So I just picked up the Evo IX this past Friday. I'm brand new to the platform and doing lots of research to learn. I have a weird whine that I thought was power steering at first so I checked the fluid but it's fine. Then I looked up about the transfer case death whine because the car has this whine constantly and it gets louder and higher pitched with acceleration. However since it's in neutral and not driving, I read that this probably isn't the case. So I'm asking if anyone has any idea what it could be?

 

I heard it during your first Vid but didnt want to say anything as listening to digital audio sometimes does not play true to form. For sure there is a whine but not sure where it could be coming from.

Wonder what the history is behind this Evo. (i.e. mileage, modifications, etc). I had requested you pop the hood for us so we can see the engine bay but maybe you didnt see the request? Looking at the engine bay sometimes give clues to mods if they were done properly.

Your Evo should be gone through completely. Engine oil / Trans oil / Diff oil & all should be sent to the Lab for analysis

That whine could be the clutch throw-out bearing for example or even somewhere on the external engine (i.e. timing belt tensioner or some other pully?)

 

I missed the request. Those are some good suggestions. I'll be replacing all the fluids this week and I'll look into those other items. As for the history, there's not much I know about it since I wasn't able to talk directly with previous owner. It has 94k miles and here's the mods from a text forwarded to me from the previous owner.

 

That whine may not be a major issue but for sure the Evo has had some work done to it. Built 2.2 loaded in & then removed & a noted stock motor re-installed.

Hey, all in all, a super win & nothing that cant be fixed for sure. Let us know what next steps you are doing & post up what is found

 

This is definitely not the transfer case death whine. A lot of evo 9s have that noise when they start up cold, but not that loud. Does it get more quiet as the car warms up? It comes from the Mivec cam gear area and is considered a belt noise, but it's usually a lot quieter than that. I used to think that it was Mivec causing it or the alternator. Anyway there was a revised Cylinder block bracket that helped to subdue this noise some time back. I wonder if the seller had replaced it.

Here is a severe example of what you have:
Here is the cylinder block bracket thread: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-video-42.html

and another: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-1091a133.html

I think it could also be a pulley in the timing belt region. Best of luck!

 

This is super helpful! Thank you! It definitely sounds very similar and increases in pitch and sound as I'm driving. It does seem to quiet more as it warms up but only at idle. Once I'm driving the noise is pretty loud and constant. I'll look into these fixes. Thanks again

 

My evo made almost the same noise. It ended up being the idler pulley from the serpentine area. I used a stethoscope to narrow it down, thought it was the power steering initially. Video of the sound mine made.

 

I'd pop off the timing cover and make sure its not your timing belt dragging on something. If the timing belt is too tight it'll whine a bit too, don't think it'd be that loud though.

 

pour some water on the serpentine belt

 

So I replaced the power steering pump and it still whines. I believe it's the idler pulley so I'm going to replace that next along with a new belt

 

Thats good news! You are becoming one w/this new machine

 

Replace it with OEM. I put a gates idler pulley and it went bad <15k miles.

 

that's very helpful, thank you! I was just looking at the Gates one

 

Look up timing belt wine. The belt can rub on crank sensor wheel. This started on mine when I changed timing belt. Not a tightening issue, motor mount plate on the passenger side was machined slightly wrong. There was a recall on this. Start the car cold with serpentine belt off. If the sound is still there you can eliminate all accessories. Don't run the car for more than a few minutes since water pump is belt driven. Mine doesn't do this on warm days but below 70 F does it on start up. Doesn't shorten belt life, I noticed a wear bevel on my old timing belt.

Mitsuatb

 

Update: it was the idler pulley. Changed it out and no more whine! Thanks everyone