Growling noise when coasting and check engine light is on

Tiny
DEVON COLSON-ZACHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
  • 232,000 MILES
Throwing out EGR valve code and catalyst system below threshold bank 1 and bank 2. It started making this scary growling type noise coming from the driver's side, not sure if it’s up far enough to be the engine when going uphill, but it started making the same growl possibly scraping sound when I’m coasting, when gas pedal is depressed, it doesn’t make the sound but as soon as I take my foot off the gas it starts doing it. Also loses power when it does it like my car is pulling back if that makes sense. I’m worried it may be the transmission but was told it could be the catalytic converter. I have a couple videos, but the audio isn’t too good at picking up the sound but it’s loud in person.
Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 3:34 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

That's an interesting one. Please help me understand something. When your foot is off the throttle is when you hear it. You also said it loses power when you hear it. Do you mean it feels like the brakes are being applied?

Also, if the inside of the catalytic converter comes loose, it can cause a rattling. So, the idea that it could be related is very possible. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

If possible, upload your videos so I can hear what is happening. Hopefully, I'll be able to hear it and recognize the sound.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
DEVON COLSON-ZACHER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
This is the video where I feel you can hear it best. It starts with me accelerating then you can hear the growling sound start a few seconds in. It loses power like it’s in a lower gear than it should be in for the speed I’m going like a dragging back feeling. I also haven’t looked under there to know which side my cat is on (I know very little about cars) but I think it’s coming from the drivers side and my uncle says it sounds like it’s coming from the passenger side.
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I do hear something that sounds like a rattle. That could be the insides of the catalytic converter.

If you take a rubber mallet and tap on the exhaust, can you reproduce the sound?

Joe
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 7:29 PM

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