Moan coming during acceleration and during slowdown

This is a 1999, I guess I must have selected 2009. It is a 1999 Buick Regal GS.

Hi,

Is it loud enough that you could record the sound and upload it for me to hear?

Also, when you are driving at 40 mph, if you let off the throttle and place the vehicle in neutral, does the sound go away or continue? If it continues, then it is something within the driveline. If it stops, then it could be related to something like the AC.

Try that and let me know the results. I realize you mentioned that turning doesn't change the sound, but it does sound like a bearing issue.

I will watch for your reply.

Joe

Hi Joe, thanks for the reply.

Okay, two files attached. One while driving around 40ish, with narration when going into neutral, etc. I don't hear any difference when going to N and back to D. Another sound bite from under the hood while revving the engine manually. I don't hear the moaning that way at all. So not sure what you will hear.

You mentioned bearing, can you be more specific like wheel bearing or something else?

I can confirm there is no moaning while turning and definitely heard even while driving slow.

Let me know what other information I can provide.

Thanks.

Files. Trying again as they don't seem to be attaching to my previous messages.

Adding files doesn't seem to be working, it keeps saying uploaded with the bar going all the way across, shows 100% but never seems to finish. I have tried .mp3, .mpeg, and .wmv with no luck.

Also, transmission fluid is full and clean, oil as well.

Hi,

I'm not sure what to say. It would be helpful if I could hear it. Maybe if you start a new post it may work.

Here is the link if you want to try:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Let me know if that helps.

Joe

Okay, even the repost is doing the same thing. As well as using Firefox and Chrome browsers.

The issue uploading is that it shows that its uploaded with the moving bar showing the progress but it will bounce to 100% then down to about 60% then back to 100% and just sit there with a barber shop bar rolling (green in color) forever.

I am going to ask another person here to see if they have any ideas. I know Chrome should work for you, so I'm not sure what is going on.

Let's see what they say.

Joe

This is a 3.8L Supercharged (not Turbo).

During acceleration, the car lets out a moan that gets louder the fast you go but it's also heard as I take my foot off the gas, applying no brakes, and the moan goes down as the car comes to a stop. Turning does not make the noise louder and it does not pull left or right. It runs quite well and accelerates with power just like it did before but with a moaning that goes with it. Again, its heard when I accelerate to 40+MPH and then starts to go down when I just slow down without braking.

Just days before, I went through a puddle where the Service engine soon light came on with the ABS light. Note: The brake light never came on during this time. The code that came out was a B0363. The lights go away after the engine turns off and restarts. The light returned after the car was dry and again off after a restart. I was able to wipe the code away and it has not returned since then, now going on for four days.

Could some part have taken on water?
I am very weary of the sounds my car has been making since I bought it brand new.
Could the compressor, noise I have been hearing for a while (2+years, sounds like something rattling) when turning on heat or A/C that I distinctly hear go on/off when I turn that on, be making this moaning as it starts to malfunction?

Let me know what else I can share.

I wanted to add that the moaning sound is a deep moaning. Definitely not a whining sound. FWIW.

Hello,
The noise you are describing sounds like the noise that the supercharger makes as you accelerate, which is completely normal operation on a supercharged engine.

If you would upload a video clip of the noise, that can help us determine.

The code B0363 is a HVAC code and not related to the noise you hear.
See attached diagnostics information.

Let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

Just to note, I still cannot load an MP3 or WAV file. They are tiny in size and should be able to load. Any ideas?

Hi,

I noticed Sean hasn't gotten back to you. Have you been able to make any progress?

Joe

No. I have made no progress in trying to troubleshoot this issue.

Transmission fluid is red and full.
Oil is full, clean and there are no leaks.
The car has no fluid leaks as I park in the garage and the cement is clean and dry.

If it is a wheel bearing or transmission, it shifts fine on highway with no vibrations, how can or what can I do to troubleshoot this?

Thoughts?

In the middle of this clip, you hear a distinct sound of a moan or groan.

