yea i just bought a used 08 malibu and it makes a whistling noise, kinda like a tea kettle first starting to whistle, and it doesnt get louder, but definitely sounds like something is allowing air to get through to cause the whistle? I don't know other than that it runs great to me.
High Pitched Squeal/Whistle During Acceleration
Hi Everyone,
I've been reviewing this board for some time now see if someone else has this problem. I bought my 2009 LTZ 4cycl in mid March. Almost imediately I noticed a high pitched squealling noise appearing around 2500-3000rpms everytime I accelerated from a stop. I heard it in gears 1-3 and possibly 4.
So I brought the car back to the dealer at only 380 miles. They told me that they were having trouble hearing it and that something might be breaking in. So I left, knowing that I was still under warranty and drove the car to 1300 miles until I brought it back to the dealer. Now the noise was louder anf I had gotten pretty good at reapeating it at this point. They took the car and tried to figure it out. The service center replaced the flex joint on the exhaust but the noise was still there. They did numerous tests and tried to repeat the noise on a lift but unfortunately it only happens when the engine is loaded (wheel torque).
They kept my car for a week. On the 7th day they had a GM factory rep take the car for a spin. He said that the noise was "not a problem b/c it didn't sound mechanical. Probably in the exhaust somewhere". This upset me greatly b/c there is not a single person who hasn't noticed this sound when riding in my car. The sound it some sort of vibrating part which seems to resonate at the mentioned rpms. It is SO ANNOYING! It sounds very similar to the noise breaks make when they wear down.
The rep said that he wanted me to drive the car until the first oil change and then have a GM field engineer check it out in 3 weeks. So, I still have the car... and I love it minus this noise! Imagine hearing nails on a chalk board everytime you accelerated from a stop.
Does anyone have suggestions? Is this a lemon? I really appreciate any feedback.
I've been reviewing this board for some time now see if someone else has this problem. I bought my 2009 LTZ 4cycl in mid March. Almost imediately I noticed a high pitched squealling noise appearing around 2500-3000rpms everytime I accelerated from a stop. I heard it in gears 1-3 and possibly 4.
So I brought the car back to the dealer at only 380 miles. They told me that they were having trouble hearing it and that something might be breaking in. So I left, knowing that I was still under warranty and drove the car to 1300 miles until I brought it back to the dealer. Now the noise was louder anf I had gotten pretty good at reapeating it at this point. They took the car and tried to figure it out. The service center replaced the flex joint on the exhaust but the noise was still there. They did numerous tests and tried to repeat the noise on a lift but unfortunately it only happens when the engine is loaded (wheel torque).
They kept my car for a week. On the 7th day they had a GM factory rep take the car for a spin. He said that the noise was "not a problem b/c it didn't sound mechanical. Probably in the exhaust somewhere". This upset me greatly b/c there is not a single person who hasn't noticed this sound when riding in my car. The sound it some sort of vibrating part which seems to resonate at the mentioned rpms. It is SO ANNOYING! It sounds very similar to the noise breaks make when they wear down.
The rep said that he wanted me to drive the car until the first oil change and then have a GM field engineer check it out in 3 weeks. So, I still have the car... and I love it minus this noise! Imagine hearing nails on a chalk board everytime you accelerated from a stop.
Does anyone have suggestions? Is this a lemon? I really appreciate any feedback.
21 - 24 of 24 Posts
I have the same problem with my 2001 Malibu. I had my mechanic change the alternator, because the sound sounded like it was coming off of the bearing. Changed it, same sound. Changed the tensioner, serpentine belt, same sound. He is baffled. The sound sounds like someone setting off bottle rockets on the 4th of July. I can't take this noise anymore.
I just wanted to put in my current conundrum to this thread. I just installed a pair of cats on an 08 malibu because the internals were completely missing on one. The car never whistled before. After installing new ones it started making the noise. I checked for vacuum leaks thinking I might have accidentally undid one while wrestling with backside cat. I have an idea for doing a pressure test. But darn I don't wanna take em back off🤬
The guts from the blown-out cat are now probably lodged in the muffler so that's why you are hearing a whistle. No way to check it without destroying the muffler or at least pulling it off and giving it the shake test to hear anything loose rattling around in it.I just wanted to put in my current conundrum to this thread. I just installed a pair of cats on an 08 malibu because the internals were completely missing on one. The car never whistled before. After installing new ones it started making the noise. I checked for vacuum leaks thinking I might have accidentally undid one while wrestling with backside cat. I have an idea for doing a pressure test. But darn I don't wanna take em back off🤬
21 - 24 of 24 Posts
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