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Help identifying noise while driving

Discussion in '308/328' started by Dave Bertrand, Jun 24, 2021.

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  1. Dave Bertrand

    Dave Bertrand Formula Junior
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    #1 Dave Bertrand, Jun 24, 2021
    My 89 328 is new to me and today I took it out for its first real pleasure drive. I noticed that there's a very high-pitched whine when the car is accelerating. It isn't very loud, but quite noticeable. It doesn't seem to change with RPM as far as I can tell.

    It sounds very much like a water pump bearing when it's wearing out. However, I'm sure it isn't that, because:

    1. It only occurs when the car is in gear, and under acceleration.
    2. It does not occur during idling, or when goosing the throttle while in neutral, or when cruising at part throttle.

    Since the car has to be in gear to reproduce the noise, I suspect it's related to the transmission or the clutch. Shifting and clutch action seem normal. The engine runs smoothly and responds as it should. Oil pressure and oil/water temps are normal.

    I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this, or has any guesses.
     
  2. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido F1 Rookie
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    #2 theunissenguido, Jun 24, 2021
    What side of the engine ? It can be a bearing of the gearbox transmission, driving gear, intermediate gear, driven gear....if it is on left side, looking from the back side of the car.

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  3. Dave Bertrand

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    #3 Dave Bertrand, Jun 24, 2021
    It definitely seems to be coming from the right side, and yes it does sound very much like bearing noise.
     
  4. 308 milano

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    #4 308 milano, Jun 24, 2021
  5. Steve Magnusson

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    #5 Steve Magnusson, Jun 24, 2021
    But doesn't change with RPM? More like something (non-rotating) vibrating at its natural frequency IMO.
     
  6. Dave Bertrand

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    #6 Dave Bertrand, Jun 24, 2021
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  7. Dave Bertrand

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    #7 Dave Bertrand, Jun 25, 2021
    It's hard to guess what might be making the sound, but no it doesn't change with RPM. Pitch and volume stay the same as RPM increases. It only happens during acceleration, and not when revving the engine while in neutral. Just when it's in gear. That's why I'm assuming it's related to the transmission or clutch. Or maybe the differential?

    Next time I take it out I'll see if I can catch the noise in a cell phone video and post it up.
     
  8. mike996

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    #8 mike996, Jun 25, 2021
    Typically, one would expect that any sort of bearing noise would change in pitch/volume as the RPM changes. Could you record the sound/post it?
     
  9. Dave Bertrand

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    #9 Dave Bertrand, Jun 25, 2021
    I'll try to get a recording today if I can. I agree, it doesn't really act like bearing noise, but it's the same type of noise. Like a loud hiss with a little whistling thrown in. Stay tuned.
     
  10. Brian Harper

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    #10 Brian Harper, Jun 25, 2021
    Do the 328s ever have the muffler whistle? Or is that just older 308s?
     
  11. Jonny Law

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    #11 Jonny Law, Jun 25, 2021
    If it is only under acceleration and not engine revving, I'm thinking wheel bearing.
     
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  12. Dave Bertrand

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    #12 Dave Bertrand, Jun 25, 2021
    Yes, I wouldn't rule that out. But if it's a wheel bearing why does it go away the instant I let off the gas? I've had cars with worn wheel bearings (front ones) and they made the noise all the time, especially when turning.

    Out of curiosity, how many miles do 328 front and rear bearings typically last? My car has 42k miles on it and I suspect it's still got the original bearings.
     
  13. thorn

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    #13 thorn, Jun 25, 2021
    A bad wheel bearing will make noise even if the car is in neutral and coasting, or if you rotate the wheel on the car while on a lift.
     
  14. Jonny Law

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    #14 Jonny Law, Jun 25, 2021
    It would no longer be under load, but a video would narrow down the possibilities.
     
  15. Stenley

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    #15 Stenley, Jun 26, 2021
    I have a 89 328 that had the muffler whine. There are some great threads here on how to easily fix it by inserting some rolled metal inserts into the exhaust tips.


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  16. Dave Bertrand

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    #16 Dave Bertrand, Jun 29, 2021
    Okay, I finally got the car out and took a cell phone video and uploaded it to Youtube:



    It may be difficult to hear over laptop speakers, but it's easily heard if you have headphones. I repeatedly got on and off the gas to produce the noise, so you'll hear it when I accelerate. It seems to be most noticeable starting about 12 seconds in.

    Despite what I said earlier, I think it does go up in volume a little as the car goes faster, but pitch remains the same.
     
  17. Stenley

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    #17 Stenley, Jun 29, 2021
    That definitely sounds like the exhaust whistle to my ears. Mine had it and it’s a $40 fix. Search the thread entitled “dreaded 308 exhaust whistle” (sorry I dont know how to link to it here), you just buy some stainless steel and roll it up into each exhaust tip. Voila.


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  18. flash32

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    #18 flash32, Jun 29, 2021
    Noises are so hard to identify but could it be a valve lash issue.. ..again so hard and most likely not that but it does sound like one of the ohc V6 cars i have with a sticky tappet

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  19. Dave Bertrand

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    #19 Dave Bertrand, Jun 30, 2021
    If it were in the exhaust, wouldn't I hear it when revving the engine in neutral? As I mentioned earlier, it only makes noise when the car is being driven. To me that suggests either transmission, differential, axles or wheel hubs. I don't see how it can be anything related to intake/engine/exhaust, but I have little experience with these cars. I'm going to take the car to Dave Helms at Scuderia Rampante and see if he can figure it out.
     
  20. Stenley

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    #20 Stenley, Jun 30, 2021
    Seems crazy but mine did the same thing. Only made the noise while moving. Its the simplest thing to try and costs $40 - may as well try it before spending $$$. I think that thread I mentioned even has some suggestions to test it out before fabricating the steel pieces. And I have no knowledge of these cars either, everything I know comes from the guys here. This community is amazing and are life (well, wallet) savers.


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  21. ginoBBi512

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    #21 ginoBBi512, Jun 30, 2021
    Try using a K & N air filter and see if that eliminates the noise, it sounds like an intake whistle, its not a bearing noise from listening to the video

    Thank you
     
  22. Dave Bertrand

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    #22 Dave Bertrand, Jun 30, 2021
    Yeah, if it's easy and cheap I may as well try it. I'll see if I can locate the thread.

    I don't have a K&N, but I'll remove the UFI and go for a drive to see if there's a change.
     
  23. BLACK HORSE

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    #23 BLACK HORSE, Jun 30, 2021
    To identify noises, putting the car on a dyno machine is a good idea since you can get the car up to speed and start probing around the engine bay! ... know of a shop that can help you out?
     
  24. Jonny Law

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    #24 Jonny Law, Jun 30, 2021
    I agree. I'm leaning more towards the exhaust at this point.

    I suspect because the car is under load it will change the sound. Do you still have the air pump system on it? If it has been removed, were the holes on the cylinder head plugged?
     
  25. Stenley

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    #25 Stenley, Jun 30, 2021
    Here is one of the threads. https://ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/the-dreaded-308-exhaust-whistle.403053/

    The second page on that thread gets to the types of steel to use and the exact how to's. I'm not a handy guy, found a metal fabricator in north hollywood, paid them $40 to cut 4 pieces of steel, took them home, rolled them myself using a baseball bat or mop handle and then just inserted them into the exhaust tips. That was 3000 miles ago and its still working great. Good luck, but if i could do it, anyone can :)
     
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