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Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 8:22:12 PM

RobD

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2006
Status: offline

Hi fellas, I've got a quick question. When accelerating my '07 H3 under moderate throttle, say around half, the engine makes a kind of rattle type sound. It is moderately loud. It doesn't make the sound under light or full throttle, though. It also does not do it when reving the motor in neutral. I don't really remember this sound when the H3 was brand new. It's got about 1800 miles on it now. I did a quick search and found something about a balance shaft issue that makes a clattering sound at about 2300 - 2500 rpm, but does not affect reliability. Supposedly this issue was fixed during early 2006 production. I assume that's still within 2006 H3 production. My '07 H3 was built in June '06.

Basically my question is, what is it and is it just an idiosyncrasy of the H3 drivetrain? TIA

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'07 H3

Post #: 1

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 8:47:11 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
Status: offline

Rob, try this before you try anything else..

Run the tank to almost empty with the fuel left in (I assume 87 octane), then refill with 91+ octane..If it stops rattling on acceleration from a standing stop with full throttle (which could also be predetonation knock), take it in, as it sounds to me something off on the timing or PCM programming...Because it should not take that higher octane to stop the knocking, it should run perfect on 87 octane..

(in reply to RobD)

Post #: 2

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 9:21:53 PM

inked

Posts: 252
Joined: 5/26/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Rob, try this before you try anything else..

Run the tank to almost empty with the fuel left in (I assume 87 octane), then refill with 91+ octane..If it stops rattling on acceleration from a standing stop with full throttle (which could also be predetonation knock), take it in, as it sounds to me something off on the timing or PCM programming...Because it should not take that higher octane to stop the knocking, it should run perfect on 87 octane..

Damn Dennis - you're like an encyclopedia when it comes to Hummers - amazing!
This forum is pretty lucky to have you, lucky bastards - kidding

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4X4BOYZ.COM - "Get it Dirty!"

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 3

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 9:44:39 PM

Ghostrider

Posts: 545
Joined: 9/18/2006
Status: offline

I don't know if this is the same noise, but sometimes I hear a sound that sounds like something light touching a spinning fan blade. It's more of a metallic whirrr...

Theres nothing better than trying to describe engine sounds. Makes me feel like a special person..very special.

(in reply to inked)

Post #: 4

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 10:00:05 PM

lotus4s

Posts: 48
Joined: 8/21/2006
Status: offline

At times I have a similar noise on acceleration that I thought might be valves or detonation but then realized it doesn't speed up or slow down with the rpms. Only happens occasionally and usually after driving for a while. I still haven't figured it out but have come to the conclusion that it's not combustion related.

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06 H3 Superior Blue, lux/adventure, sunroof, oem ucp & rock rails, 35" Cooper STT's, DOI winch bumper, gobi stealth rack and PIAA 1500xt's, dvd

(in reply to Ghostrider)

Post #: 5

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 10:00:09 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: inked

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Rob, try this before you try anything else..

Run the tank to almost empty with the fuel left in (I assume 87 octane), then refill with 91+ octane..If it stops rattling on acceleration from a standing stop with full throttle (which could also be predetonation knock), take it in, as it sounds to me something off on the timing or PCM programming...Because it should not take that higher octane to stop the knocking, it should run perfect on 87 octane..

Damn Dennis - you're like an encyclopedia when it comes to Hummers - amazing!
This forum is pretty lucky to have you, lucky bastards - kidding

Shucks!...Thanks man..But my knowledge is limited and humble..But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week.

(in reply to inked)

Post #: 6

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 10:04:00 PM

RobD

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Rob, try this before you try anything else..

Run the tank to almost empty with the fuel left in (I assume 87 octane), then refill with 91+ octane..If it stops rattling on acceleration from a standing stop with full throttle (which could also be predetonation knock), take it in, as it sounds to me something off on the timing or PCM programming...Because it should not take that higher octane to stop the knocking, it should run perfect on 87 octane..

Dennis, I don't think it's detonating. It does not make the sound under full throttle or at high rpm. Plus, it really doesn't sound like a ping. For example, if I'm cruising at a steady and quiet 30mph, then give it like half throttle, it clatters/rattles. The more throttle I give it, the lesser the noise. Could it be piston slap or that balance shaft issue? It doesen't sound like it going to self destruct or anything, but it is a little crude sounding. Thanks.

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'07 H3

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 7

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/22/2006 10:08:03 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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The sound I'm thinking of, sort of sounds like diesel ping, Like a diesel engine sounds...But personally, try my idea at least, can't hurt.

(in reply to RobD)

Post #: 8

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 8:08:01 AM

RobD

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

The sound I'm thinking of, sort of sounds like diesel ping, Like a diesel engine sounds...But personally, try my idea at least, can't hurt.

I'll try it, thanks.

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'07 H3

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Post #: 9

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 8:23:00 AM

hummer plumber

Posts: 284
Joined: 7/2/2006
Status: offline

I got the ratteling noise also 24000kms .I think its a spark knock when using reg gas. I had the same noise in my 04 rubicon dealer changed the head and it solved the problem

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07 H2 Lux Black
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(in reply to RobD)

Post #: 10

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 8:53:56 AM

RobD

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2006
Status: offline

If this noise is ping, spark knock, etc., I wonder if the ethanol in the fuel has something to do with it. I usually get gas (87) at Shell, which in my area is 10% ethanol.

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'07 H3

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Post #: 11

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 11:58:17 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6684
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I had the noise also but thought it was normal, but now that you guys are all talking about it, i know what you mean. Mine though is very very faint, to the point that you can't hear it unless the radio is off and the windows are closed. I hear it through the firewall. The noise actually was louder for me with higher octane. Once I disconnected the battery overnight and ran the tank dry and refilled it with only 87 octane, i never heard it again, which is strange because according to everybody here the ECU/PCM should not have remembered or had anything erased. I don't know what happened but it dissappeared after that. It may have something to do also with the colder weather. The gas companies change mixtures from summer to winter seasons. That affects your engine to some degree. It may be that you need to switch to a different brand, but trying to figure out who has what mixture in place is impossible.

< Message edited by HummerGuy -- 9/23/2006 11:59:22 AM >

Post #: 12

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 12:40:58 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: RobD

If this noise is ping, spark knock, etc., I wonder if the ethanol in the fuel has something to do with it. I usually get gas (87) at Shell, which in my area is 10% ethanol.

That may be it..try non ethanol and higher octane..

(in reply to RobD)

Post #: 13

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 3:30:57 PM

RobD

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

quote:

ORIGINAL: RobD

If this noise is ping, spark knock, etc., I wonder if the ethanol in the fuel has something to do with it. I usually get gas (87) at Shell, which in my area is 10% ethanol.

That may be it..try non ethanol and higher octane..

In my area, I think they all have some percentage of ethanol, unfortunately. Thanks Dennis.

HummerGuy, thanks, maybe I'll try that. The volume of my noise is similar... with the windows down and/or the radio on, you'd really have to listen for it.

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'07 H3

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Post #: 14

RE: Strange engine sound - 9/23/2006 4:26:10 PM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6684
Status: offline

Dennis: I was told and have seen on the news that it was a law or federal regulation to have 10% ethenol on all gasoline. Maybe that's just around here. You can't buy it in Chicago without it. All the pumps say By law, 10% ethenol is added to all fuels, or something to that effect. Perhaps it's just an Illinois law.

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 15