When it's cold or the car sits for over 8 hours I tend to hear a really low pitch chirp coming from the engine compartment right after startup. It only lasts about 1/2 second and seems to correspond with the oil pressure jumping from 0 to 3 bar. Any ideas on what this could be? Thanks in advance.

Lube
81 300SD

loose timming chain. get it checked ASAP

I had my chain replaced since it was due anyways. I was hoping that the noise was related to the chain and it would go away after the chain was replaced, it didn't. If anything the noise is more prevelant. Except now I sometimes hear it also when the engine is hot, and sometimes when it's cold I won't hear a thing. I'm wondering if this is a signal of impending vacuum or oil pump doom. Has anyone with a 3 litre turbo diesel ever experianced such a noise. It's not a rattle, but a loud shriek that corresponds to oil pressure rising.

Thanks in advance.

Could this be a loose belt screeching at you.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

I agree with Jeff. My SD had a shrieky squeal (constant though); tightening the belts made it go away. Do you notice it after driving the car in rain, then restarting the engine?

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 170K mi