disturbing noise through all gears until car warms up?

[nk2a]

New to the forum – Enjoy reading through all the posts.

My 03ORANGE MSP (flashed ECU, no other mods to date) has started making a fluttering air sound when accelerating through all gears @ mid rpms. It never used to make this sound before. Strangely the sound goes away after the car has briefly warmed up. The car seems to have lost allot of pull in 4th and 5th as a result. Before taking it into the dealer I thought I would ask the opinions of the forum.

The sound:

>only occurs if the car is moving.
>is loudest in lower gears.
>appears to REZN8 from behind the glove box.
Any input as to what may be causing the sound would greatly be appreciated. Much Thanks!

[nk2a]

Well after 50 reads and no reply's, either I’m crazy or for some reason no one has a practical answer untill now. I figure posting the cause of my problem might help others diagnose a similar problem they may be having with their MSP. I know I’ve seen a few posts that are asking for help in a related matter.

So the cause of this fluttering air sound that strangely disappears once the car is warmed up is non other then a cracked manifold bolt. Once the car returns from the shop I will perhaps go into more detail. I guess it depends on if I get any replays.

Any way that’s the scoop. Good luck to you all!

nk2a

[jeffmsp]

Does it sound like a turkey or pigeon? (uhm)

[BOOSTR]

Could be any of a dozen things. Just take it in and be glad that you have no mods to void your warranty. Get a loaner RX-8 and relax while they fix it.

Its a good sign that the problem goes away after warmup; not so good that you have suffered a power loss in upper gears.

[nk2a]

Does it sound like a turkey or pigeon? (uhm)

It sounded more like a turkey, unrealted to the infamous MAZDA turkey, that had a screw driver stabbed through its neck; a fluttering, hissing, tapping, spatter. Once the engine or the monifold heated up the bolt would expand causing it to seal - hence no more stabbed turkey.

[nk2a]

Could be any of a dozen things. Just take it in and be glad that you have no mods to void your warranty. Get a loaner RX-8 and relax while they fix it.

Its a good sign that the problem goes away after warmup; not so good that you have suffered a power loss in upper gears.

All ready brought the car in - The post has been up for a while. Turned out to be a cracked manifold bolt. No loaner - I bought the car in MN and drove it out west. Much cheaper. It seems that Mazda dealerships only loan cars out if you bought the car form the servicing dealership.

[Newf]

i don't know if this is related or not but I am getting a new noise lately. Everytime I start the car cold, if I rev the car even in neutral I get a quiet almost flutter sound. Literally takes about a minute, perhaps the car warms up, and it's gone. I can't say it comes from any particular area.

Car seems to be performing well. Turbo does seem a little more rough then usual as the power once it kicks in isn't as smooth as it was. I did reset the ecu, helped a bit but not much.

???

[Black Majik MSP]

No loaner - I bought the car in MN and drove it out west. Much cheaper. It seems that Mazda dealerships only loan cars out if you bought the car form the servicing dealership.
That's not true...I got a rental car when I turned my car in at the Orlando dealer, but we bought it in Delray Beach.

[nickbachman]

is it a fluttering, uneven hiss when you accelerate? if so, i always thought that was the turbo not having enough oil in it yet, as it hadn't warmed up. i could be wrong though.

[Newf]

yeah, it could be described like that. Car has never done this before. Only the last 2-3 weeks.

[nk2a]

i don't know if this is related or not but I am getting a new noise lately. Everytime I start the car cold, if I rev the car even in neutral I get a quiet almost flutter sound. Literally takes about a minute, perhaps the car warms up, and it's gone. I can't say it comes from any particular area.

Car seems to be performing well. Turbo does seem a little more rough then usual as the power once it kicks in isn't as smooth as it was. I did reset the ecu, helped a bit but not much.

???

A cracked manifold bolt makes a tapping, fluttering, air release sound that can be heard at idle or when accelerating but disappears once the engine is warmed up (60 sec +). Use a stethoscope to detect the REZN8TING point. Simply leave the car @ idle and check the manifold bolts. Start with the bolt furthest away from the turbo...

[MazdaDryvr]

Holy crap! Another thread about this noise! Check the manifold bolts people. I had the same noise and it reacted the same way to hot/cold engine. No less than 4 manifold bolts were loose. Take off the heat shield and look for the carbon marks. I posted about this weeks ago. :)