Technical Strange Running Sound [Sound Clip Included]

[MattH2580]

I bought a Bravo not too long ago, pretty flawless with a good service history. The only issue I could find with it is a strange running sound, almost like the sound from an electric motor (unless my Bravo is an ultra rare all-electric Bravo that takes petrol anyway ).

The sound seems only linked to the actual speed of the car (i.e wheel speed), and not engine speed, engine load or gear. The testing process I went through is putting full accelerator down at low RPM in all gears to mid RPM and the gear stick doesn't vibrate at all and there are no other strange vibrations. The steering wheel doesn't vibrate at all and everything else seems fine. I've tried coasting in neutral at high speed and the sound persists, and also changing up and down gears but again there is no change in the sound pitch or volume at all and it still persists.

It starts to become noticeable around 30mph+ and gets louder with wheel speed, and sounds like it's coming from behind the dash/glovebox area. I've also tried slaloming (in a safe area at relatively low speeds for those safety conscious of you ) and that doesn't seem to effect anything so I'm guess it isn't wheel bearings (although I've definitely been wrong before!).

I've linked a sound clip below where I accelerate up to around 50-60mph, and change gears from 6th to 4th and back again regularly as well as coasting to show no difference in sound. Around half way the sound does change slightly but I can only assume this was because I must've slowed down a slight bit.

Lastly the audio was very very noisy and bassy so I've applied a high pass filter in case it sounds a bit tinny, but it really emphasises the noise. It's louder in real life and very noticeable at these speeds.

https://soundcloud.com/matth2580/bravo-running-whine

Importantly I'd like to get this diagnosed and sorted sooner rather than later as I don't want problems to develop down the line and I've also got warranty on the car at the moment if it's anything serious. I'll be taking it into a garage around Wednesday to be diagnosed and hopefully fixed before a 4 hour round trip on Saturday down the country.

 

[wizk1]

I bought a Bravo not too long ago, pretty flawless with a good service history. The only issue I could find with it is a strange running sound, almost like the sound from an electric motor (unless my Bravo is an ultra rare all-electric Bravo that takes petrol anyway ).

The sound seems only linked to the actual speed of the car (i.e wheel speed), and not engine speed, engine load or gear. The testing process I went through is putting full accelerator down at low RPM in all gears to mid RPM and the gear stick doesn't vibrate at all and there are no other strange vibrations. The steering wheel doesn't vibrate at all and everything else seems fine. I've tried coasting in neutral at high speed and the sound persists, and also changing up and down gears but again there is no change in the sound pitch or volume at all and it still persists.

It starts to become noticeable around 30mph+ and gets louder with wheel speed, and sounds like it's coming from behind the dash/glovebox area. I've also tried slaloming (in a safe area at relatively low speeds for those safety conscious of you ) and that doesn't seem to effect anything so I'm guess it isn't wheel bearings (although I've definitely been wrong before!).

I've linked a sound clip below where I accelerate up to around 50-60mph, and change gears from 6th to 4th and back again regularly as well as coasting to show no difference in sound. Around half way the sound does change slightly but I can only assume this was because I must've slowed down a slight bit.

Lastly the audio was very very noisy and bassy so I've applied a high pass filter in case it sounds a bit tinny, but it really emphasises the noise. It's louder in real life and very noticeable at these speeds.

https://soundcloud.com/matth2580/bravo-running-whine

Importantly I'd like to get this diagnosed and sorted sooner rather than later as I don't want problems to develop down the line and I've also got warranty on the car at the moment if it's anything serious. I'll be taking it into a garage around Wednesday to be diagnosed and hopefully fixed before a 4 hour round trip on Saturday down the country.

Hi Matt.

Firstly, congrats for joining the Bravo club .

I've taken the time to listen to the sound clip and it sounds similar to the issues I have also had recently, however the sound was only present when the clutch was engaged.

You mention that you initially suspected wheel bearings which have now been ruled out. I's still suggest having that potential cause ruled out properly first since this is by far the cheapest and simplest course of action.

Since you mention a 6th gear, it's quite likely your car is fitted with the notorious M32 gearbox (which is German ). This box is also fitted to a load of Vauxhall/Opel models too and has a known design flaw whereby the bearings fail, causing the whining noises you describe.



I'm by no means an expert so, however there are gearbox specialists out there who are familiar with this type of issue, so it might be worth giving them a call to describe the symptoms. I recently had mine replaced at Halifax Clutch 'n' Gearbox center (sic), and the guys there are very helpful.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[MattH2580]

Hi Matt.

Firstly, congrats for joining the Bravo club .

