Is it a "clack"?

[jha1223]

I am kind of at a loss. I've had my tune for a bit now and things have been running pretty good. All stock other than TI CAI and Brenspeed tune. Running the 91 and BP gas.

I noticed it a few days ago. I wouldn't describe the sound as a clunk, click, tick, thud or anything like that. But, it is a "clack" sound that keeps time with my acceleration. It does not go away as the vehicle warms up. It does however, seem to be much less noticeable in 4th and 5th, but that may be because the sound is muffled compared to road noise. I really notice it when I am in traffic or next to a wall where the sound reverbs off of things around me.

I have noticed ZERO difference in how the car drives, but that sound is scaring the crap out of me. I've messaged Dave and waiting for a response, but I thought I'd tap you guys and see if any ideas popped in your head.

I really don't want to return it to stock, dig out the stock airbox and take it for a trip to the dealership, but I'm afraid that may be in order.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dysan]

If you're still under warranty, then bring it in. Don't let an unknown noise go too long or it can possibly turn into something much worse.

Also, you need to try and provide a bit more info for people to give a diagnosis like where the sound is coming from and possibly get some audio / video of it.

 

[jha1223]

I'm trying to find a halfway decent recording device heh.

I can't pinpoint under the hood where the sound is coming from as I'm not under there when I am driving of course.

I'll try and grab something to record audio and hope it doesn't get drowned out by wind noise.

 

[supadave]

I am kind of at a loss. I've had my tune for a bit now and things have been running pretty good. All stock other than TI CAI and Brenspeed tune. Running the 91 and BP gas.

I noticed it a few days ago. I wouldn't describe the sound as a clunk, click, tick, thud or anything like that. But, it is a "clack" sound that keeps time with my acceleration. It does not go away as the vehicle warms up. It does however, seem to be much less noticeable in 4th and 5th, but that may be because the sound is muffled compared to road noise. I really notice it when I am in traffic or next to a wall where the sound reverbs off of things around me.

I have noticed ZERO difference in how the car drives, but that sound is scaring the crap out of me. I've messaged Dave and waiting for a response, but I thought I'd tap you guys and see if any ideas popped in your head.

I really don't want to return it to stock, dig out the stock airbox and take it for a trip to the dealership, but I'm afraid that may be in order.

Thanks in advance.

Mine did the same thing after JLT and Tune, only did it when the car wasnt completly warmed up. It sounded like it was coming from under the car somewhere... I just make sure to let the car warm up for a while before i start driving havent had the problem since. It was a horrible sound and im also curious about what it was...

D

 

[jha1223]

Mine did the same thing after JLT and Tune, only did it when the car wasnt completly warmed up. It sounded like it was coming from under the car somewhere... I just make sure to let the car warm up for a while before i start driving havent had the problem since. It was a horrible sound and im also curious about what it was...

D

Well, now I don't feel so bad. I let it warm up quite a bit before I leave work, but I guess I'll try letting it warm up longer. Like I said above, I don't think that it seemed to go away after driving for a while, but I'll check that. Thanks for the response!

 

[bigmachano]

could it be an exhaust leak?

 

[07stangcs]

Low oil. 99% sure. Change oil. Put 6qts cause 5 just doesn't cut it. I got this clacky noise at low rpm and it was only under light accel. I have a feeling it's are loud valvetrain/VCT system not agreeing with low oil. I'm pretty sure this will fix ur prob. Also it's the cheapest route to start at.

 

[jha1223]

Low oil. 99% sure. Change oil. Put 6qts cause 5 just doesn't cut it. I got this clacky noise at low rpm and it was only under light accel. I have a feeling it's are loud valvetrain/VCT system not agreeing with low oil. I'm pretty sure this will fix ur prob. Also it's the cheapest route to start at.

Did a Royal Purple oil (5w30)and Mobil1 filter change with 6 quarts about 3 weeks ago. Already checked for fluid leaks and the area under my car is dry as a bone. Maybe i need to go back to a lighter weight?

And thanks again for the suggestions, i'm willing to check quite a bit. Hoping I can learn a little more about the car as I do this, w/o breaking shit.

 

[08gt4u]

well there is a thread here that a member switch over to thicker oil and the car started making a louder noise for 800 miles i believe he said.ill try to search for it.

 

[08gt4u]

here you go post#9.you might want to send him a pm maybe is just the oil.

http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30700

 

[jha1223]

here you go post#9.you might want to send him a pm maybe is just the oil.

http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30700

Wow, thanks for looking for that. I'll give it a look.

 

[JeremyH]

I went from 5w20 to 5w30 and my engine/valvetrain got quieter. I stick to rp and mobil 1.

 

[jha1223]

I went from 5w20 to 5w30 and my engine/valvetrain got quieter. I stick to rp and mobil 1.

That is what I was hoping actually. But not the case for me.

I'm taking it back to stock today to see if it quiets down. I'm perplexed.

 

[jha1223]

Digging up a way old thread of my own. I deserve a dunce cap for this one and thought about just letting it go, but somehow I think I'll feel better if I get this off my chest.

After working on this issue for a while I just gave up. I looked all over the CAI and nothing looked bad. Took it apart and put it back together. Looked all over the engine bay. Climbed under the car and listened for leaks. I just kept hearing this damn noise and couldn't pin point it.


Went back to stock and the noise was gone. Went back to tune and the noise was louder with 91 tune than with 87. Just couldn't seem to figure out what the hell was going on. I looked at gas mileage and it was in the shitter, but no codes. Damn it!

Tonight I thought I'd give the engine bay a good cleaning and swap in the CAI inlet that Lightblade sold me (THANKS man!) along with an AEM Dryflow filter.
Did the engine reset (black battery cable) and after 20 minutes, fired it up.

Noise gone. Completely gone. What the hell... So I looked over the old cai and filter. I noticed that the area where the MAF would connect was cracked. Slightly, but still cracked. Put the old CAI back on and sprayed some carb cleaner near the maf connection and the engine revved. Well son of a bitch. The noise was back too. Swapped the new inlet and filter back on. Noise gone again. Sprayed the carb cleaner and nothing.

I think the true test will be driving it for a few weeks and see if the noise returns or the power goes away again. I guess the 40 bucks for the inlet and the 60 bucks for the filter will be worth it if I can drive this bitch again without wondering wtf is going on.