Whistle while in motion?

[Kdouglas89]

Ive been having this issue now for awhile. It seems it only starts happening when I have been driving around for a bit. Its a really high pitch whistle sound that only happens when the car is in motion. It does not increase, or decrease under acceleration, nor does it while on the brake or hitting a bump. It has the same tone, no matter what I do. If im stopped, it stops. Once I get to a roll, it starts.

I can only recreate this noise while I drive, and my phone doesn't really pick up the noise, so no video available.

Anyone have an idea?

 

[kmasterx75]

when I had a problem like that it turned out my cat was shot. I would check exhaust system it may be plugged. back pressure in the exhaust pipe leaking where ever it can makes one hell of a whine and you may not hear it while engine is at idle.

 

[Kdouglas89]

when I had a problem like that it turned out my cat was shot. I would check exhaust system it may be plugged. back pressure in the exhaust pipe leaking where ever it can makes one hell of a whine and you may not hear it while engine is at idle.

It wouldn't make sense in my situation. It doesnt make the sound if I rev, only when the car is driving. It doesnt increase in sound when I rev, nor does the sound make any difference driving over any bumps.

It's just a solid whistle, till I come to a stop. Then it dies.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Could be wheel bearing, could be a boost leak. Have you done a blt or shaken down the front end or rear to see if anything feels loose? Does the noise seem to be in the front or rear? We need way more details to be able to help bro!

 

[Black95TSIawd]

My car does the exact same thing. Does not matter what gear its in, what RPM, or how much boost. I can push in the clutch and rev the motor while the car is in motion and the sound does not change at all. It only stops when the car stops. It seems to be speed sensative. Faster I go, louder it gets. The prior told me it was an axle seal, but I find that hard to believe. When I get a chance, I'm going to throw the car on jack stands and see whats up.

 

[Kdouglas89]

Could be wheel bearing, could be a boost leak. Have you done a blt or shaken down the front end or rear to see if anything feels loose? Does the noise seem to be in the front or rear? We need way more details to be able to help bro!

Closing thread due to lack of detail. Cant explain any better without a video, which I cannot do.

Edit: Keeping open, someone else is having the same issue

 

[Kdouglas89]

My car does the exact same thing. Does not matter what gear its in, what RPM, or how much boost. I can push in the clutch and rev the motor while the car is in motion and the sound does not change at all. It only stops when the car stops. It seems to be speed sensative. Faster I go, louder it gets. The prior told me it was an axle seal, but I find that hard to believe. When I get a chance, I'm going to throw the car on jack stands and see whats up.

This exactly ^

 

[AWD Sebring]

Dust shield or perhaps the carrier bearing for the drivers side axle. Ive never heard of that carrier bearing fail though. Where does it sound like the noise is coming from?

 

[Xploitn]

Is there a certain area the whistle is coming from (front/rear, left/right/center, under you/around you?)

Unfortunately I don't have an answer, but hopefully I can help you troubleshoot and narrow down the possibilities.

raise all four tires off the ground with jackstands and run through the first 2-3 gears (tires spinning in the air) and see if you hear the noise. Then you will be able to narrow down the noise because you know it isn't wind noise.

Hopefully it'll make the noise while it's on the jackstands and you can see the part doing it.

(be very careful the jacks are properly supporting the car!)

 

[Kdouglas89]

Is there a certain area the whistle is coming from (front/rear, left/right/center, under you/around you?)

Unfortunately I don't have an answer, but hopefully I can help you troubleshoot and narrow down the possibilities.

raise all four tires off the ground with jackstands and run through the first 2-3 gears (tires spinning in the air) and see if you hear the noise. Then you will be able to narrow down the noise because you know it isn't wind noise.

Hopefully it'll make the noise while it's on the jackstands and you can see the part doing it.

(be very careful the jacks are properly supporting the car!)

To me it sounds like the front, but I am not 100% certain. I guess the only way would be to jack the car up and get the wheels goin

Thanks for help!

 

[thomcasey]

Is your BOV unrecirculated? 1G BOV's make this sound when cruising (unrecirculated). Most BOV's will open a bit at cruise, causing a whistle sometimes.

 

[Vdubzr32]

That's a possible solution in narrowing it down but like he said above be very careful and shift slow and smooth

 

[Kdouglas89]

Is your BOV unrecirculated? 1G BOV's make this sound when cruising (unrecirculated). Most BOV's will open a bit at cruise, causing a whistle sometimes.

Ive got the HKS SQ4, so it doesnt re-circulate. It definitely sounds like it could be it. Would the whistle be caused by a leak, or would it just be coming out of the "mouth" of the bov?

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Is your BOV unrecirculated? 1G BOV's make this sound when cruising (unrecirculated). Most BOV's will open a bit at cruise, causing a whistle sometimes.

My car is bone stock outside of a kn drop in filter.


It sounds like it is coming from the right front area. Can't say exactly, but definitely from the front. Also, if its raining out, no noise.

 

[Kdouglas89]

My car is bone stock outside of a kn drop in filter.


It sounds like it is coming from the right front area. Can't say exactly, but definitely from the front. Also, if its raining out, no noise.

This also. I remember It was squeaking, I washed my car, then it didn't do it on the way home. blahh haha

 

[DogWhistle]

See if it changes when you apply the brakes while driving. If so, the noise is the wear sensors in the front disc brake pads. The wear sensors consist of a piece of metal that rubs on the rotor when the pads are worn close enough to allow it to touch. If it gets lubrication, from say, your car wash, they won't squeal. Applying the brakes will usually change the noise, or even make it temporarily stop.

 

[navyissuedsm]

could be that your disc brake guard is really close to the rotor and that once it gets hit by some air force it starts touching. ir possible a lose piece of plastic. you have all your fasteners in on your splash guards?

 

[Dude McGee]

I had a similar issue. Turned out my exhaust mani to head gasket had a tiny leak by cyl 1. Small enough to barely leave a black spray, but enough to whistle while under load raising in pitch with rpm/load. Like the center 2 plys were just screaming like a reed on an instrument. The really wierd part was like you said, as I revved free spinning the motor it wouldnt whistle, only under load. But I dont recall a moisture variation effecting the sound as you guys mention. This was a few years back on the old motor. Might be something easy to eliminate from the large amount of possibilities.

 

[Zufelt]

This may sounds strange but are you SURE it has to do with drive train? My car whistles in motion and the fans on.. And stops with the car off. Sounds silly but are your fans off?