2017 Subaru STI whining noise in engine bay
2017 Subaru WRX STI It originally started when I went to put cold step spark plugs in I found a small amount of oil on the boots of the spark plugs to cylinder 1 and cylinder 3 After talking to a Subaru dealer and their technicians they said it was most likely from a leaky valve cover gasket. I change this gasket with silicone based sealant and later learned that I didn't need sealant. I was afraid the sealant would get into the valves so I took the gasket off cleaned it and the valve cover and put the gasket and cover back on. I also cleaned my SF Cobb air intake filter with K&N red oil later realizing i put a little too much on the first time and mistakenly sprayed the inside of the filter. I started the car and it threw p0102 and p0113 codes it also made a medium to loud volume, high pitched, whining noise in the front of the engine bay seemingly by the alternator and pulleys I took the air intake off, dried it, and put it back on and checked the MAF sensor, and started the car. The codes were gone but the whining was still there. I've been in a time crunch working 7 days a week and have a turbo and Inlet install coming up in two days so I wanted to get as much ready as possible including an IAG air oil separator. After a delightful 15 hours I was able to get the iag installed and noted that the intercooler hose under the intercooler was somewhat pinched being squeezed in with the air oil separator tubing. I attempted to start the car but it barely turned over then died. The dash lights flickered and then the battery went completely dead. I hooked it up to a 0 to 40 amp CAT charger, charged the battery, and checked the alternator. The cat charger indicated that the alternator voltage was incorrect After charging, the car started fine but the whining was still there and continued with the AC on. I also noticed that when I revved the engine the RPMs dipped very low on the down turn of the revs to the point where it seemed like the car was about to stall. The higher the rev, the lower the RPMs would subsequently dip. After idling for a few minutes the whining went away. I changed the oil and drove it to work and on the way it started whining again. I turn the steering wheel and the whining seem to increase in pitch but when I had the car in neutral, and was rolling, it did not whine at all when I turned the steering wheel. The car also seemed to drive fine as far as RPM range. Im currently running the Cobb turboback exhaust/downpipe, SF intake, Cobb fuel rails and lines, 1050x injectors, AEM drop in fuel pump, IAG aos, and AEM wideband sensor (had a lot of trouble with the wiring initially as it was hooked up incorrectly for 20+ miles of driving). I will soon have the Cobb 20g turbo and inlet installed. Mike at Innovative has been providing E tuning.
