This just started at the on set of the freezing cold temps.

Its a whirring sound that raises and lowers pitch with the rpms but is only noticable from 10k-20k. It seems to be coming from the timing belt area.

I noticed it first when slowing down to make a turn before downshifting into third gear.
The noise occurs when rpms drop and when they go back up.

If this description doesn't help, I'll try to get a sound clip.

I believe the water pump was already replaced about 20k ago. TB not done yet.

 

Does the sound go away after the car warms up? Lots of times the bearings on the accessory drives will whine when they are cold. My last car did this and it was the power steering pump. I never replaced it and it never broke (it had plenty of power steering fluid). Does the sound change if you turn your steering wheel? If so power steering pump. If not could be alternator or A/C compressor or one of the idler/tensioner pulleys (but less likely).

 

IT seems to get louder when turning steering wheel and I noticed it when returning home so it was well warmed up.
Might be power steering pump.

 

Idecided today to check the power steering fluid for kicks and giggles.

It was right at low marker with engine cold andbelowMINafter I warmed it up some.

So now I wonder if any damage was done. I haven't drivin it much lately and hardly at all since I first heard this sound.

Any damage likely from minimal driving after I ran it with a whine with the pump low on fluid?

I really am skeptical of these maintenance schedule intervals. I had it in for a 50,000 mile check this summer and just now noticed that checking the steering fluid is only done at 40k & 60k. Just seems to be too much time to go by for important things like this.

 

Anybody know if power steering fluid Volkswagen G 004 is equivalent to Audi G 002 listed in service manual?

 

You can pick some up through ECS.
Claims to be OEM fluid, but to be safe you may want to flush it and refill.

 

thanks,
Well I went with some G 004 at the local VW place. The bottle has Audi on it. I can't imagine it not working. Its the same base.

Imight call dealership to ask if they know of a strict difference between G 002 and G 004. I read someone on here said 004 is the newer.