Help me figure out what this noise is. I can only hear it after engine is warm. Intermittent at idle. Fan not running. I can only hear it inside the car. I tried to listen with engine compartment open but cannot hear it from there. I have a sound clip video but you have to crank volume up or have good speakers to hear it. It is like a grinding/squealing. Passed by dealer to listen to it briefly. Didn't think it's from belts. HELP.

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I just noticed that's the same distant noise I hear coming from inside the car only at idle and when the car is warmed up. Actually some days I hear nothing, and other days I hear the exact noise from the posted video. I have a 2009 targa 4s and brought it in once to the dealer to check, but they said it was nothing to worry about. Just wondering if you found out what the cause was. It almost sounds like a belt-pulley issue but not sure.
Thanks

 

Sounds like a pulley bearing to me as well.

 

It's almost a year ago, dealer has checked my car. They listened with a special stethoscope trying to see where it is coming from. They cannot here any strange noise outside the vehicle, even listened to it engine running warm on a lift. Had them check belts, fuel and water pump. They did not find cause. I still hear it though but not bothered any more.

 

Thanks for the replies. Dealer couldn't find anything either, so, learn to live with it , I guess?