Our RL is whistling

nscrbug · 10-14-2007, 08:55 AM

I'll be dropping off our RL at my dealer on Monday. It has developed a high-pitched whistling sound. Brought it over to the dealer yesterday and a tech looked it over quickly and concluded it was the Thermal Expansion Valve not closing properly. He also said this would explain why sometimes the cooling fan runs and never shuts off after the engine is turned off. Let's hope they are right.

coopcj7 · 10-14-2007, 12:48 PM

The expansion valve is a quick replacement I hope that it fixes your problem. Mine started out as that and then it was the compressor and now after the compressor has been replaces 3 times it still makes a noise I dont like

Sunny Ragtop · 10-14-2007, 01:59 PM

Should I NOT get an RL anytime soon due to mechanical problems??? Should I wait 6 months or so? I've just put my Base Sky on autotrader to order the RL. I've got EVERYTHING fixed on her and all is well (replaced LSD, Cup Holders, Squeaky top, Trottle body, etc) and I do not want to dish out the $10,000 differance for a car that is still haveing lots of mechanical problems.

Any insight??

ChgoBlues · 10-14-2007, 03:32 PM

Linda,

When are you getting the whistle noise?

**SKYRCKT** · 10-14-2007, 06:20 PM

Yep, had mine replaced about two months ago and it fixed the problem.

ChgoBlues · 10-14-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny Ragtop

Should I NOT get an RL anytime soon due to mechanical problems??? Should I wait 6 months or so? I've just put my Base Sky on autotrader to order the RL. I've got EVERYTHING fixed on her and all is well (replaced LSD, Cup Holders, Squeaky top, Trottle body, etc) and I do not want to dish out the $10,000 differance for a car that is still haveing lots of mechanical problems.

Any insight??

Food for thought:

Not every Red Line or car for that matter will have mechanical issues so I'm not sure I would condemn a whole line of vehicles because what some people experience. Remember, the forum members are only a small part of all the owners out there that we don't even hear from.

Secondly, one of the managers at a restaurant I worked for bought a brand new Bimmer, spent way more money than what you'd pay for a Red Line and didn't expect to have $15K in cooling system issues after driving it 5K miles. Its the chance we take buying something that is mechanical. If anyone worried about whether or not they were going to have issues, the auto industry would have folded decades ago. As bad as it may seem for some, cars are built much better now than they were in say even 20 years ago. A car able to go past a thousand miles on an oil change was rare and synthetic oils were just starting to come into popularity but you still had to change them, just not as frequently.

SaturnSkyDude · 10-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopcj7

The expansion valve is a quick replacement I hope that it fixes your problem. Mine started out as that and then it was the compressor and now after the compressor has been replaces 3 times it still makes a noise I dont like

I just had my Sky at the dealer to fix the "growling" noise when I turned on the A/C. They replaced the thermal expansion valve and the A/C compressor bolts? I believe there is a TSB posted on this forum that explains the different fixes for A/C noise depending on the symptoms.

nscrbug · 10-15-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChgoBlues

Linda,

When are you getting the whistle noise?

The whistling noise was constant when we brought it over to the dealer on Saturday. Basically from the moment we started the car in the morning, until later in the day when we actually got over to the dealer. It's louder at idle or when on the brakes. Everyone in the service department at the dealership heard the noise, so at least I know we're not considered "crazy".

Let me clarify something, too...we do not have any issues with the A/C compressor growling/howling like we did on our base Sky. This noise is totally different. It almost sounded like a belt problem, however...when the tech was looking it over on Saturday...he had another tech get in the car and turn on the blower motor to various different settings and the whistling noise got VERY loud. Hence, the reason he believes the problem to be the Thermal Expansion Valve. He also thinks it's the reason behind the cooling fan not shutting off after a few minutes when the car is shut off...the fan will stay on forever and just keep running. We would have to re-start the car and shut it off in order for the fan to stop running.

I dropped it off this morning. They put me in a loaner Aura...nice car.

ChgoBlues · 10-16-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nscrbug

The whistling noise was constant when we brought it over to the dealer on Saturday. Basically from the moment we started the car in the morning, until later in the day when we actually got over to the dealer. It's louder at idle or when on the brakes. Everyone in the service department at the dealership heard the noise, so at least I know we're not considered "crazy".

Let me clarify something, too...we do not have any issues with the A/C compressor growling/howling like we did on our base Sky. This noise is totally different. It almost sounded like a belt problem, however...when the tech was looking it over on Saturday...he had another tech get in the car and turn on the blower motor to various different settings and the whistling noise got VERY loud. Hence, the reason he believes the problem to be the Thermal Expansion Valve. He also thinks it's the reason behind the cooling fan not shutting off after a few minutes when the car is shut off...the fan will stay on forever and just keep running. We would have to re-start the car and shut it off in order for the fan to stop running.

I dropped it off this morning. They put me in a loaner Aura...nice car.

Thanks for the info Linda.. You doing the run this weekend?

