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Engine noise?

Tiny
ASHLAN0512
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 MAZDA 3
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
Need help diagnosing my car.

I have the car listed above sp25 with 170,000kms on it. A few months ago, on the way back from a 6-hour drive I started to hear a funny noise. Over the last few months, it got louder and louder.

Symptoms
- Fluttering noise when there is load on the engine
- it happens when accelerating and decelerating
- it varies with engine speed, however when coming to a stop it is in sync with wheel speed. Even when in neutral or rolling with clutch in
- there is no sound when idling
- there is no sound when revving the car without moving
- there is no sound rolling 20km/h + in neutral/ with the clutch pressed in
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 AT 4:58 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,517 POSTS
Hi,

When you are moving and hear the noise, does it change in volume or pitch when making turns? Is there any change when you use the brakes?

Since it isn't present when you are stopped, it has to be something with a wheel, brake, CV joint, or transmission.

If it is loud enough, record the sound and upload it for me to hear. Also, see if there is anything that changes how it sounds.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
ASHLAN0512
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I don’t believe it changed when braking or steering at all, it is quite noticeable without music on or the windows down but isn’t loud enough to record unfortunately. Is it possible it’s some from of bearing in the engine bay that varies with engine speed that could be damaged?

Does it sound like a serious enough problem that it will be a costly issue?

Thank you for the quick reply.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,517 POSTS
Do me one more favor. While moving and hearing the sound, place the transmission in neutral and see if the sound changes. If it remains constant when the engine drops to idle, I suspect it has something to do with a wheel bearing. If you notice in neutral it slows down while the car remains at the same speed, then it could be a bearing on one of the belt-driven accessories such as the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, tensioner. And so on.

Here is another idea. With the engine in park or neutral, slightly increase the engine speed to approximately 2,000 RPMs. Do you hear it at that point? If not, it has to be at one of the wheels or a component turning with the wheels.

As far as the cost to repair, I'm not sure what needs to be replaced, so that is hard to say.

Let me know.

Joe

If it becomes loud enough to record, please give that a try. You've heard the old saying, A picture paints a thousand words. In tech town, a sound vibrates a thousand wrenches. LOL
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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
ASHLAN0512
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
When put in neutral it doesn’t change sound at all, and when not moving there is nothing, I can do to make the sound.

However, I have a theory that it is actually two similar sounds meaning two problems. The reason I think this is there is one sound that happens whenever slowing down (the hypothetical wheel bearing one), and then another one that varies with engine speed.

Problem 1 symptoms
- varies with wheel speed
- doesn’t happen when not moving
- is only noticeable when slowing down, not speeding up

Problem 2 symptoms
- usually happens after driving for a while
- is most noticeable on the highway
- medium to high pitched fast sound when on highway
- varies with engine speed
- sounds very similar to first problem, just higher

I tried to video it, if you listen carefully, you will hear it before and after I downshift (it’s a lot louder and more noticeable in person).
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,517 POSTS
Hi,

I believe I heard it. It is a deeper growing sound, correct? Please understand, listening to a recording can change things, but to me, it sounds like a wheel bearing. Pay close attention when turning if it changes the sound. If it does, let me know how it changes and what direction you are turning.

Also, make sure the front tires aren't cupped. Make sure they are worn evenly. See pic below. Note that the edge of the tire has both high and low spots. That can cause this type of noise as well.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
ASHLAN0512
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
You are correct about it being a deep sound. I haven’t had the chance to test the steering yet, however I have relatively new tires on and there is no cupping or anything so it must be the wheel bearing. How do I know which one and how much will they cost?

Thank you so much for your help.
It’s really appreciated.
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Friday, February 17th, 2023 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

If it is a wheel bearing, in most cases (not all), you can tell which side is failing by sound changes when turning.

For example, if you turn right and the noise gets louder, chances are it is on the left side. If the sound gets quieter, chances are it is the right.

What happens is when you turn, the weight of the vehicle is redistributed. When you turn right, more of the weight is placed on the left side. So, if it gets louder, the left is the likely cause because it gets louder with more weight. On the other hand, when turning right, you reduce the amount of weight on the right wheel. So, if it gets quieter, the right side is the cause.

As far as the price is concerned, let me know what you find. Once we determine a side, I can look up labor times and get you approximate part costs. Also, I'll get you the directions. It may take some time to do it, but chances are you could do it yourself.

I hope that made sense. LOL Let me know if you have other questions or what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, February 17th, 2023 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
ASHLAN0512
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
There are no changes when I’m turning, starting to think it isn’t a wheel bearing to be honest. Sometimes it does go away when I put the clutch in while rolling. Actually, it mostly goes away when the clutch goes in as long as I’m going fast. However, putting the clutch in at slow speeds doesn’t get rid of the sound.

Am very confused right now, really hoping it’s not something bad.

You have been a great help.
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Sunday, February 19th, 2023 AT 3:28 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,517 POSTS
Hi,

Have you checked the transmission fluid condition and level? I ask because oftentimes, people forget to with a manual transmission.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, February 19th, 2023 AT 9:31 PM

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