Notices
Scion tC 1G Drivetrain & Power Engine and transmission discussions...

Buzzing in engine bay!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-21-2010, 03:24 PM
  #1  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default Buzzing in engine bay!!

hello fellow sl members. i have a buzzing noise in my engine bay that i cannot figure out. i have already put rubber on my intake so it's not the intake rubbing the fender. the sound is only present while shifting and in low-mid rpms. i can't figure out what the buzzing is from. my brother says it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side. i have no clue what it is and it's been happening for a looooong time!! my car sounds like crap!! someone PLEASE help!!

**UPDATE**
here are a few quick videos that my brother took so you can hear the buzzing i am talking about. (sorry for the quality, and amateur video skills) i am driving weird so i could make the buzzing occur as much as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcmjaVerKjw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5RRyK2tHXQ

Last edited by Killer_tC_06; 04-22-2010 at 10:11 PM. Reason: including links to videos
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:22 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
pyroman131's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,059
Default

Not too sure, but isn't that a grounding issue with the alternator?

Doesn't the Big Three upgrade eliminate that?
pyroman131 is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:26 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
Scinergy
 
tCduck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Springfield
Posts: 265
Default

It's had to say what it could be. Usually the motor vibrates a little in lower gears with more fuel but, if it is a bad buzzing. You might want to try and find out what area of the motor its coming from.
tCduck is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:30 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
rangerryda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 2,251
Default

Drive without your bumper on and see if it still happens. If it doesn't, then you know it's under the hood. Does it only buzz at the same frequency or does it get faster as the RPM's raise?
rangerryda is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:32 PM
  #5  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default

Originally Posted by pyroman131
Not too sure, but isn't that a grounding issue with the alternator?

Doesn't the Big Three upgrade eliminate that?
With all due respect, I have no clue what you're talking about. Lmao!! Elaborate please.
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:36 PM
  #6  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default

Originally Posted by tCduck
It's had to say what it could be. Usually the motor vibrates a little in lower gears with more fuel but, if it is a bad buzzing. You might want to try and find out what area of the motor its coming from.
I know that the motor vibrates when accelerating which is normal (as long as it's not accessive). And I'm pretty sure the sound is coming from the passanger side. I checked my header and it's secure so I'm sure that's ruled out...I'm so lost and it's really embarrassing that I have a nice sounding exhaust setup but my car sounds like crap from that sound...
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:41 PM
  #7  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default

Originally Posted by rangerryda
Drive without your bumper on and see if it still happens. If it doesn't, then you know it's under the hood. Does it only buzz at the same frequency or does it get faster as the RPM's raise?
That's a good idea, I'll probably try doing that. The buzzing is at the same frequency even while rpms raise. Although, it doesn't happen for the first minute or so...it's like it only happens when the engine is warm. Thanks to everyone who is trying to help, I'm very appreciative. Please don't give up on me!! Lol...
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Old 04-21-2010, 07:54 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
rangerryda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 2,251
Default

Keep us updated.
rangerryda is offline  
Old 04-24-2010, 10:29 PM
  #9  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default

So, my friend and I jacked up my car and we went through a pretty crazy test to try figuring out what's going on. We have come to a few possibilities which include my header, s-pipe or the donut gasket that is between the two. The sound does not happen at idle, only occurs when the engine is warm, and only up to 3000rpms. We even jacked the car up an put it in gear to see if we could hear it, nope!! The car must be on the ground to be making the noise. We are going to put the stock header back on Friday to see if we can further narrow the source. Again, thanks to all who are helping me out and please don't give up on me and my tC!!
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Old 04-25-2010, 10:23 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
sciontc_mich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,900
Default

Originally Posted by Killer_tC_06
So, my friend and I jacked up my car and we went through a pretty crazy test to try figuring out what's going on. We have come to a few possibilities which include my header, s-pipe or the donut gasket that is between the two. The sound does not happen at idle, only occurs when the engine is warm, and only up to 3000rpms. We even jacked the car up an put it in gear to see if we could hear it, nope!! The car must be on the ground to be making the noise. We are going to put the stock header back on Friday to see if we can further narrow the source. Again, thanks to all who are helping me out and please don't give up on me and my tC!!
hey killer, yeah I think it's in the exhaust too, but just check out the drivebelt side of the car and make sure the noise isn't coming from the belt tensioner or the water pump, that can make a sort of metallic rattle like you're hearing.

but if you don't find anything there, then yeah check the exhaust might be a heat shield.
sciontc_mich is offline  
Old 05-01-2010, 10:29 PM
  #11  
Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
 
Killer_tC_06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Default

So, I finally had a chance to jack up my car yesterday and figure out what this annoying noise was. Turns out it was the donut gasket that goes on the header!! When my friend and I put on the DC header we forgot to put on the friggin' gasket!! The test drive following the installation of the gasket was mind blowing to me. My throttle response is waaaay better, I can feel more torque, and of course the buzzing sound is gone. I'm pretty sure I will notice increased gas mileage as well. I am ridiculously happy that I figured out the problem and fixed it. If it weren't for you guys leading me in the right direction, I would still be here scratching my head...lol. Thanks guys!!
Killer_tC_06 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
airmankevin1
Scion tC 1G Owners Lounge
26
02-14-2018 01:23 PM
carid
Exclusive Sponsored Sales
2
03-30-2015 07:08 AM
Halo19boy
PPC: Wanted
4
01-27-2015 10:19 PM
Besk_one
Scion xA/xB 1st-Gen ICE & Interior
6
11-17-2003 09:28 PM



Quick Reply: Buzzing in engine bay!!



All times are GMT. The time now is 06:08 PM.