I just went back down to start it up again and try and determine where the sound is coming from. It's definitely coming from the left side of the engine (though when I check again, the sound may be coming from further back than the green circle):

Any ideas?

edit: here's a video I took as well. You can ever-so-slightly hear it beneath the mechanical noise of the engine:

View My Video

 

Power steering pump?

 

Your video sounds like a vacuum cleaner is running

You say the noise goes away when you rev it past 2,000 rpm or do you think it changes pitch to the point where you can't hear it anymore, or put another way, does the noise change pitch when you rev the engine in neutral from idle to 2,000?

 

Yeah - the video doesn't accurately display the sound. I initially thought it went away around 2000rpm but I think that may just be the engine drowning out the sound.

Pretty sure it's the power steering pump, but I'm not anything close to resembling a mechanic.

Can anyone tell me where the power steering fluid reservoir is located?

 

In your picture, that thing with the half a yellow cap in the lower right

My first guess is the alternator. Have the belt tension checked. If you think its the p/s, try turning the wheel. If you are very low on fluid the power steering pump would make a very noticeable sound if you turn the wheel-- esp while the car is stationary or at low speed.

 

Annddddd the noise is gone. I'd still like to know what it was. HMPHHH

 

Is it a whining or hissing type noise - like from the PCV valce area

 

It sounds like a supercharger whine, and I think it disappears at around 1,800-2,000rpms. And yes, the noise is back lol.

 

Laying odds on the alternator.

 

I'm calling the Water pump pulley or belt...seen this several times now...once on my RRS and a couple other times on other friends.

 

did you sort the problem out ? what was the problem mate

 

I would like to know also as mine has always done this. Nothing seems to be wrong and it's def not the PS pump. It's a whining that is most pronounced from 1k-2k rpm. Thanks!

 

Armogida, I think yours is supercharger: their whine is like that.

I'm betting his might be fuel injectors.

 

I have a supercharger too the noise wasn't there b4

 

Any signs of animal hair? Cats like to curl up under a warm engine.

 

I'm thinking it's a possible bearing

 

My 09 SC has a loud whine like that on cold start up until the idle settles down, and it seems to come from the same place circled in the photo. I assume that it is the SC when cold. After the initial start for the day there is no whine.

 

IHOPE has an HSE, no S/C: turn off the A/C, ECON off - yellow light on (noise is probably gone); turn A/C back on (light is out on ECON), raise temp above ambient, if noise is now gone, it is the compressor idling (common with these A/C systems; have seen (heard) it in every jag or LR I have owned - six now).

if you have an S/C unit, you should hear the supercharger at low RPM (if not check the batteries in you hearing aid).

Tried it out tonight: can hear both at low RPM (~1000 or so); each distinctively different freq.

A mech's stethoscope is very useful for hunting reciprocating noise. $8 US.

 

It certainly could be the SC. This is my first Rover so I don't have any experience with the intrinsic harmony of these engines but I'm learning. Thanks for the input!

 

I had this happen on my E500. Started the car and as it was warming up heard the cat going crazy under the hood. Popped the bonnet and with a flash light finally located the sucker curled up by some heat shielding. Not sure how but the cat was unscathed!!

FYI this is in reference to Gooseys cat post above. Not sure why the quote didn't take.

 

Funny, our cat came flying out from under the car the other day when I started it up...which I guess prompted me to throw that out there

 

Had that happen in Hi many winters ago: temp dropped to 65 (normally 80) and the neighbor's Kitty decided the water pump housing would keep him warm: needed a new fan belt, a shoe box, and shovel . . . . nary a dry eye on the street (he kept the rats down!). Landys looked (and drove) like farm trucks, then . . .