Whistling noise when engine cold

[tschmidt]

We have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and was just wondering if anybody else has a whistling noise when starting up? We are in Wisconsin and its damn cold. It only does it when its cold out. Once the engine warms up it goes away. But my wife is freaking out about it. I am thinking it might be something with the air intake but not sure.

[RIP]

Well you should have had an answer by now. As it's cranking or when it starts? Maybe a a power steering pump momentarily starved for fluid? A worn slipping serpentine belt?

[tschmidt]

When it first starts up. As it warms up and sits it goes away. When I drive off and the engine still a bit cold the noise is gone at idle but hear it as i step on the gas. I am guessing it is a vacuum leak somewhere. Once its driven about a mile its gone.

[venturenot]

Yes, I have the same problem with my 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. It only happens when the temps get into the 20's or lower. The whistling noise is very loud and disturbing and only lasts about 30 seconds. I have researched this on the internet and it is seems that it is a fairly common problem with the pentastar engine. I am in a fairly mild climate so I haven't had much of a chance to see where the noise is coming from. To me it sounds like the throttle body, but many people say the power steering. Other owners have tried to replace the power steering pump to resolve the problem, but it doesn't work the noise is still there. I wonder about the fluids. You are suppose to check fluids with an ambient temp of around 70 deg. When I check the power steering fluid with an ambient of 70 the reservoir is full. When I check the level when very cold the fluid really drops. I wonder if in cold temps it take a few seconds for the fluids to thin out and circulate properly. Anyway if you find the answer to this problem please post...Thanks