I've taken the time to listen to the sound clip and it sounds similar to the issues I have also had recently, however the sound was only present when the clutch was engaged.

You mention that you initially suspected wheel bearings which have now been ruled out. I's still suggest having that potential cause ruled out properly first since this is by far the cheapest and simplest course of action.

Since you mention a 6th gear, it's quite likely your car is fitted with the notorious M32 gearbox (which is German ). This box is also fitted to a load of Vauxhall/Opel models too and has a known design flaw whereby the bearings fail, causing the whining noises you describe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZI5oDaPnPY

I'm by no means an expert so, however there are gearbox specialists out there who are familiar with this type of issue, so it might be worth giving them a call to describe the symptoms. I recently had mine replaced at Halifax Clutch 'n' Gearbox center (sic), and the guys there are very helpful.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers for the taking time to listen and for the advice Wiz! The car does have an M32 box and I know about the issues, but since it happens in any gear and even in neutral with no difference in noise I'm inclined to think it's either not the box or it's one of the bearings around the shaft connected to the box output that spins at wheel speed.

I'll look up the place you mentioned and maybe I'll even get a place to listen to the audio clip first to see if they can pre-diagnose! As you say I can't really rule out a wheel bearing yet either, hopefully it is that!

Cheers for the help man

 

[KingJulien]

Any news?

 

[MattH2580]

Any news?

It's going in for a diagnostic with an official Fiat garage on Friday... hopefully they'll be able to tell me what it is. If not, I'll look at one of the more specialist independent garages.

I know about Allitalia in Wrexham and I've heard people mention The Italian Connection in Hoylake (although can't find any more info on them).

If you or anyone else can recommend a good Fiat specialist with Fiat Bravo experience in the north west (within North Wales/Merseyside/Cheshire) that'd be ace!

 

[dtimmins1985]

There is a place in bristol (N.J.S) but thats a bit far, my car was previously serviced and tuned by them etc as per receipts from previous owner... they are fiat alfa specialists.

 

[MattH2580]

There is a place in bristol (N.J.S) but thats a bit far, my car was previously serviced and tuned by them etc as per receipts from previous owner... they are fiat alfa specialists.

Yeah Bristol is too far for me unfortunately, but at least I know where I can go if my Bravo ever throws a hissy fit down south

 

[dtimmins1985]

Yea... as per work done... and i spoke to them regarding previous work and receipts and they seemed very nice and seemed to remember my car very well and thus i learnt some further history of the car.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using FIAT Forum mobile app

 

[edesl]

Yeah Bristol is too far for me unfortunately, but at least I know where I can go if my Bravo ever throws a hissy fit down south

Matt,
Mine did similar. I called the noise to be jet engine turbine, it You are sitting on the plane in the very first rows, in front of the turbine. Then just a very fine noise is heared.
As You described, in front of the glove compartment. Yes, that is the gearbox as the other wise members already wrote.
So mine did the same in all gears. Now it is at the mechanic, the new bearing set is due to be put in on next Monday.
All of the tapered roller bearings are ****.
My wife's T-Jet is already after "face lift" model and that is fitted with C530 Fiat gearbox !! Model year 2012.
So meanwhile Fiat realized how bad is this M32.
When Your gearbox will be renewed, fill more oil into. And, add some kind of metal conditioner to it. Energy Release, or Metabond or any similar stuff.

 

[MattH2580]

Yes, that is the gearbox as the other wise members already wrote.
So mine did the same in all gears. Now it is at the mechanic, the new bearing set is due to be put in on next Monday.
All of the tapered roller bearings are ****.

Thanks for the info, where are you getting your bearings replaced? and how much is the whole thing costing?

 

[edesl]

Thanks for the info, where are you getting your bearings replaced? and how much is the whole thing costing?

The bearing set from ebay from UK is GBP110+shipping and during the next week I will know the final when I get my car back from the mechanic guy.

 

[wizk1]

Thanks for the info, where are you getting your bearings replaced? and how much is the whole thing costing?

I had mine done at Halifax Clutch 'n' Gearbox centre (in Halifax would you believe) and it cost me ~£350. The job was done in around 3 hours and they're a good bunch of lads.

 

[MattH2580]

The bearing set from ebay from UK is GBP110+shipping and during the next week I will know the final when I get my car back from the mechanic guy.

Awesome, cheers!

I had mine done at Halifax Clutch 'n' Gearbox centre (in Halifax would you believe) and it cost me ~£350. The job was done in around 3 hours and they're a good bunch of lads.

Halifax is a bit of a stretch, but I could probably justify it.

If anyone is wondering as well since I forgot to update this, the garage I took it to (large, well established and official Fiat garage) couldn't diagnose it