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Pulsating whine from Honda CR-V?

Here's a strange one:

1998 Honda CR-V, automatic, 170'000mi. Over the course of the last 6 months this has happened 4 or 5 times and it always lasts a few miles and then goes away for awhile: there is a medium-pitched pulsating whine from the engine bay while the car is moving, which changes pitch with the speed of the car (getting lower when I slow down). It gets worse when under load, but this happens while accelerating, decelerating, in all gears, coasting in neutral, the only time it stops is when I'm stopped. I've had the CV joints and rear engine mount replaced and the transmission oil changed and it still does it. I'm thinking something in the transmission is popping in and out of alignment: could it be a gear?

Any direction would be great, so I know where to start next - I thought it was the CV joint worn out but apparently not. Thanks!

Update:

I should emphasize that this is a pulsating noise - it fades in and out consistently like only part of the travel is affected

Update 2:

The pulsation is very similar to this sound -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZBR9RDk1Y

Definitely not a tire/road noise issue as it sounds mechanical

2 Answers

Relevance
  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    this problem happens a lot with CR-Vs the differentials have this inherent problem. Make sure the differential fluids are topped off or changed. That most likely will fix the problem. Also put tire pressure between 28-30 psi to lower road noise. Do your tires have enough tread as well? they may need to be replaced because sometimes they will cause noises.

    I looked some stuff up to diagnose whining problems:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/whining-noise-when-...

    You can get all those checked except for the natural resonance idea because this problem only started recently.

    It could also be the steering pump as you rev the engine up.

    Best of luck.

    Edit:

    Now that I know what sounds like its not the cv joints, most likely its something in the differential or bearings because the cv joints were replaced, unless they did some incorrect installations on those new cv joints in which case take it back to garage to get it diagnosed and go to different garages to make sure there diagnosis and prices corroborate.

    Best of luck

  • 300zx
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    have you had your hub bearing checked? they maybe running dry (out of grease) check these first as they tend to be neglected until there is an issue with them also check for any loose items under the hood then go into the mechanical aspect of it such as engine knock or tranny issues but sounds to me like a wheel hub bearing

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