Another "hissing sound" question...

[ultrashock2112]

I've been slowly trying to work through issues with my car, namely, lopping idle (especially when engine is cold) and sluggish performance. Another thing I've noticed since I bought the car is a "hissing" sound that seems to be coming from the gear shifter. The sound is not there when idling and slowly gets louder as the car gets up to speed - it isn't dependant on engine RPMs. The hissing isn't really loud but it's noticable and would be best decribed as sounding like a muffled air leak. I've changed my tranny fluid since I've had the car and it looked almost brand new, nothing noticably wrong. I tried going into neutral while up to speed to see if it went away but there was no change, the sound is the same whether I'm turning or going straight.

What's going on??

 

[Kilgore Trout]

So, its an automatic???

 

[ultrashock2112]

So, its an automatic???

lol, I guess that's pretty imporant... It's a 5 sp.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Have you installed an aftermarket shifter? They are known to be generally louder than stock...

 

[ultrashock2112]

Have you installed an aftermarket shifter? They are known to be generally louder than stock...

Nope... No mods other than a CAI.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Perhaps it is an exhaust leak below the shifter area?

 

[Mike97gt]

could be a pluged exhaust.. hissing could be from exhaust escaping from the collectors to avoid a plugged or partly plugged cat.. i would check the exhaust out too.

 

[ultrashock2112]

if it is the exhaust, why would I only hear the sound when the car is moving? Is it possible for me to check the exhaust out myself?

 

[sgarlic]

When you changed the tranny fluid, when you put the shifter back on, did you use rtv, or did you just plop it back on there?

 

[Mike97gt]

if it is the exhaust, why would I only hear the sound when the car is moving? Is it possible for me to check the exhaust out myself?

well when the car is under load you are buring way more fuel. and because oif that you create way more exhaust. as i said it might be that.. i am not saying it is that.. i could fix your car for you if you want too fly me too you or ship the car too me.

 

[ultrashock2112]

When you changed the tranny fluid, when you put the shifter back on, did you use rtv, or did you just plop it back on there?

I didn't take the shifter off to change the fluid... I just drained it and then refilled it with a syringe, did I do something wrong?

 

[ultrashock2112]

well when the car is under load you are buring way more fuel. and because oif that you create way more exhaust. as i said it might be that.. i am not saying it is that.. i could fix your car for you if you want too fly me too you or ship the car too me.

I wish I had the $$! Hmm, can I check the exhaust myself or do I need to bring it to the shop?

 

[sgarlic]

I didn't take the shifter off to change the fluid... I just drained it and then refilled it with a syringe, did I do something wrong?

Probably not. If you have plenty of fluid in there I'm sure you're fine.. I would've just pulled the shifter off and done it that way though probably. What I was getting at is if you don't have a good seal anymore on the shifter maybe you're getting some noise from air blowing up through there.

 

[ultrashock2112]

Probably not. If you have plenty of fluid in there I'm sure you're fine.. I would've just pulled the shifter off and done it that way though probably. What I was getting at is if you don't have a good seal anymore on the shifter maybe you're getting some noise from air blowing up through there.

good point... I've never attempted to take the shifter off. The only thing I took off was the knob and the plastic trim to check the rubber boot underneath, it looked fine, no holes or anything. I love my car but I'm getting a little frustrated with these little things I can't seem to fix!!

 

[sgarlic]

Well, if it helps, you're not the only one.

 

[Mike97gt]

I wish I had the $$! Hmm, can I check the exhaust myself or do I need to bring it to the shop?

well you could remove the h-pipe and go for a spin with a off-road pipe or with no h.. LOL

and if the car gets it's balls back then there you go.. plugged cats is your problem.

now after you stop does the hissing slowly go away.. or is it gone before you stop?

 

[ultrashock2112]

well you could remove the h-pipe and go for a spin with a off-road pipe or with no h.. LOL

and if the car gets it's balls back then there you go.. plugged cats is your problem.

now after you stop does the hissing slowly go away.. or is it gone before you stop?

It's gone before I stop... Today I took off the rubber boot underneath the leather(?) shift boot and drove around to see what it sounded like - I think I might just be hearing road noise coming up.

 

[Shiroelex]

Yeah, I noticed a similar noise in mine, that went away when I got new tires. I'd bet on road noise, if it's parallel to vehicle speed, and nothing else (aka RPM or clutch position).

 

[ultrashock2112]

Yeah, I noticed a similar noise in mine, that went away when I got new tires. I'd bet on road noise, if it's parallel to vehicle speed, and nothing else (aka RPM or clutch position).

Thanks... Yeah I think my tires make a lot of noise, they almost seem to resonate when driving at around 50km/h. Today when I opened the arm rest/storage the sound was even louder like it migrates up through the car, maybe I should put some insulation under the leather shift boot (or just live with it).

 

[Mike97gt]

It's gone before I stop... Today I took off the rubber boot underneath the leather(?) shift boot and drove around to see what it sounded like - I think I might just be hearing road noise coming up.

yeah if thats the case road noise makes more sense. the hissing froma plugged exhaust will still be there for a little while after the car is stoped.