It's hard to hear, but I do hear something. Based on the sound and the issue with the ABS light, I have a feeling it is related to a wheel bearing in the front.

The wheel speed sensor (ABS sensor) is integral to the front hub bearing. I want you to try something. When you hear the sound, in a safe area make sharp turns, left and right. See if the sound changes pitch. If it does, pay attention to which direction makes it louder.

Also, take a look at the tires and make sure they are worn evenly. If they are feathered, they can create this type of sound.

Let me know.

Joe

I will try your suggestion but what is strange is the ABS light never returned. Nor did any other check engine light etc.

I will report back soon.

Hi,

That is interesting. Please understand that not being there to hear the sound in person makes it difficult. However, it does sound like a wheel bearing.

Try what I suggested and let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

Yea, I cannot imagine how difficult this can be to diagnose like this, but I am trying to do my best to give you all the information in the order that it happened, and in the best description that I can.

Thanks for your efforts.

Stay tuned.

Hi,

Let me know what you find. Pay attention to the sound. See if anything makes it change in pitch, volume, or anything that changes.

Take care,

Joe

Okay. So, driving it definitely sounds like it comes from the right side, but you can clearly hear it as I take my foot off the gas and let it coast down the road.

Turning the wheel either way doesn’t change pitch much, I couldn’t tell, other than as it slows down it gets quieter.

Is that helpful?

Okay, if you feel it is from the right side, see if the pitch changes or gets louder when making a left turn.

If it is a wheel bearing, at this point I feel it is, turning left changes the weight distribution of the vehicle, and more of the weight goes to the right. If it is the right bearing, that should make it louder or make the most noticeable change in pitch.

I'm sorry to ask this again, but I don't want to have you replace the bearing and it is on the opposite side. LOL Hope you understand.

Take care and let me know. Also, I hope you have a great 4th.

Joe

Hi Joe. Thanks for your help with this.

I had to take the car to the mechanic, and he did diagnose a right bearing issue. The car is now fixed and runs great.

However, this was actually secondary to another problem I was having with the car.

I had the power steering rack replaced twice on the car and before the moaning (issue with bearing) it was clicking when I turned left or right on nearly every turn. 10 months after the second rack and pinion steering were replaced, I got the moaning sound. That is when two issues came together.

It did need a bearing, but the clicking was the bushings in the power steering rack and those were replaced under warranty.

I love to work on cars but when it involves jacking up the car and needing to go underneath, it’s not for me. Besides, I didn’t own a jack or jack stands.

I would love to change my own oil, but fear keeps me from doing so. I love my car and with its low mileage I want to keep it running. Now if I can just get someone to replace the fuel and brake lines from end to end, they are the only rusted items on the bottom, I would feel pretty good on long trips. Suggestions?

Anyway, I think this one is done. I can now try and continue working on the Firebird headlight issue, also one of my questions on here.

Thanks for your help and I hope you have a great 4th.

Hi Joe. Thanks for your help on this

I had to take the car into the mechanic and he did diagnose a right bearing issue. The car is now fixed and runs great.

However, this was actually secondary to another problem I was having with the car.

I had the power steering rack replaced twice on the car and before the moaning (issue with bearing) it was clicking when I turned left or right on nearly every turn. 10 months after the second rack and pinion steering was replaced I got the moaning sound. That is when two issues came together.

It did need a bearing, but the clicking was the bushings in the power steering rack and those were replaced under warranty.

I love to work on cars but when it involves jacking up the car and needing to go underneath, it’s not for me. Besides I didn’t own a jack or jack stands.

I would love to change my own oil but fear keeps me from doing so. I love my Regal and with its low mileage I want to keep it running. Now if I can just get someone to replace the fuel and brake lines from end to end, they are the only rusted items on the bottom, I would feel pretty good on long trips. Suggestions?

Anyway, I think this one is done. I can now try and continue working on the Firebird headlight issue, also one of my questions on here.

Thanks for your help and hope you have a great 4th.

Thanks, and feel free to let us know if you plan other repairs. We'll do our best to help.

Take care,

Joe