What is this noise? (Video)

03SVT_PWRWRKS · 11-19-2012, 10:52 AM

Hi guys,

I have an 03 SVT Focus. 49K Miles. I have this strange noise coming from the transmission. I've noticed it only happens:
- When the car is cold
- Mostly around 3rd gear but I'v heard it in others.
- When I downshift to slow the car, Rev matching.

Every time it only lasts for no more than 20 seconds and it sounds like a Humming sound. In the video around 10 Seconds I put the phone right in the passenger foot-well to get a good listen. And then it goes away at 13 seconds.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...63860172264370

Let me know any ideas what it could be

Thanks for the help!

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***iminhell*** · 11-19-2012, 08:40 PM

Really hard to guess.

Find someone local to have a listen and see what they think.

03SVT_PWRWRKS · 11-20-2012, 11:33 AM

The thing is, it is very random. I know it only happens when the car is cold, but it is not like I can make it happen.

I had to whip out my phone to even grab that video!

BDSVT · 11-25-2012, 05:53 AM

SVTF has a few cheap, thin heat shields down the exhaust in several places. As my SVTF aged, these shields came loose and would vibrate at random time under random conditions, each making a different noise: from hums to outright duck call like noise. Could be that.

Also as my motor mounts went to pasture, I got more buzzes and creaks that would pop up at weird times.

02slvrfocus · 11-25-2012, 06:57 AM

id check your flex pipe and heat shields start obvious first and work on to bigger

***tukaniSVT*** · 11-25-2012, 11:54 PM

Definitely very hard to tell on your video.

Small Exhaust leak maybe ...

If it was your heat shield, you would here it at idle as well. So, I don't think that's it.

Ray

ysrpilot · 11-26-2012, 12:27 PM

Can't tell from the video, but I will agree with the others about the heatshield problems. I was hearing all kinds of terrible squeaking/vibration noises coming from my car that made me a little worried.

Upon investigation, the cat and header heatshields were both cracked around the bolts and vibrating. I took off the bottom cat heatshield and put washers behind the bolts on the top cat and a couple spots on the header headshields to snug everything up. Noises are now gone.

03SVT_PWRWRKS · 01-10-2013, 07:41 PM

Sorry for such a delay. The noise is starting to get worse I would say.

I really don't think it is the heat shield. It is so much more heavy sounding than a small heat shield. My best guess was the engine torque mount. I have a VF mount, checked It, and it happend the rubber bushings were shot, so I thought that was definitely it. Ordered a new vVF mount and it is still there. And actually I believe it made the noise last longer and I hear it every time the car is cold.

It sounds like it is coming from right below the shifter, but a little more towards the engine. When the car is cold I need to get going and then when the car hits about 3k the noise will appear. Then it fades away as the rpms fall. After 2k it is gone. I can be stopped and rev the engine to make the noise appear as well. Then once the car is warmed it is gone.

Could it be the T-stat?

Thanks for all the help