Whistling noise when accelerating

1999 NISSAN ALTIMA
170,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GERO760
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  • 3 POSTS
When accelerating makes a whistling type of noise.
Aug 21, 2020 at 7:13 PM
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KASEKENNY
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More then likely this is a vacuum leak. Here is a guide that runs through the most common causes of this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-whistling-noise

The one thing we need to clarify is if you are accelerating and it makes the noise, do it go away as soon as you get off the pedal? If so, I am sure you have a vacuum leak. If not, this could be a wind noise.

Maybe getting a recording of this will help. You can get a video and post it here. Let me know what questions you have or what you find. Thanks
Aug 21, 2020 at 7:21 PM
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GERO760
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Okay, thank you. but the noise is more of a high pitched rattling noise the occurs when accelerating but its stops sometimes when we pass 45 mph but it comes back.
Aug 21, 2020 at 8:24 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Have you noticed a loss of power or performance? Is the sound from outside the vehicle, possibly under the vehicle or the engine compartment?

When you hear it, take note if it changes with throttle pressure. For example, if you are accelerating light is it different than if you are quickly accelerating?

If there is a power loss, you may have a blockage in the exhaust, likely a catalytic converter. If you remove an oxygen sensor before the converter, you would know if that is it because the added release of air would likely stop the noise. Here are a couple links you may find of interest:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter


Let us know.

Joe
Aug 21, 2020 at 9:11 PM