ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006) Forum for all 1990 - 2006 ES300 and ES330 models. ES250 topics go here as well.

Front End Noise SOLVED

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-13, 11:45 AM
  #16  
Hayk
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Hayk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,100
Received 291 Likes on 230 Posts
Default

Quick Update: Went in for an alignment and asked the mechanic to go for a ride with me. He found a noise in the exhaust. It's actually coming from inside the catalytic converter. He believes that the honey comb is breaking apart and causing a rattle - makes sense. The car is running perfectly otherwise.

p.s.: They were a bit concerned by how tight the clearances are on my front and rear Whiteline swaybars, haha. Luckily, there are no issues from them.

Last edited by Hayk; 07-06-13 at 10:33 PM.
Old 06-16-13, 09:23 PM
  #17  
juvenchan
Driver
 
juvenchan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have the same noise, but only when i am driving the car (5-40ish mph), not while the car is fully stopped.

Is it the same thing?
Old 06-18-13, 06:48 AM
  #18  
Hayk
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Hayk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,100
Received 291 Likes on 230 Posts
Default

Another update: replacing the catalytic converter did not solve the problem. The rattle persists. I believe it's the strut mounts.

Last edited by Hayk; 07-02-13 at 01:41 PM.
Old 07-02-13, 01:34 PM
  #19  
Hayk
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Hayk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,100
Received 291 Likes on 230 Posts
Default

Final Update: I have found the source of my troubles! It was the front hood latch, all this time!



Ghetto, but it works. Not really sure how to permanently fix it. I can't believe that after spending so much time and money, the problem was literally right in front of me. Oh well, lesson learnt.

Some history about the car: The previous owner hit a deer, which destroyed the driver side headlight. I think that maybe the hood got misaligned due to the impact.

Last edited by Hayk; 07-02-13 at 01:43 PM.
Old 07-06-13, 08:46 PM
  #20  
Hayk
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Hayk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,100
Received 291 Likes on 230 Posts
Default

Quick little update: The noise came back, and I feared that I misdiagnosed the problem. Turns out that the zip ties have stretched and were letting the hood have the same amount of play as when I didn't have them. I removed the zip ties and found a more permanent fix. Adjusting the rubber bumpers has eliminated the rattle.

Old 07-08-13, 12:40 PM
  #21  
Druvius
Driver School Candidate
 
Druvius's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NY
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by MrBooby
Quick little update: The noise came back, and I feared that I misdiagnosed the problem. Turns out that the zip ties have stretched and were letting the hood have the same amount of play as when I didn't have them. I removed the zip ties and found a more permanent fix. Adjusting the rubber bumpers has eliminated the rattle.

Hey,

Glad you put that puppy to bed! Nice to hear that someone resolved an issue that was haunting them for some time. Thanks for the updates/follow through.
Old 07-08-13, 01:16 PM
  #22  
Hayk
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Hayk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,100
Received 291 Likes on 230 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Druvius
Hey,

Glad you put that puppy to bed! Nice to hear that someone resolved an issue that was haunting them for some time. Thanks for the updates/follow through.
Thank you. I saw a thread on here of somebody selling their ES because of a similar issue that drove them insane, and I didn't want to be that guy. I hope it will help out others, who might be having the same problem.

I think the biggest issue is that when you think of a front end noise, you immediately think that it has to be coming from the suspension. That's why I wasted so much time looking at everything, but the hood itself. And I have to admit that I did notice the issue with the hood latch, when I first recorded that sound clip, I just thought nothing of it, because my mind was focused on other areas.

Last edited by Hayk; 07-08-13 at 01:20 PM.
Old 11-06-13, 12:31 PM
  #23  
juvenchan
Driver
 
juvenchan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MrBooby
Quick little update: The noise came back, and I feared that I misdiagnosed the problem. Turns out that the zip ties have stretched and were letting the hood have the same amount of play as when I didn't have them. I removed the zip ties and found a more permanent fix. Adjusting the rubber bumpers has eliminated the rattle.

Hi,

My front end noise is really bugging me, made me want to sell the car.

I believe my noise situation is similar (MAYBE) to yours.
Becuz i got an accident before, I replaced the hood with an OEM one, and the 53205 part, see below)




I kinda adjust the rubber bumpers, but seems like its not helping much, not sure if I adjusted it correctly or its not that problem at all. **(I don't have the cover on the 53205 part, only 2 rubber bumpers)

When I drive on the freeway, i can see the hood vibrating (looks like the hood is not firmly locked), not sure if yours is like that before you adjust the rubber bumpers.

Sorry for the poor English!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stephwin
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
0
09-21-12 08:40 AM
240sx
SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)
2
09-07-10 11:51 AM
erinb007
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
11
06-25-04 04:42 PM



Quick Reply: Front End Noise SOLVED



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:21 PM.