What could cause a sort of growling noise from.

Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MAZDA 626
  • 102,000 MILES
What could cause a sort of growling noise from the front of the car? I noticed that when driving at highway speeds (anywhere from 45mph) there is a "growling" noise coming from the front of the car when pressing the brakes to bring the car to a stop. Usually happens when making a turn as well ( like going off onto an exit ramp, etc.) Thanks
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 AT 5:15 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The first thing I would do is do a brake inspection.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 AT 5:50 AM
Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
But it doesnt sound like it is coming from the brakes. I replaced the brake a few months ago. The noise began to occur in the past week or two. It sounds like its somewhere from the engine or exhaust manifold. Could it have anything to do with the catalytic converter or the exhaust manifold gasket? Thanks again
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 AT 5:59 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You said you hear it coming from the front while stepping on the brakes so the brakes would make the most sense. Stepping on the brakes doesnt effect the engine making noise. What kind of brakes did you put on?Please be specific?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I used the brakes recommended by the auto shop. And like I said, that was a while ago, the car ran and stopped great when I replaced them. The car doesnt squeel or grind, the noise sounds like a really bad exhaust or something, yet there are no holes in the exhaust pipe or muffler that I can see. It's not my car, but Im trying to be as specific as I can be, recalling from my memory. The growling noise doesnt occur just when you press the brakes, but when you release your foot off the gas. Sorry about that. It is when I drive and approach a stop, I release the gas pedal to get ready to hit the brakes, and it growls/purrs until I come to a stop. Hope this helps. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 AT 6:16 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
See if the noise goes away in neutral?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 18th, 2012 AT 3:11 AM
Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok I will try it this weekend and let you know whether it does or doesnt, as well as any other information I can gather. Thanks for your time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 19th, 2012 AT 3:50 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome keep me posted.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 19th, 2012 AT 5:22 AM
Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yeah it still makes that noise in nuetral. It also occurs when accelerating, but not when accelerating slowly. It's not a loud head turning noise, but it is noticeable. Like I said it sounds sort of like a bad muffler or something, but it comes from the front of the car. Maybe im just over reacting? Thanks again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 AT 1:46 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Maybe the exhaust manifold is leaking?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 AT 4:26 AM
Tiny
NOVIIK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yeah thats kind of what I'm thinking, just wanted to see if anything else could be the problem, something I may not know about. Is there a way to tell? I mean are there any tests I can do besides just taking it apart and inspecting it? Thanks for your input.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 AT 5:11 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
There is a smoke test but that takes a expensive machine I would inspect the manifold for cracking/cracks etc also run the engine in part listening for leaks reving it up try to duplicate the noise.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 AT 4:26 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links