**Skip** · 10-16-2007, 01:53 AM

Miss Linda, is that thar Sky of yourin whistlin Dixie? Liken ---way down South in tha land of cotton, good times thar will not be forgotton , look away, look away, Dixieland....Skip...

kwayne · 10-16-2007, 11:37 AM

Skip, put your O2 on, your getting delirious

nscrbug · 10-16-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChgoBlues

Thanks for the info Linda.. You doing the run this weekend?

Unfortunately, I won't be doing the Galena run this weekend. I'll be on my Harley, riding up to the Baraboo area in Wisconsin for a fall colors ride this weekend. Since it might be our last trip of the riding season, I don't want to miss it.

Have a great time on the run if you go...Galena is a beautiful area to drive (or ride) in!

ChgoBlues · 10-16-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nscrbug

Unfortunately, I won't be doing the Galena run this weekend. I'll be on my Harley, riding up to the Baraboo area in Wisconsin for a fall colors ride this weekend. Since it might be our last trip of the riding season, I don't want to miss it.

Have a great time on the run if you go...Galena is a beautiful area to drive (or ride) in!

Thanks..might be the last run for top down weather too..

nscrbug · 10-17-2007, 08:03 PM

Got a call from my dealer...apparently there is more wrong with my car than they originally thought.

They are waiting on more parts to arrive (don't know exactly what parts)...and said hopefully will be ready on Friday. I may start to get spoiled by that nice, cushy ride in my 'loaner' Aura..

Bogie · 10-17-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nscrbug

They are waiting on more parts to arrive (don't know exactly what parts)

Probably the permagrin overflow reservoir.

10-14-2007, 08:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
nscrbug First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 1,421 My Photos: (6)	Our RL is whistling I'll be dropping off our RL at my dealer on Monday. It has developed a high-pitched whistling sound. Brought it over to the dealer yesterday and a tech looked it over quickly and concluded it was the Thermal Expansion Valve not closing properly. He also said this would explain why sometimes the cooling fan runs and never shuts off after the engine is turned off. Let's hope they are right. __________________ Linda 2008 RL Delivered - 08/25/2007 Silver Pearl/Black Cloth Polished Alloys Automatic Monsoon 1 disc

10-14-2007, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 924 My Photos: (0)	The expansion valve is a quick replacement I hope that it fixes your problem. Mine started out as that and then it was the compressor and now after the compressor has been replaces 3 times it still makes a noise I dont like __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

10-14-2007, 01:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sunny Ragtop First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: I'm a G.R.I.T.S. Near Charlotte NC Posts: 301 My Photos: (0)	Should I NOT get an RL anytime soon due to mechanical problems??? Should I wait 6 months or so? I've just put my Base Sky on autotrader to order the RL. I've got EVERYTHING fixed on her and all is well (replaced LSD, Cup Holders, Squeaky top, Trottle body, etc) and I do not want to dish out the $10,000 differance for a car that is still haveing lots of mechanical problems. Any insight?? __________________ Sunburst Yellow 2.4L FIRST 1000--VIN 0676 Delivery 4/5/06 31,000 miles & not daily driver SCCA Autocross CSP Ladies pcmforless.com TUNE, CAI, Borla CAT

10-14-2007, 03:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChgoBlues Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 617 My Photos: (6)	Linda, When are you getting the whistle noise? __________________ 2008 Sky Red Line Midnight Blue/Black/5 spd Splash Guards Opel Antenna 2006 Ion Red Line Pacific Blue/Black/5 spd Stage 2/Extrudehone Exh Manifold Front Grille imSaturn:http://www.imsaturn.com/profile/Rob41

10-14-2007, 06:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
SKYRCKT Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Villa Rica, Georgia Posts: 694 My Photos: (20)	Yep, had mine replaced about two months ago and it fixed the problem. __________________ 07 Sky R/L, bluestone, 5-speed, black interior, spoiler, chrome wheels, RPI GT exhaust, Personal Audio Link (PAL) iPod adapter, Lil Chromies, Opel-style antenna, JPM visor covers, GA license plate: SKYRCKT THE FLAME IS HOTTER WHEN IT'S BLUE!

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10-16-2007, 11:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
kwayne First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: born & raised in Roseville,Mi. now living in Egg Harbor Twp.,NJ outside Atlantic City Posts: 1,065 My Photos: (0)	Skip, put your O2 on, your getting delirious __________________ Ken R/L Forrest Green,3 pedals, spoiler,1 CD Monsoon, GM performance re-tune "Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall, Torque is how much of the wall you take with you."

10-17-2007, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
nscrbug First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 1,421 My Photos: (6)	An update Got a call from my dealer...apparently there is more wrong with my car than they originally thought. They are waiting on more parts to arrive (don't know exactly what parts)...and said hopefully will be ready on Friday. I may start to get spoiled by that nice, cushy ride in my 'loaner' Aura.. __________________ Linda 2008 RL Delivered - 08/25/2007 Silver Pearl/Black Cloth Polished Alloys Automatic Monsoon 1 disc

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