Excessive engine noise past 2k rev.

MrFocus · 26-02-2012, 12:39 PM

I've had a fair share of issues with my Focus. One of the main concerns I have is the engine noise. I took delivery of the car at 51,000km and since it has grown and settled to what I consider excessive engine noise.

It has been looked at for other issues by 3 dealers and whilst brining it in for those problems I have mentioned excessive engine noise, the mechanics take it out and brush it off as normal. Yesterday I decided to call up a seller in car sales and test his Focus (similar mileage, same car and year) with 40,000km and it's noticeably quieter accelerating up the hills. I took mine on shortly after being in the car with him and there is a noticeable difference. I consider his car to be "normal" noise for a Focus.

I've come to the conclusion I have an exhaust leak somewhere, but I cannot find anything underneath, it looks sound. I noticed a deep droning type of noise when I increase the revs just slightly over 1000 however it disappears below 1000 and above 1100. I did this test on the other Focus and it did not make this noise. His exhaust tip is surprisingly clean, mine is black. We both have stock parts on the car, all is stock and unmodified. His engine does not make excessive noise even up to 3500 revs going up a hill, mine sounds like a beastly engine doing the same thing. Exhaust shielding is not making any contact with exhaust parts under the car so I've ruled that out.

Should I have it inspected at a reputable mechanic and take those finding back to the dealer for them to address it? They don't even want to admit there is a problem.

Yellow_Festiva · 26-02-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFocus

Should I have it inspected at a reputable mechanic and take those finding back to the dealer for them to address it? They don't even want to admit there is a problem.

What will the mechanic find... that it is noisy? You already know that. Perhaps look at getting some sort of sound / DB test, yours and another identical model and specs tested on the same day during the same conditions. May cost you a bit, and you will need to find the other car.

Does the dealer have similar cars to yours in the lot? Perhaps a road test of both cars to see if you both hear the difference?

My Festiva had a similar problem and it turned out to be the rear berrings on 1 side. The drone that is, not the sooty exhaust.

In Focus · 26-02-2012, 01:16 PM

Maybe have an exhaust specialist, rather than a general mechanic, check it out.

MrFocus · 26-02-2012, 01:17 PM

Well, I was hoping it was something simple as an exhaust leak, that's what I was hoping an exhaust specialist would find.

Is that bearing located on the rear of the engine where the manifold and gaskets join up?

I've tried all dealers I can think of in the Sydney Region and all of them don't have any '09 models used.

Yellow_Festiva · 26-02-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFocus

Well, I was hoping it was something simple as an exhaust leak, that's what I was hoping an exhaust specialist would find.

Is that bearing located on the rear of the engine where the manifold and gaskets join up?

I've tried all dealers I can think of in the Sydney Region and all of them don't have any '09 models used.

No, it was a wheel berring issue. Made a drone in the car that started at 90km/h and got louder till 110km/h. After that it vanished. Took it to my regular mechanic and he told me I was labouring the engine in my 'little Festiva' and that I should drive it in 4th....

MrFocus · 26-02-2012, 02:06 PM

Alright, I think mine is definitely coming from the tip. I have had rear engine mounts replaced by the dealer which did not change or improve the noise. I was wondering, if the mounts were bad for some time, could the excessive engine movement have caused the exhaust manifold or gasgets to crack or form a leak?

ConradP · 26-02-2012, 10:45 PM

Just another thought, it could be how the car has been run, compared to the other one you tested, he may of cleaned and taken care of and driven it more gingerly than the previous owner of yours?

JayD · 27-02-2012, 05:29 PM

It may be something as simple as pinging due to fuel. Was the other car you drove using standard fuel or high octane??

XR Martin · 02-03-2012, 10:57 PM

I drove a Camry a little while ago that was noticably louder than other ones that ive driven, traced it to the rubber grommet around the steering shaft not being fitted properly. The car was only 6 months old so was probably like that since new.

Might be worth having a look under the dash for something similar.