought anything of it.
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Old Aug 18, 2006 | 06:34 PM
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My 00 exact same problem, high pitched noise with light accel around 3k to 3.3k then it goes away. I had it fixed once and the tech said it was some rubber piece at or near the throttle body that needed to be cleaned. I have no idea if this makes sense, anyway.. This worked for a while then it came back. Mine also started around 50k I now have 80k.
keep me posted
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Old Aug 19, 2006 | 05:50 AM
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is this the whistling noise everyone has already talked to death? thought it was normal air intake function?
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Old Aug 19, 2006 | 08:51 AM
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Mine whistles the Dutch Anthem between 4425 - 7250 rpm.
It does!
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