2009 Vibe GT strange engine vibration and sound (not rough idling), 2.4L Auto.

[Gizmobiaritz]

Hello,I have 2009 Vibe GT (2.4L, Automatic) with 50,000 kilometers. I purchased the car new and since new the oil used was Synthetic Castrol GTX . The car is stock without any modifications on it. All the 50,000 kilometers are highway.Today I noticed that while the car is parked (in park) and the engine is idling I feel a reoccurring vibration in the steering ( vibration_____pause____vibration____pause). Along the vibration there is a sound; it sounds like an object touching something, and when these 2 objects touch the vibration occurs. It is not a clanking or a metallic sound.It is very similar to the vibrating ring of a cellular phone. It vibrates then it pauses and then vibrates again.I have increased the load on the alternator to see if the vibration goes away but it does not.Any ideas to what this may be ?UPDATE1.When the engine is cold and I turn on the car, everything is perfect, no noise no vibration.2.If I drive the car at 100 Kph for 15 minutes and I park it and put it in N, I get only the sound – now the sound sounds like a minute rattling. It is coming from the middle of the engine around the exhaust manifold. However the sound does not match the idling of the engine, it is a different frequency.3.If I drive the car for about 2 hours at 100 kph and the engine is really hot then I get the sound and the vibration in the steering wheel while in park.Thank you in advance.

[star_deceiver]

How's the condition of the ATF? Might be a good time to drain/refill!

[Gizmobiaritz]

Hello,Do you think the torque converter is causind the vibration? I have not checked the fluid because the car is 12 month old. However I will look at it tomorrow.Can worn out fluid cause the vibration?Thank you.

[star_deceiver]

How long has it been doing this?Quote, originally posted by Gizmobiaritz »Do you think the torque converter is causing the vibration? I doubt it or else you'd feel said vibration constantly no matter what gear you were in. Worn out fluid, probably not. Low fluid, yes.

[Old Tele man]

2009 has electric power steering...could be motor-stutter?

[Gizmobiaritz]

Hello,The vibration is defiantly coming from the engine. You can just feel it in the steering wheel while the car is idling and the vibration matches the hum sound the is emanated every time I feel the vibration.Could it be from the transmission as it still rotates while in park ?Could it be from the distribution chain or would it be very loud ?What about a serpentine belt ?If I move the steering, turn on / off the headlights (low – hi), turn on/off defrost, turn on/off AC, turn on/off wipers, turn on/of radio the vibration and hum noise are still there at the same frequency.I noticed the vibration yestorday for the first time.Thank you.

[Gizmobiaritz]

Update – 1. When the engine is cold and I turn on the car, everything is perfect, no noise no vibration.2. If I drive the car at 100 Kph for 15 minutes and I park it and put it in N, I get only the sound – now the sound sounds like a minute rattling. It is coming from the middle of the engine around the exhaust manifold. However the sound does not match the idling of the engine, it is a different frequency.3. If I drive the car for about 2 hours at 100 kph and the engine is really hot then I get the sound and the vibration in the steering wheel while in park.Thank you.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by Gizmobiaritz »If I move the steering, turn on / off the headlights (low – hi), turn on/off defrost, turn on/off AC, turn on/off wipers, turn on/of radio the vibration and hum noise are still there at the same frequency.High electical usage, the revs probably drop a bit due to the load. Sounds normal IMO.Does the engine idle at the same rpm in park and neutral and have you noticed any changes in the idle rpm?

[Gizmobiaritz]

Hello,In idle and N the RPM range is normal, however when the noise / vibration stars you can see the RPM needle move very very slightly only when I feel the vibration or hear the noise. The noise is Noise___Pause___Noise_____Pause. Thank you.

[star_deceiver]

Run some injector cleaner through it, change the air filter, ect.But it's still under warranty, so if it gets any worse just take it into the dealer.

[Gizmobiaritz]

Hello,Thank you for your help.