Hello, I'm new here,
I have a 2007 350z Touring Model with 59,000 miles.
Everything seems just fine with it, 2nd gear is a little rough sometimes.

But this morning, at about 5:15 am, and about 45 degrees, I was at the McDonalds drive through, and when I had my window down, I could hear a whining noise from the engine, it was definitely me, no other cars.

It was pretty loud bounding off the wall that was 10 inches away and at the time of day, but that's the only time I could hear it loudly, I drove with windows down to work to try and find it again, and could only hear it very faintly when sitting at a light alone. I don't think I would of been able to hear it over the growling idle of the car if I wasn't intentionally listening past it. The car was more warm by this point.

The sound doesn't get louder with more gas pedal, or more speed, and doesn't seem to get quieter or go away with warmth.

Does anyone have some ideas what this could be, I'd like to get it fixed, I hate having a nice car that makes those kind of sounds.

Thank you! Any help is appreciated.

 

try changing the transmission and rear diff oil.... it may be old and broken down or low even.

 

Clutch in or out?

How far is fatdonalds from your house?

 

Clutch was in the times I heard it.

 

3 minutes with a stop light.

 

fluid was not warm yet....

 

I'd agree, but 15 minutes later, at stop light in downtown, I could hear it faintly, there was no wall or curb nearby to enhance the sound.

 

and that goes back to my original post... when was the last time you checked or changed fluids in trans and diff?

 

Never, I've only had the car for 200 miles.
Definitely sounds like its from the engine bay though, like a belt.
I've read about how they can whine when cold, but it was persistent.

Maybe it could be the AC pully, read some about how that can get loud when unused.

 

i would change the belts and all fluids right after getting it... there is no telling if it has ever been done

 

I agree.
I think that will be my weekend project.

 

definitely not going to hurt anything

 

With the clutch in the trans wont be spinning. Mine makes an odd whining/whirring/idknotknowwhat sound when it's cold and the clutch it out at idle. I thought I had a P/S pump going bad or something because it would get higher pitched when I revved the engine up. But then I pushed the clutch in and it went away.