Loud noise the faster the vehicle goes the louder it gets

Tiny
JONDOE50246
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 214,555 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above that runs great. I have only had minor issues with it that I believe have been from neglect from the past owner which I have fixed on my own to save money. Lately for the past 2 weeks it started making a whining noise that has turned into a loud airplane noise and the faster the vehicle goes the louder it gets but no vibration. I have changed hubs power steering pump 2 pulley's, both CV shafts, water pump and fan clutch. Checked the u joints and I am out of ideas. I was told it could be a number of things. I am just hoping it's not the transmission or other things I don't know how to fix. Can someone steer me in the right direction please? Also there is no power loss, bad fuel mileage etc.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 12:43 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,577 POSTS
Could you make a recording of the noise and post it on here? That would be helpful. How about if you drive down the road, at a steady speed where you hear the noise, then shift into neutral but keep the engine rpm's the same? Now do the same test but let the engine drop to an idle. What does the sound do now? Next drive it and manually shift it from low gear up to drive, keep the vehicle at close to the same speeds if possible. What does the noise do then? What type of tires does it have on it and are they wearing evenly? Does the sound change if you drive on pavement or dirt or concrete? This should help isolate if the noise is from the transmission, engine or driveline.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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The sound doesn't start until 20 mph and it's the same no matter what I drive on tires are all terrain and half tread. No signs of uneven wear no problems shifting. Although I have noticed it's a sometimes noise and doesn't do it until it has warmed up. I could go to the store now and it could be gone and later it's back again. I'm stumped. It also doesn't make the sound at idle.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 1:18 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, with the sound staying the same regardless of the surface it isn't tires which are a common noise problem these days. Maybe hearing it would help if possible.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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It sounds like a lawnmower or airplane what's making it hard to figure out is I can't hear it at idle or get under it at idle. To find it all I can do is listen while I drive. It is the only vehicle I have and it would really hurt if it broke down on me right now. That's why i'm so worried about it and you can't trust anyone out there these days. I have already been burned by a couple mechanics so i'm cautious about letting anyone work on it. I will keep digging I guess and hope for the best. Thank you very much.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 1:47 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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If possible upload a video or audio recording to the site? Hearing it would help. Your description sounds like a fan clutch issue but you replaced that. Try the tests I posted earlier and post the results, the speed vs engine rpm would help narrow down if it's engine or transmission, but normally a transmission issue is going to be there regardless of temperature. Likewise something like a brake or U-Joint would be there all the time. Because it takes some speed to make it act up it could be something strange like air blowing through a loose panel or around the windshield.
Do you have someone who could ride with you for a test trip? Have them move from seat to seat while it makes the noise and see where it is loudest. The engine is stock? Factory air box? Does the sound change if you are turning the steering wheel?Does the sound change if you are on the throttle and let off or does it slowly build up then down with speed only?
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 4:39 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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Okay, things I have tested on the vehicle are as follows: when I step on the brake it quiets down it doesn't change. When I turn all gears are working properly, but now my steering is getting stiffer and my battery gauge isn't reading what it normally reads, it's lower and it's starting to sound like a bird chirping. There is a slight wobble in the fan but that has always been there. It sounds like it's straining or something. I just don't no. Could it be the alternator it's only a year old? And yes the more I push on the throttle the louder it gets just like the faster I go same thing.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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I tried uploading a video but don't know if it went through or not. Sorry my phone isn't the greatest.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, I would try this test, with a cold engine, remove the drive belt. Check all of the parts the belt runs on, idlers, tensioner and accessories. Normally an accessory would make noise all the time but I've seen some where they don't do much until they were under load. Now start the engine and see if anything has changed. "And yes the more I push on the throttle the louder it gets just like the faster I go same thing" Do you mean you can get it to make the noise without the vehicle moving or does it have to be moving?
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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Okay, I changed the alternator and still it makes this darn noise. Yes it has to be moving and faster than 20 mph and warmed up. I'm frustrated I have put twice the amount of cash in this thing than I paid for it. I don't no what to do.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, if it has to be moving and warm that sort of points to something in the drive-line, like an internal bearing or ring and pinion. If you have a set of jack stands or a lift you could put it in the air enough to allow you to run it in gear and see if you can pinpoint it that way. Another option is a tool called a chassis ear. Essentially it is a set of microphones you clip to various points and listen for the noise, then move them around to narrow it down.
Or have someone ride with you and listen. Sound travels real well though so it can be hard to track from inside the vehicle.
Didn't see your video, may not be in a format the site can use.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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  • 9 POSTS
Yes, i'm afraid it's something i'm not going to be able to afford to fix. I don't no what i'm going to do. I lost my job with the Covid 19 issue and just recently got a new job. So i'm kinda stuck. Thank you for taking the time to help me I really appreciate it.
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Don't give up yet. It might be something expensive or it could be something that just hasn't been found. Noises are always difficult to track down unless they are real obvious. Once tracked down a weird howl on a car to a bent piece of metal that would catch the air sometimes and sound like a very loud moan.
Here is another odd test, find a nice straight road and shift it into and out of 4WD a few times while it is noisy, see if that changes anything.
Maybe try posting your video again. If it won't load here you could try Facebook or YouTube and see if it goes up there, then just post a link to it.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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I tried the 4 wheel drive test at stop and on the fly it wont go into auto but will go into hi and has a hard time going into low. So its beyond me now just hope it doesn't break down on me. I don't have the tools to fix that big of a project nor do I know how. So I guess in the meantime I will save my money.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 11:38 PM
Tiny
JONDOE50246
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Okay, just for the fun of it I pulled the drivers side CV shaft again just to see if I did anything wrong. I put a different shaft in and still the noise is the same. I also checked the hub which is less than 6 months old and I replaced both of them at the same time. Anyways it had a little noise to it could that be the problem? I also felt around inside the housing and couldn't feel anything wrong in there like a missing bearing or something. So I don't know. It's driving me crazy. I have to know what it is. I will check the other side tomorrow I guess.
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Monday, May 4th, 2020 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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I doubt it's the hubs as those will normally make different sounds as you steer, that is why I asked about the different speeds and noise changes. Shifting into 4X4 should eliminate it being the transfer case, the front axle and the CV joints as well as the hubs. Take a look at the air intake tube and air-box, look for cracks or splits.
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Monday, May 4th, 2020 AT 9:38 AM

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