Makes whining noise above 25 MPH

Tiny
STEPHELE99
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 HONDA CIVIC
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
I just recently started hearing a strange whining noise filling my cabin once I accelerate my car above 25-30 MPH. It becomes aggressively louder as I increase the speed. Any thoughts on what could be the problem here? Thank you so much!
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 AT 1:10 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

Usually what we ask when it comes to noises with the car unseen we ask for you to make a video with your cell phone and upload it here. This helps more in diagnosing the sound. Once you get back to us we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Is the noise coming from the engine brakes front or rear?
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Thursday, March 4th, 2021 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
STEPHELE99
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  • 6 POSTS
Hi Danny, hi Ken,

Thanks so much for checking in on my question. I really appreciate it. Finally, I was able to record a video of the sound. I've attached it for you here. Apologies for the delay.

Firstly, in response to Ken's question, while I can't definitively say if it's coming from the engine brakes, it certainly sounds like it's coming from the front of the car.

Just a couple of additional findings: I've discovered that when I keep the engine in neutral and start revving the engine, there is no out-of-place sound at all. Also, the sound doesn't seem to be initiated by my pressing down on the gas, but rather by the overall speed of the car. To clarify what I mean, I may be on the highway driving downhill and not pressing on the gas, but since my car is still accelerating due to gravity/momentum, the sound will get louder. As stated earlier, the sound amplifies with speed. Whether I'm driving with the A/C on/off and on Eco-friendly or not makes no difference.

If you can share any additional thoughts here, I would really appreciate it. Thank you guys!
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed no one has responded to you in a couple days. I'm interested in knowing if any progress has been made.

I did listen to the video you supplied, but I was unable to hear anything. As far as the sound, is there anything that causes it to change? For example, does stopping or turning change the tone?

Let us know.
Take care and God Bless,
Joe
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Sunday, March 14th, 2021 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Just curious. It almost sounds like a power steering or automatic transmission fluid level being low causing this whine sound with engine RPM's. Have you had all the fluid levels checked recently? Let us know and we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
STEPHELE99
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Joe, yeah I figured it would be difficult to tell, considering that there's no reference to compare off of. Here's another video of what the engine should sound like (or at least closer to a proper noise). In this video, I'm in park and pressing on my accelerator. If you watch and listen to the first video, you should be able to tell a distinct difference between the two. Again, the abnormal sound becomes louder as the speed of the car increases, not simply from pressing on the accelerator which you can do while in park or in neutral.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
STEPHELE99
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  • 6 POSTS
Hi Danny L, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it. I'll have to look into the fluid levels for sure.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi,

For some reason, there is no audio with the video. Have you checked the fluids as Danny suggested? Also, is there any change in the noise when turning or stopping?

Joe
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

If you notice the sounds more with the vehicle moving and not parked and running I would suspect more of a transmission related sound. As I suggested earlier I would be sure to check the transmission fluid level and the power steering fluid level as a start. Let us know and get back to us when you can. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Thursday, March 18th, 2021 AT 3:41 AM
Tiny
STEPHELE99
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Danny and Joe, so I did finally get an update, after having dropped off the car to the dealership. So, I wasn't aware that with Honda Civics that you need to replace the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. I'm at 80,000, unfortunately. I was told that the humming noise is coming out of my CVT transmission due to the fact that the transmission fluid has never been replaced. The very odd statement they gave me was that at this point I should not replace the transmission fluid, as it could potentially cause unforeseeable damage. Does that make any sense at all to you guys? I would've figured that I should replace it immediately.
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Friday, March 19th, 2021 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That's a tough call. We always would say that once the fluid is extremely dirty, new fluid could clean the transmission enough to cause the clutches to slip. How dirty was the fluid?

Joe
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Friday, March 19th, 2021 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
STEPHELE99
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Unfortunately, that's a level of detail that they never shared with me.

So, based on your comment, I'm interpreting that as "yes, replacing the transmission fluid at this stage could cause damage". Am I understanding you there correctly?
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Friday, March 19th, 2021 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi,

Not being there to see it and (don't laugh) smell it, that is difficult to answer. Here is what I suggest: We need a second opinion. Take it to a place that services transmissions. Have them check it and see its condition.

Or, I have attached the directions for checking level (see pics below). Do this and take a white paper towel and get some of the fluid on it. Take a pic of it and upload it for me to see. Hopefully, I will be able to see how dirty it actually is.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Joe

PS: see pics below
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Friday, March 19th, 2021 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Yes, Honda gave you the correct information. Those transmissions are sealed units and have a very strict service and repair schedule to follow. With the transmission not being serviced and being dirty a lot of the friction material from the clutches inside becomes suspended in the old dirty fluid. If you where to change the fluid now you will lose the friction material with the new fluid. After this service it would just be a matter of time before the transmission would start to slip or fail altogether. This is why they just told you to not do anything at this time. I would agree as well to prevent further damage. Let us know if you have any further questions on this issue. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Saturday, March 20th, 2021 AT 2:19 AM

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