whining with cold start up

[greenbaax]

i have a 97 passat vr6...in the morning when i start up i get a loud whining for a second after initial start up..any ideas what is goin on?

[Glennka]

I have a 95 Passat. I have a whining too. It is the timing chain. I have 110k. The dealer said it will only get worse. The transmission needs to be removed to change the timing chain and related!

Dealer told me they all eventually make noise and not to even bother doing anything about it. It will eventually sound like a bad powersteering pump or a bad alternator bearing.

[greenbaax]

its weird..it only happens for half a second..but it sounds like the starter stays engaged? is this the same sound you are experiencing?

[Glennka]

I had a problem with the starter staying engaged for a second or two after start. Solution is to remove and disassemble starter and clean and lube it. other option is to just replace.

[bobafind]

In case anyone sees this I had a similar problem from what I think was a VERY low coolant level. The pump must have been making the noise at startup. It's more of a short "Whuuu!" sound. When I filled up with coolant, the sound doesn't come back.