Frustrating Mystery Noise!!

[feel the vibe]

Hi There,I have a 2009 Vibe. 1.8L and Standard. I took my Vibe in for recall service to the dealership that I bought it from. I then took a trip out of town. While driving home, we noticed a strange noise that happened only when I put my foot on the accelerator. It is a noise that is very hard to describe, and when I told the dealership about it, they looked at me like I was crazy.It honestly sounds like a hissing/gasping for air noise that happens only when I accelerate in any gear. I tend to really hear it when I put it into second and am driving fairly slow (between 20 - 50 km/hr). If I roll the windows down, I especially hear it. I AM SO FRUSTRATED and have reached my wits end. I took it to the dealership, the 'service manager' went for a drive with me. He and his 'team' looked it over and couldn't find anything wrong with it. He told me to come back if it got worse. It has never really got worse, just blood annoying to me. So I took it back three months later. I booked an appointment and left it for the day. The written report said there was 'no noise heard' when they took it for a drive. Completely dissatisfied, I complained that they didn't even acknowledge the noise. The 'service manger' then came for a drive with me. I know that he heard the noise, and upon arrival, he told me that 'I had nothing to worry about here'. AM I CRAZY or something? I obviously don't know much about cars, but they refused to recognize in writing that there was a noise. The noise is clearly driving me crazy. I am going to take it to another dealership but was wondering if anyone else has experienced any problems such as this or has any insight as to what I might be looking for?Thanks. JB

[epcIII]

Sorry, I can't think of what it might be, but I do think it's a good idea to go elsewhere.

[trask]

Maybe the air box for the air filter not secured correctly,leaking?

[djkeev]

Ok, this shouldn't be hard.1. You took it in for a recall. I assume the noise was NOT there when you took it in?2. What was the recall for?3. In doing the recall they had to remove and reinstall certain parts.4. IF the noise is now there after these certain parts were removed, reinstalled or replaced, THAT is where the noise is.Find out what the recall was. Ask for and DEMAND a copy of the recall work procedure. Look it over carefully as you look at the spot of the car worked on and you'll probably zero in on what the noise is.My guess knowing auto "technician's" as I do (well documented in previous posts) is that someone F'ed up and did something wrong. The dealer is unaware of this and /or is covering their own (removed).Don't make too loud of a scream till you get that recall procedure info and figure out what they worked on and can this possibly be your noise.On the other hand....... customers are sometimes "NUTS" and tend to over examine, over listen to, over critique their car upon return from any service. For example, changed the oil (that's all) and now the shocks are bad so it's the shops fault. This list could go on and on and on and on about nutty customers who live to make a mechanics life a living hell.It isn't always the shopIt isn't always the mechanicIt isn't always the owner But it is ALWAYS one of them.Dave

[A Psycho Martyr]

is it a low whistle for like half a second then it goes away?

[star_deceiver]

Sounds similar to belt squeal except higher pitched or a pulsating whistling, makes this noise only during certain types of acceleration, sounds like it's coming from the front left side of the car.I havn't narrowed down exactly where this sound is coming from but here's what I've found.Makes the noise between 11 and 9 vacuum, makes the noise at any rpm from 1500 to redline and any speed in any gear or neutral when the vacuum is kept between 11 and 9. I'm thinking that it's coming from the throttle body or an air leak between the TB and the beginning of the air intake hose. Other then the annoying noise there's no diffrence in drivability.Welcome to GenVibe BTW!!!

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Sounds similar to belt squeal except higher pitched or a pulsating whistling, makes this noise only during certain types of acceleration, sounds like it's coming from the front left side of the car.I havn't narrowed down exactly where this sound is coming from but here's what I've found.Makes the noise between 11 and 9 vacuum, makes the noise at any rpm from 1500 to redline and any speed in any gear or neutral when the vacuum is kept between 11 and 9. I'm thinking that it's coming from the throttle body or an air leak between the TB and the beginning of the air intake hose. Other then the annoying noise there's no diffrence in drivability.Welcome to GenVibe BTW!!! Again, WHAT did they do to your car? What was the recall?? Give us some very basic information to build upon please.Dave

[feel the vibe]

Hey Everyone!Thanks for all the awesome feedback. I ended up calling GM (main customer service number) and I was able to get some help from them. They reassurred me that I should not have been treated the way that I was at the dealership. I ended up taking my car to a dealership out of town, where I work. I mentioned to the dealer that the noise had specifically started after I had taken my car in for recall work (which by the way had something to do with the throttle???). When I called back later in the day, they told me that they heard the noise themselves and did some research. Apparently I am not the only one going crazy and just TODAY, GM sent a notice to all dealerships that many Vibes that have had this recall work done on them had not been done correctly and that there had to be an adjustment made to the part that was put on the throttle or something. I clearly don't know much about what I am talking about, but I do know that it is not making the noise anymore. SO if you are out there, and you have an 09' Vibe that had the recall work done on it, make sure it was done correctly. If you are hearing a weird noise that is driving you crazy - don't let it. It is documented now and can be fixed!!! I am still frustrated with the dealership that I had been dealing with before. I will now be boycotting them as they do not provide appropriate service that should be granted. Thanks again for all the help!!JB

[BrettZ]

Good to hear its all cleared up.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Ok, this shouldn't be hard.1. You took it in for a recall. I assume the noise was NOT there when you took it in?2. What was the recall for?3. In doing the recall they had to remove and reinstall certain parts.4. IF the noise is now there after these certain parts were removed, reinstalled or replaced, THAT is where the noise is.My guess knowing auto "technician's" as I do (well documented in previous posts) is that someone F'ed up and did something wrong. The dealer is unaware of this and /or is covering their own (removed).Dave Ok, I don't toot my own horn very often but score (1) for me! Dave

[A Psycho Martyr]

haha... mad props son!