Why the strange squeeling noise and sluggish performance?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Asheville, NC
Strange squeeling noise and sluggish performance?
I just had the plugs replaced, atf treatment and fuel filter replaced. When accelerating moderately everythings fine, but, when accelerating hard I get a squeeling noise coming from the driver's side of the engine. Also, on the highway, with revs above 2000 it seems sluggish if I ask it to accelerate a bit more. Would it be normal for it to be a bit sluggish after an atf treatment until I go through one tank of gas? And what should I be looking at as the possible source of the squeeling noise? Its an automatic 94 touring if that makes a difference. Engine is original with 63K miles and everything on it is stock I know it will need to be rebuilt in the next year but I'm trying to buy it a little time until I can save up the cash. Next on my list of mods is a downpipe which I'm guessing will help take some stress off of the engine. I welcome comments from those with a lot of experience with the 3rd gen FD as I am learning as I go. Thanks in advance. Oh, I forgot to add that the idle was adjusted as well. It was idling low, shaking some when stopped, and occasionally would stall out when in reverse, but only when in reverse.
I just had the plugs replaced, atf treatment and fuel filter replaced. When accelerating moderately everythings fine, but, when accelerating hard I get a squeeling noise coming from the driver's side of the engine. Also, on the highway, with revs above 2000 it seems sluggish if I ask it to accelerate a bit more. Would it be normal for it to be a bit sluggish after an atf treatment until I go through one tank of gas? And what should I be looking at as the possible source of the squeeling noise? Its an automatic 94 touring if that makes a difference. Engine is original with 63K miles and everything on it is stock I know it will need to be rebuilt in the next year but I'm trying to buy it a little time until I can save up the cash. Next on my list of mods is a downpipe which I'm guessing will help take some stress off of the engine. I welcome comments from those with a lot of experience with the 3rd gen FD as I am learning as I go. Thanks in advance. Oh, I forgot to add that the idle was adjusted as well. It was idling low, shaking some when stopped, and occasionally would stall out when in reverse, but only when in reverse.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,067
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From: Home of the Rolex 24
Check for cracks or splits in all of your air routing areas. Intake to turbos, turbos to intercooler and intercooler to elbow and upper intake. In your case its probably in the area of the intercooler to the upperintake if you are hearing it from the driver's side. Plastic air hoses are prone to cracking and splitting due to heat. Hope it is that simple. This will slightly hinder performance and usually is only heard when accelerating....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Asheville, NC
I had my mechanic do the service so I don't know
I'll take a look myself but my mechanic did the atf treatment so I don't know. I'm pretty sure he checked the fluid levels but I'll check that myself too. If he didn't I'll be finding another mechanic. I'd like to be able to do some service myself but I am a complete newbie to the fd. Can anyone suggest a good book on how to service the 3rd gen fd?
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Well i just found this thread again..I kinda of figured out what my sounds like it. It sounds like a fan hittin something but i know its not that. More like a clickin sounds then a squealin sound and hesitation around 5k and just lost of power when that sound happens. I can't really figure it out because it only happens when i drive and well im not crazy to run without a hood and have a friend sit up in the sunroof and try to diagnosis (J/k) but i seriously am baffled as to what this sound is someone help. Its also from the driver's side
Originally posted by Runnin Away
Well i just found this thread again..I kinda of figured out what my sounds like it. It sounds like a fan hittin something but i know its not that. More like a clickin sounds then a squealin sound and hesitation around 5k and just lost of power when that sound happens. I can't really figure it out because it only happens when i drive and well im not crazy to run without a hood and have a friend sit up in the sunroof and try to diagnosis (J/k) but i seriously am baffled as to what this sound is someone help. Its also from the driver's side
Well i just found this thread again..I kinda of figured out what my sounds like it. It sounds like a fan hittin something but i know its not that. More like a clickin sounds then a squealin sound and hesitation around 5k and just lost of power when that sound happens. I can't really figure it out because it only happens when i drive and well im not crazy to run without a hood and have a friend sit up in the sunroof and try to diagnosis (J/k) but i seriously am baffled as to what this sound is someone help. Its also from the driver's side
5K RPM is indicative of your secondary turbo. You have alot of air flow at that point. IN my case as I said earlier it was the coupler to the Y PIPE or crossover pipe (that thing under the strut brace). around 5000 RPM it squeeled like a pig, lol. its easy to test. Go to your car and pull up on that pipe, if it moves up and down thats your problem.
If not buy yourself a new set of turbos for 3500 and go home happy.


