Whistling noise while car in motion

HONDA PILOT
Avatar
LHUERGAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have 2003 Honda Pilot and just recently it started making a whistling noise when I start driving 30mph or over. It sounds like it's coming from the front drivers side. The faster I go, the louder the whistle. I know it's not my brakes as I just changed them. When I open my windows it get louder but you could still hear it when they are closed. I'm stumped to what it could be. I just changed my air filter to a K&N but doubt that has anything to do with it. Pls advise.
Thank you!!
Feb 14, 2006 at 5:55 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
2CARPRO JACK
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 11,533 POSTS
The filter could do it strange as that sounds
Feb 15, 2006 at 4:55 PM
Avatar
DEE MCCARTHY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Did you ever figure out what was whistling? I have the same issue with my 2011 Pilot.
Mar 6, 2017 at 3:24 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
CJ MEDEVAC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 11,004 POSTS
If it's under the hood,

I'm going with a dirty throttle body plate. Clean both sides of the throttle plate w/ throttle body cleaner

If it's external, like a wind noise,

look for plastic aerodynamics being pulled loose, scraped up and now "ragged" on the edges. Even luggage racks make noises (especially if the adjusters are loose)

Sometimes it's quick and and fast find a wind problem (like a mirror or trim or other) BY CHANGING IT'S SHAPE, even slightly. Achieve this by slapping a few inches of that "Green or Blue Painters masking off tape over the suspect area, then see if it goes away or changes at all.

Return with good news,

The Medic
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Mar 6, 2017 at 5:59 PM
Avatar
DEE MCCARTHY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It sounds like it's coming from underneath the car. It only happens after the car has been driven for 20+ minutes. If I drive after the car has been sitting a length of time it makes no sound. The whistling begins around 30 mph. My husband taped a few pieces together underneath the car but it still whistles.
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:07 PM
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 34,306 POSTS
Tie up the radiator fan so it can't spin in the wind. If the noise is gone, replace the fan motor. The clue is the noise will stop before the car comes to a complete stop. Also, it never occurs when increasing the engine's speed when the car is standing still.
Mar 9, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Avatar
DEE MCCARTHY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I took my Pilot to Honda today. After two test drives, a good look over, and me insisting they put the car up on the lift and hit the gas, they discovered the sound is due to a bad drive shaft/center support bearing. It is no longer under warranty but because I brought it to them before the warranty was up and they couldn't figure out what was wrong, they are taking care of it for me.
Mar 13, 2017 at 8:43 AM
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 34,306 POSTS
Dandy. I worked for a very nice family-owned Chrysler dealership, and they had the same policy. Chrysler would cover almost anything after the warranty expired, even years later, as long as it was documented while it was still in warranty. That is an example of "customer-friendly" business practices. There are some larger manufacturers that are well-known to have very customer-unfriendly business practices. They put quick, short-term profits ahead of customer satisfaction and loyalty. I'm happy Honda isn't one of them.

Happy to hear this is solved.
Mar 13, 2017 at 6:05 PM