Unexplained Sound - puzzled mechanics !
Posted: August 8th, 2005, 3:11 am
Hey all, this is my first post and im hoping that you have some suggestions.
Car is a Eunos 30X (MX3) 1995 Model V6, K8 Engine
Here is the situation, whilst driving along a perfectly smooth stretch of freeway a noise appeared from under the car. To me it sounded like perhaps a stick was caught underneath and was hitting the underneath of the car or something like that. The car didnt hit a bump or anything and was running fine so i wasnt too bothered. I came home and did a quick visual inspection but found nothing. As i was headed near a friends workshop i didnt bother looking myself i just took it in - he drove it and listened, and looked under the car briefly and couldnt see anything . He suggested that the problem may be diff/transaxle related.
The characteristics of the noise as as follows
-Sounds like a dull hitting, like someone hitting the palm of their hand under the car while you are driving . You can feel it distinctly through the floor and hear it too.
- It doesnt start until you reach about 50 or 60Kmph and increases with speed. Sometimes it stops altogether, other times it keeps making the hitting sound regularly as if it is in time with some rotating part.
-Engine is fine, everything works perfectly.
- Makes the noise in all gears, while accellerating, decellerating, neutral , and with clutch in or out. The only thing that affects it is speed of the vehicle.
The transmission mechanic drove it and said the gearbox is fine, and that we should look at the tie rod ends and CVs very closely.
The mechanic took it back and kept it all day, he had it on the hoist and removed the wheels and checked all the external components and says everything is fine.
I have had the car up on stands all day and taken off everything that could possibly move , and basically everything is quite solid under there. Tyres are good, alignment was done recently too.
The only thing everyone says is that there is definitly something wrong and dont drive it until you find out what it is!
Now i know its hard to explain sounds with words, but i hope that someone may have some suggestions , or info on common/potential problems with the vehicle.
Car is a Eunos 30X (MX3) 1995 Model V6, K8 Engine
Here is the situation, whilst driving along a perfectly smooth stretch of freeway a noise appeared from under the car. To me it sounded like perhaps a stick was caught underneath and was hitting the underneath of the car or something like that. The car didnt hit a bump or anything and was running fine so i wasnt too bothered. I came home and did a quick visual inspection but found nothing. As i was headed near a friends workshop i didnt bother looking myself i just took it in - he drove it and listened, and looked under the car briefly and couldnt see anything . He suggested that the problem may be diff/transaxle related.
The characteristics of the noise as as follows
-Sounds like a dull hitting, like someone hitting the palm of their hand under the car while you are driving . You can feel it distinctly through the floor and hear it too.
- It doesnt start until you reach about 50 or 60Kmph and increases with speed. Sometimes it stops altogether, other times it keeps making the hitting sound regularly as if it is in time with some rotating part.
-Engine is fine, everything works perfectly.
- Makes the noise in all gears, while accellerating, decellerating, neutral , and with clutch in or out. The only thing that affects it is speed of the vehicle.
The transmission mechanic drove it and said the gearbox is fine, and that we should look at the tie rod ends and CVs very closely.
The mechanic took it back and kept it all day, he had it on the hoist and removed the wheels and checked all the external components and says everything is fine.
I have had the car up on stands all day and taken off everything that could possibly move , and basically everything is quite solid under there. Tyres are good, alignment was done recently too.
The only thing everyone says is that there is definitly something wrong and dont drive it until you find out what it is!
Now i know its hard to explain sounds with words, but i hope that someone may have some suggestions , or info on common/potential problems with the vehicle.
Looks like you've done all the hard work here without any luck so maybe you're looking too hard? Are you sure it's not something blowing in the wind? Mud flap, piece of sound deadener, that sort of thing? Long shot I know but it's gotta be something....