Cold winter temperatures and the SHO don't mix

[Vindicator]

Hey guys,

It's been pretty cold the past couple days in Toronto. Last night on the way home it was -8F (-23c) which is just way too cold for me.... and apparently the SHO.

Anyway, when I went to start the SHO it made a horrible squeeling noise, almost like a groin. This lasted until the engine was warm and then it completely went away.

I was a little worried for a bit because it was coming from the engine bay but the sound got worse when I turned the wheel. I popped the hood and it sounded like it was coming from the cam cover area on the left hand side where the sprockets are. (It's welded) I don't think it's the cams though because the sound goes away when warm. Is the power steering pump around the left side of the cams?

Also, what would be the affect of extreme cold temps and the cam welds. Is it possible that they could crack while cold?

Has anybody else had the same problems with extreme cold temps and the SHO?

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Well, right now it's -25 F here. Pretty darn cold.

The squealing was probably your belts. I don't know anything about the cam welds... shrug

 

[stephen newberg]

I agree it is most likely the serpentine belt. When was yours last replaced? I put a new one in every 50,000 KM (about 30,000 miles) and had zero sound when starting up yesterady in -28C after not having started the car at all for a couple of days in similar temps.

pax, smn

 

[Ian Macoomb]

Probably just the belt. Not much to worry about. At least it started. Mine had problems the other week. It only gets driven during the weekend so it had been a week and it was cold. The battery was week and I think it flooded itself. Charged up the battery and it started no problems a few hours later. Same thing happened to my roomates '00 Civic yesterday and my '91 Geo Metro didn't almost didn't start this morning.

 

[Mr. SHO]

Being the opportunist that I am...

What's the best belt out there? Gatorback? Anyone have the p/n? (A/Z shows p/n 4060895 for the Gatorback, but I'd sooner roll dice than trust AutoZone's parts catalog. headbang )

 

[pbshow]

Yaeh, I had the same problem only yesterday. I went out to start the SHO in 82 degree weather, only it was me that was squeeling with joy that I live in So Cal! rofl Sorry guys, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity!

Stay warm!

Paul
1998 Ebony - welded thumb

 

[SHO M0nk3y]

Yah, last winter here in Edmonton we had a cold snap come through and my bro had the SHO out late one night and he said it started ruff and the trans was very stiff. I took a look at it the following morning to find it out side not in its nice warm house, be cause my sister was parked in front of the door so he could not put it in the garage. Also it was not plugged in. Anyways it took me at least 10 minutes to start it without a boost. Man I have never heard it make those noises before. Oh yah it had got down to about -35C which I'm guessing is pretty close to -30F.

 

[venom]

Mr. SHO:
Being the opportunist that I am...

What's the best belt out there? Gatorback? Anyone have the p/n? (A/Z shows p/n 4060895 for the Gatorback, but I'd sooner roll dice than trust AutoZone's parts catalog. headbang )

That P/N is correct for the gatorback.. I trusted A/Z's catalog for the wife's 99 and it fit just fine.

 

[ES96SHO]

>Anyway, when I went to start the SHO it made a horrible squeeling noise, almost like a groin. >

My groin doesn't make any noise.... wink

By the way, it's likely your power steering pump. Mine whines when it is below 30 or 40 degrees until the car warms up. You should try a flush and add some Lucas Power Steering conditioner. The flush is a good idea regardless of whether that's your problem since the ZF pump is expensive to replace.

 

[Tacmedic]

pbshow:
Yaeh, I had the same problem only yesterday. I went out to start the SHO in 82 degree weather, only it was me that was squeeling with joy that I live in So Cal! rofl Sorry guys, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity!

Stay warm!

Paul
1998 Ebony - welded thumb

Man, when the weather is like that I park the SHO and get on the bike. I'll run my ZRX1200 against any SHO for titles. Any takers?

<small>[ January 21, 2004, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Tacmedic ]</small>

 

[4_sho]

tonight leaving my work parking lot my baby was so cold my turn signals wouldnt work , ohh and i owned a cop tonihgt!!! yay me!

 

[s9h9o]

ya mean the blinker fluid froze? eek!

 

[SHOclub1]

Not sure about the Lucas power steering conditioner, but one thing that would help is synthetic ATV in the system. if you can't flush and fill, then use a turkey baster or something to empty as much of the PS filler as possible, and fill with a good ATF. I use Amsoil, but most any good brand ATF will work.

If you don't have a 0-30 synthetic oil in for this weather, then please try it ASAP. When we hit temps like that in northern Illinois (It happens!) my 0-30 Amsoil let the car start like it was summer, and the oil pressure came up immediately. You can run this oil year round.