Whistle from Engine Compartment During Acceleration Over 65 MPH

Tiny
PATNO86
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 DODGE AVENGER
  • 8,400 MILES
Purchased this vehicle brand new with 23 miles; 2.4 Four Cylinder Engine. Around 400 miles I noticed a high pitched whistle when traveling on the highway during acceleration; heard around 65 MPH and stays constant during acceleration, as well as gets louder around 80 MPH. The sound disappears when I release the gas pedal all together (on rare instances the sound holds for a brief moment when I release the accelerator, but this has only happened a couple times). It seems when the gas pedal is only slightly depressed the whistle is most audible, while if I accelerate hard the whistle disappears (not sure if that is because of engine noise or not). I also notice the sound is most audible when traveling down a hill (again, I am not sure if this is because the engine noise is reduced, or I am only slightly depressing the gas pedal). I have taken the car into the local Dodge dealership where purchased and they opened a case with Chrysler as they were not able to find the sound (they did hear it). Dealership replaced the serpentine belt (did not fix issue) and confirmed the sound was not made when the A/C pump went on. At this point Dodge is stating it is a "normal" sound. I have also tried replacing the air filter with a different aftermarket air filter which did not resolve the issue. It seems to be coming from the center to the left side of the vehicle (relation to sitting in driver seat). The battery (accessed by taking off the front left tire) and the air filter are on this side, as well as what I believe to be the transmission. The sound is not made while the vehicle is in neutral sitting in my driveway (not based off RPM's), but rather only when I hit that golden 65 MPH mark.

If I can offer any further background information I would be more than happy to.

Thank you in advance for your very much appreciated support,

Tim
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 4:48 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
I have to be honest, everything you described sounds like a vacuum leak. Have they checked for that?
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
PATNO86
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Jacobandnickolas - The first time the car was in the shop the dealer stated they went through everything for 3 hours with two tech's; how much I believe that I'm really not sure. The car does not run rough and is getting the expected gas mileage.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
PATNO86
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Jacobandnickolas - Racking my brain a little more, every now and then when I first start the car (either via key or remote) the engine hesitates for a moment, sputters, and starts. I would say this has happened maybe a half dozen to a dozen times in the course of four to five months. I presumed it was because the engine was cold.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
It is an odd problem. The description lines right up with a vacuum leak. When you accelerate, vacuum is decreased from the engine. You mentioned that it stops when under a load. Then when you let off the gas, it comes back. The is when the vacuum would increase making a noise if there was a leak. I would specifically ask them if they checked for that.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
PATNO86
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  • 5 POSTS
Jacobandnickolas - the whistle is there when under load (depressing the pedal), and it disappears when I let off the pedal. I did mention the noise "seems" to subside a bit if I press the pedal to the floor, but I wasn't sure if that was because of engine noise.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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  • 3,544 POSTS
This is something that is catching the air and making the noise. Its called wind rush. Are you sure the noise in the engine compartment and not on the front end some where?
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
PATNO86
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Cadieman - thanks for the response. I don't believe it has anything to do with "wind rush". The sound goes away when I let off of the accelerator.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 5:24 PM

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