thanks for the confirmation blackmercedes. I usually let the whine go away before motoring off from a cold start - figured it can't hurt to let the engine warm up

and what do you know on my way home today i started hearing a slight rattling from my gear shifter when accelerating and now have more play in the shifter then before, sounds a lot like the shifter bushings are going...ole the joys of a 100K mi car!!!

i'll have them replace the bushing soon (shouldn't be $$$ right?) and then check out the flex disc/spark plug wires/hoses per all of your recommendations.

Thanks so much for the inputs - i recently stumbled onto this forum and love all the knowledge i am learning!