Strange Idling Noise When Stopped At Lights

[=CPV35=]

Hi guys, just wanted to know if this is normal...

Yesterday I realised there was a strange sound coming from the drivers side steering column above the dash...sounds like a helicopter when im in D or P.

the sound is quite annoying, I first thought it was the exhaust sound of the wrx in front of me...but then I realised it's coming from my car when I got home....sounds like a helicopter, not too loud but noticeable....my idles are normal no rough idling etc...just got this noise...

anyone else experienced this?

thanks

[jbenj]

Time for transformer badge on your car Lolz

Sorry got no idea anyone else chime in on this

[t5iv]

Have you checked plugs?

[=CPV35=]

don't think it's the spark plugs...because my idle is fine and I never stall...it's just the noise that's driving me crazy

I read some where it might be a "FUEL DAMPER" ....anyone else have this issue before?

[sonicii]

There isn't really anything engine related 'above the dash'. Are you sure it isn't just something rattling?

[=CPV35=]

it's coming from behind the dash steering wheel side, you can only hear it when your inside the car, not from outside and even not when I open the bonnet... anyone got this?

[AlexanderWilde]

Id Say check your belts for tears if loose. power stearing is on one of them. you dont want to have the big one snap while your driving. aside from that just get somone outside to listen to it since you have it on while in Park as well. the V35's are notorious for directing external road and engine noises to the interiour so it may sound to you inside or behind dash but may actualy be in the engine compartment.

and check if the noise is there with aircon on and off as it can even bee a leaf stuck in teh airvents. seen that one before as well.

[=CPV35=]

Hi AlexanderWilde,

The belts are all fine I checked them, It's funny because when I open the hood, I can't hear anything at all - no rattles, creaks, rumbles...nothing. As soon as I close the doors and sit inside the car, it sounds like a helicopter in my drivers seat, kind of like what a diesel engine sounds like....tu tu tu tu tu tu. First I thought it was the "fuel damper" which I heard is quite a common problem with our cars so I'm surprised no one else had this sound before...

I took it to the mechanics today....he reckons I got a exhaust leak somewhere but gotta investigate further by lifting the car up...so I left the car with him...will keep updated once I fix this problem!!

[sonicii]

Haven't heard of the 'fuel damper' problem before..

Exhaust leaks tend to get louder when the engine is under load, like when accelerating.

[=CPV35=]

funny enough as I'm accelerating the noise isn't really obvious. It is the worst when the car has warmed up and sitting in idle or stopped at the lights.

here are some articles regarding the fuel damper issue...there was even a RECALL affecting g35's 2003 to 2006 models in the states....

http://g35driver.com/forums/general-tech-questions/316273-vibration-comming-fuel-line.html

http://g35driver.com/forums/engine-drivetrain-forced-induction/401427-03-g35-fuel-pressure-damper-help.html

[=CPV35=]

cold start...can't hear the noise at all.....only when the car's warmed up it sounds like a diesel....

Don't know why my mechanic says it's a exhaust leak when the second article I posted above is exactly the same problem I'm having,....

[sonicii]

Cool.. thanks for the info, the description sounds like what you have described.

Where did you get the info on the recall? there seems to be a metion of a TSB in the above links, but not a recall.

[=CPV35=]

this is an article referring to the TSB: http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-sedan-v35-2003-06/248944-fuel-damper-replacement-tsbitb06-012-a.html

As for the TSB, I have a pdf of it on my work computer...will link it for you tomorrow, basically it affects our VQ35DE engines..pretty common problem in the states

Also I am picking my car up from the mechanic tommorrow arvo....will see what he says, although I'm 99% sure it is the fuel damper and not a exhaust leak...

[sonicii]

^^ ah.. yes I have a copy of the TSB, was just wondering if there was a recall as you mentioned..

There are probably hundreds of TSBs, but recalls are fairly rare, and usually only done for safety issues.

[=CPV35=]

^^ ah.. yes I have a copy of the TSB, was just wondering if there was a recall as you mentioned..

There are probably hundreds of TSBs, but recalls are fairly rare, and usually only done for safety issues.

Hey mate, just letting you know and everyone else who is interested... Well I took my car to the mechanics and straight away he told me its a bad fuel damper because he placed his hand on the fuel feed line and it was pulsating the same rhythm as the noise heard in cabin.... So replaced it and the sound is gone!!

Anyone who has this problem in future please check you fuel dampers !

Cheers

[AsM]

Had the same problem but it actually settled down on its own in mine, i think when these cars are not used for a while they tend to start making them noises..........