Intake "psst" noise cause and poor cold engine startup?

Tiny
CODY MASE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
When engine is idling there will be these random and short "psst" noises and the cars idle will change for a second in response. It will sound similar to an air hose for airing up tires being used and disconnected real fast. All vacuum hoses are replaced, wiggled them and it does not make a difference. Sounds like it is coming from under the intake. Removed and inspected for cracks but problem persists. Started having serious problems cranking from a cold startup as well.
Sunday, April 16th, 2017 AT 2:16 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Just a dumb possibility

Is your A/C on or heat with a defrost mode on (which also turns on the compressor)?

Turn it off for a test.

Maybe the racket you are hearing is the A/C compressor clutch engaging and disengaging, it makes a similar noise, and is random, up under the hood it is sometimes hard to determine the origin of a noise.

This sure would ease you mind if I am correct!

Return with good news!

The Medic
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Sunday, April 16th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Lots of engine noise on this one.

Different vehicle too.

In the video below, you can see the A/C clutch engage on a running engine. (If this were longer, you would get to see it disengage too) If it were a bit quieter, it would make the/ or a similar sound like you described.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp8pXmlFq_w

The Medic

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Sunday, April 16th, 2017 AT 8:23 PM

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