Car sounding like it is in reverse

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Bobbin

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Honda Civic 1.8 Vxi A/T - 2008 Model.

So about 2 - 3 days ago I noticed a new strange noise from the car, particularly in the morning from the moment I put it into reverse to get out of the parking bay, all the way from 1st to at least 3rd/4th gear (Can't really hear it past that due to wind/accel noise etc...). It just constantly sounds like what I can only describe as what I've often heard other cars sound like when they are in reverse at speed (whirring noise with a pitch that is aligned with the speed of car). It does seem to go away eventually after about 15 minutes of driving or so - I don't notice it when arriving at my destination.

I haven't really tested things yet, though with an automatic you don't exactly have a clutch pedal to test much :p Will see later if it happens when revving in neutral perhaps but if memory serves I only notice it when starting to move.

Hopefully nothing serious, the car still drives fine. Rear differential seems to be the best guess. Is this on the right track you think? Just want to get some ideas/education before taking it in somewhere to check :)
 
Bobbin said:
Honda Civic 1.8 Vxi A/T - 2008 Model.

So about 2 - 3 days ago I noticed a new strange noise from the car, particularly in the morning from the moment I put it into reverse to get out of the parking bay, all the way from 1st to at least 3rd/4th gear (Can't really hear it past that due to wind/accel noise etc...). It just constantly sounds like what I can only describe as what I've often heard other cars sound like when they are in reverse at speed (whirring noise with a pitch that is aligned with the speed of car). It does seem to go away eventually after about 15 minutes of driving or so - I don't notice it when arriving at my destination.

I haven't really tested things yet, though with an automatic you don't exactly have a clutch pedal to test much :p Will see later if it happens when revving in neutral perhaps but if memory serves I only notice it when starting to move.

Hopefully nothing serious, the car still drives fine. Rear differential seems to be the best guess. Is this on the right track you think? Just want to get some ideas/education before taking it in somewhere to check :)
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I suspect it is serious, attend to it soon. What is that about a rear diff, are you driving some limited edition of a Civic?
 
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thechamp said:
I suspect it is serious, attend to it soon. What is that about a rear diff, are you driving some limited edition of a Civic?
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Just general google results mention rear diff but I'm a clueless mechanic unfortunately
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
Bit difficult as it's front wheel drive, no rear differential.

It's likely to just be low on ATF.
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Thanks! Lol something so basic I'm oblivious to :o Good thing I am asking.

So I found the following:

http://www.atra.com/blog/diagnosing-transmission-sounds/

Whining or grinding noises when driving can mean that the planetary gear set is damaged. Automatic transmissions use a planetary gear system that consists of a single center gear, a large ring gear around that with internal teeth and multiple small gears in between the center and riplanetary gear system, transmission soundsg gears. This arrangement allows for a variety of gear ratios that can be shifted very easily, but if one part of the system fails, it often renders the whole system inoperable. A failing planetary gear set will cause widespread damage if not corrected immediately. If you hear these noises, you should stop driving and have the vehicle checked for problems.
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A constant whining sound, one that may change in pitch as you drive, may be indicative of a problem with your torque converter. The best indication of a torque converter bearing torqueconverterissue is that you hear the whining in gear (any gear) while stationary and then the sound goes away in park or neutral. Understanding how the torque converter functions can help identify whether or not a torque converter problem is suspected. Click here for an outstanding animation that is quite helpful in understanding how torque converters operate.
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hmmm... hopefully more the second. But will have to take it in asap. Will test to make sure if the sound goes away in park/neutral, I don't recall hearing it while in park.
 
Just took the car for a spin in the parking lot at work to test the park/neutral theory. Interesting that the sound is gone though no matter what I try. So it only occurs in the early morning/cool air/engine. Why the hell would that make a significant difference :wtf: So will have to play around again tomorrow morning.
 
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Have gearbox oil changed. This is normally not on the check list. Also have the wheelbearings checked, could be that they are struggling when their grease is cold coz they are getting a bit worn.
 
Forgot to update here.

Turns out it was Power Steering fluid. Before taking it in I also noticed that the sound is noticeably louder when the steering wasn't in neutral position.

I asked if it was due to any leaks but they say they would have spotted it if this was the case.

Case closed :)
 
Bobbin said:
Forgot to update here.

Turns out it was Power Steering fluid. Before taking it in I also noticed that the sound is noticeably louder when the steering wasn't in neutral position.

I asked if it was due to any leaks but they say they would have spotted it if this was the case.

Case closed :)
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What was the problem, was the fluid low? And was the issue on the gearbox or steering system?
 
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Hi Bobbin

Please advise me also because I've been having a similar sound on my Nissan Tiida auto,

How did you figure out it was the power steering and not the gearbox?

Is the noise now gone?
 
ahmedomar said:
Hi Bobbin

Please advise me also because I've been having a similar sound on my Nissan Tiida auto,

How did you figure out it was the power steering and not the gearbox?

Is the noise now gone?
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I suspect it has everything to do with the gearbox, bear in mind that power steering fluid and gearbox fluid is the same thing, hopes he comes back to clarify but I think the power steering fluid went straight into the gearbox.
 
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