Buzz at certain RPM only when in drive...

[michaelj1978]

05 Base 5-speed. 80K, Bought it at 45K and still had the problem. Thought it was a bolt or heat shield but still can't find what is causing the buzz. If I tap my hand on the header heat shield it makes that same noise around 2,800rpm. Hard to describe the sound but it's definitely annoying (GF has a vibe too with no noises), especially when in 3rd gear and running it up or down in that rpm range.

[metso5]

dude i got the same thing and my heat shield and exhaust is fine,,i replaced the serpentine belt thinking it was squeeling but nope no luck,,let me know what happens and mine happens at 2800 rpm also,,very weird

[michaelj1978]

found the problem. one bolt on a heat shield was missing. underneath the header under the car one of 2 top bolts was gone. replaced it with a similar one and no problem... can't believe after 40k frustrating miles (40K at purchase) 80k total, I put up with this annoying buzz....

[Lysander]

Man that is uncanny, I just fixed the same problem on my wife's vibe. Had a nasty buzz at 2800rpm or so, found a missing bolt on the top / passenger side of the exhaust manifold heat shield. I wonder if the factory workers 'lose' them because they're tough to install?

[Bedlam]

i gotta check mine now. I have this exact issue with 93k on the clock of my 5-spd. I had the same issue on my 07 5 spd for the last 50k miles i owned it. This will blow my mind if it is such a simple fix.

[michaelj1978]

i can't believe i went this many miles wondering (removed) was making all this buzz. it's almost like it's a new car again and i don't worry about it.

[metso5]

can we get a pic please of this infamous broken/loose bolt location

[michaelj1978]

don't have time to jack it up and snap one, but if you get under the car there is a heat shield on the under side of the header and there are 4 bolts that attach it. 2 are spread out(towards the engine)and 2 are close together(towards the cat). Mine was the passenger side spread out bolt that was WAY up there and hard to reach. I put locktite on the new bolt and hopefully it won't work its way loose. I still am banging my head that I drove the car for so long with that annoyance and couldn't find it until i spent an hour with the car jacked up checking every bolt and fitting.

[metso5]

is that the same one thats visible from the top of the motor,,wouldnt just propping open the hood be a lot easier than underneath or am i stll not getting it?sorry dude but i have the exact same problem and want it figured out

[michaelj1978]

no, it's WAY under there. Need a long wrench or ratchet. It's the header heat shield on the UNDER side of the car. Very tough to get to.

[metso5]

well i finally got it fixed and it was the damn donut seal---seals from header to exhaust pipe flange before the cat----its sooooooooooo quiet now===like a new car and my gas mileage got better