Are you sure it is not a belt?  The alternator really loads up after a cold
start.

Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 03/06/2002 09:37:01 AM

Please respond to Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>

Sent by:    Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>

To:    vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject:    very loud Screeching noise on very cold days - turns heads

Hi Volks:

Can you please help me with this?  - opiniions gladly accepted

A get an incredibly loud "screeching sound" coming from my general engine
area at certain rpms when the engine is cold. (it's been -30 here).

Normally, it goes away after a while, but when I come to a traffic light,
it
re-occurs as the car approaches a stop. It usually reappears when I start
driving away again, then dimminishes as I pick up speed and rpms.

If I let the car warm up 10 min before driving - it is minimalized, but it
still makes the sound when initially started, and the frequency and
intensity of the sound increase as I give it throttle after it is initially
started.

1.    I am not using one of the good Mahl oil filters with valves - could
it
be the main bearings are starved of lubrication at start?

2.    Could it be my water pump being worn out?

3.    Could it be a symptom of my main bearings being bad/worn out?

4.    Could it be an incorrect setting in the crank's end-play? (I got an
engine transplant this past fall)

4.    Could it be my automatic transmission - possibly the torque
converter?

Thanks for any and all help you volks can provide.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy (I am Vanagon, hear me howl)