A hard sound to ID

JakeO5 · 06-03-2009, 03:21 PM

Actually, not only hard to ID but hard to explain. This is my DD and it has only happened on one day a number of times and then once a few days later. I think I will probably have to wait until it gets worse but here it goes. The best way I can describe it is the sound of a trucks air-breaks minus the hiss. Sort of a "toot" sound for lack of a better description. It happened backing up. Steady low speed. Sitting still at idle. Moving around a parking lot and going in a straight line. Have only noticed it at low RPM but can't pin it down to any specific action. There seems to be nothing I can reproduce to force the sound. It just happens once in a while. One day it was quite often, then the next couple of days not at all. Then just once today.

I have been around cars a long time and never really heard the sound before. First time I heard it I thought is was someone else, then the second time I first thought rusty break pad but not quite, and my breaks were not applied. Only happens a split second at a time. All else is normal. Just thought I would send out a feeler to see if anyone has ever heard something like that at all? Does not feel like anything major, just strange.
Thanks

RL1924 · 06-03-2009, 03:28 PM

I must say trying to explain those anoyying sounds are not easy too do lol, Have no idea but wish you the best of luck those little things drive me crazy

red00s2k · 06-03-2009, 04:29 PM

it could be that you have a misfire at ilde that's what was wrong with mine. Is your check engine light on? If it is your ignition which what is wrong with mine, they are about $83.00 a piece better then anything else

ol rich · 06-03-2009, 07:00 PM

Warped rotor???, sticking e brake?? is it weather dependent, does it in cold vs. hot or just whenever it feels like it???

slowrodent · 06-03-2009, 08:15 PM

hmmmm....
Driving alone? If not, passenger have beans for lunch?

Funny thing is that I think mine makes the same sound. I have an '00... It does it very infrequently and usually at highway speed. More often with a passenger in the car... I suspect a suspension squeek, but cannot isolate it yet.

Kevin

JakeO5 · 06-05-2009, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the answers. I think my passenger was eating beans. The noise did not happen for a few days and then twice today. So far it has never happened at speeds over 40 and not at high RPMs but since I can't reproduce the sound by any action that I seem to be able to take it is hard to say. It is always hot here (Florida) and while the other days it was not raining, today it was when the sound happened. No engine check light and it doesn't seem to be coming from the engine compartment but I hesitate to rule that out because it happened once when I was not moving so that would lead me to believe it is engine related. The car runs smooth as glass, no indication of a back or misfire. I guess if it is something failing it will get worse and at some point become obvious. Thanks again for the thoughts, you guys are great.

JakeO5 · 06-30-2009, 06:00 PM

OK, I think I may have narrowed it down a little but still not sure at all. Seems it may be associated with my AC. Almost like a valve is opening and the sound is caused by the freon flowing? Anyone ever experience anything like that? Sort of makes sense to me but have never heard it before in any other car I have had. Still not sure but would appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Thanks.

ol rich · 06-30-2009, 06:10 PM

if refrigerant level is low it could be the compressor cycling and making that whoosh/clunky kind of sound- had it on a Vette and another GM a whlile (ok loooong while) back. Good luck- should be findable.

philiam · 06-30-2009, 08:42 PM

Does it happen with the AC off?

JakeO5 · 07-01-2009, 07:32 AM

As far as it happening only when AC is on. I think so but since it happens so rarely I can't swear to it yet. I have never heard it with the top down and of course I don't use the AC with the top down but can't swear to it at this point. I checked to see what Honda would charge to do a check of the AC, it was surprisingly expensive. I need to look at the system but I asked why so expensive to check the pressure of the AC? I didn't think it was much more difficult then checking the preasure on a tire and the answer I got was there were a number of points they had to check which would require removal of parts.

philiam · 07-01-2009, 09:52 PM

Might be the AC clutch. Run the AC with the hood up, put a long screwdriver on the compressor, put the other end to your ear and listen to see if you're getting the noise.

JakeO5 · 07-03-2009, 06:43 AM

Will do, thanks. Have to wait a few weeks as I am on travel but will check as soon as I get home.

06-03-2009, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
JakeO5 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 94	A hard sound to ID Actually, not only hard to ID but hard to explain. This is my DD and it has only happened on one day a number of times and then once a few days later. I think I will probably have to wait until it gets worse but here it goes. The best way I can describe it is the sound of a trucks air-breaks minus the hiss. Sort of a "toot" sound for lack of a better description. It happened backing up. Steady low speed. Sitting still at idle. Moving around a parking lot and going in a straight line. Have only noticed it at low RPM but can't pin it down to any specific action. There seems to be nothing I can reproduce to force the sound. It just happens once in a while. One day it was quite often, then the next couple of days not at all. Then just once today. I have been around cars a long time and never really heard the sound before. First time I heard it I thought is was someone else, then the second time I first thought rusty break pad but not quite, and my breaks were not applied. Only happens a split second at a time. All else is normal. Just thought I would send out a feeler to see if anyone has ever heard something like that at all? Does not feel like anything major, just strange. Thanks

06-30-2009, 08:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 2,535	Does it happen with the AC off? __________________ .

07-01-2009, 09:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 2,535	Might be the AC clutch. Run the AC with the hood up, put a long screwdriver on the compressor, put the other end to your ear and listen to see if you're getting the noise. __________________ .

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06-03-2009, 03:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,037	I must say trying to explain those anoyying sounds are not easy too do lol, Have no idea but wish you the best of luck those little things drive me crazy

06-03-2009, 04:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
red00s2k Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 56	it could be that you have a misfire at ilde that's what was wrong with mine. Is your check engine light on? If it is your ignition which what is wrong with mine, they are about $83.00 a piece better then anything else

06-03-2009, 08:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
slowrodent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 133	hmmmm.... Driving alone? If not, passenger have beans for lunch? Funny thing is that I think mine makes the same sound. I have an '00... It does it very infrequently and usually at highway speed. More often with a passenger in the car... I suspect a suspension squeek, but cannot isolate it yet. Kevin

06-05-2009, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
JakeO5 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 94	Thanks for the answers. I think my passenger was eating beans. The noise did not happen for a few days and then twice today. So far it has never happened at speeds over 40 and not at high RPMs but since I can't reproduce the sound by any action that I seem to be able to take it is hard to say. It is always hot here (Florida) and while the other days it was not raining, today it was when the sound happened. No engine check light and it doesn't seem to be coming from the engine compartment but I hesitate to rule that out because it happened once when I was not moving so that would lead me to believe it is engine related. The car runs smooth as glass, no indication of a back or misfire. I guess if it is something failing it will get worse and at some point become obvious. Thanks again for the thoughts, you guys are great.

06-30-2009, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
JakeO5 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 94	OK, I think I may have narrowed it down a little but still not sure at all. Seems it may be associated with my AC. Almost like a valve is opening and the sound is caused by the freon flowing? Anyone ever experience anything like that? Sort of makes sense to me but have never heard it before in any other car I have had. Still not sure but would appreciate anyone's thoughts. Thanks.

07-01-2009, 07:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
JakeO5 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 94	As far as it happening only when AC is on. I think so but since it happens so rarely I can't swear to it yet. I have never heard it with the top down and of course I don't use the AC with the top down but can't swear to it at this point. I checked to see what Honda would charge to do a check of the AC, it was surprisingly expensive. I need to look at the system but I asked why so expensive to check the pressure of the AC? I didn't think it was much more difficult then checking the preasure on a tire and the answer I got was there were a number of points they had to check which would require removal of parts.

07-03-2009, 06:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
JakeO5 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 94	Will do, thanks. Have to wait a few weeks as I am on travel but will check as soon as I get home.