Hi all,

I've notices a random scratching noise my car makes when i'm in reverse. I have a 2013 i30 1.6l automatic.

It started around 45000km to 55000km and you can only hear is when the car is still cold and in reverse. I have sent my car to the dealership twice now and they can't find anything. It's sufficient to say these guys have terrible service and lack the skill to pinpoint the issue. Here is a link to a video recording with sound. If anyone has any ideas or suggestion I would really appreciate it. https://goo.gl/photos/5DbSf4XFpvCV5P4L7


In general my car sounds a bit noisy. I have also been experiencing body creaks when driving around sharp corners and uneven surfaces. Guys at the dealership said they tightened every bolt and lubricated everything they could but it persists. I know card have some measure of flexibility in them, but they shouldn't creak like this?

Cheers,
Fred

[CraigB]

Sounds like a worn or clogged vacuum hose valve try removing one at a time the vacuum lines from the rocker cover and air intake pipe.

[tw2005]

Keep in mind this is guessing. Sounds reasonably regular , only happens in reverse and it's an auto.

Could it be a solenoid being pulsed in the box? Sounds electrical buzzing noise to me. If it ceases in neutral or drive, then immediately returns selecting Reverse, could be.

Some solenoids are pulsed for pressure regulation. I can't say if it's normal or not but that's my thought

Yeah it definitely stops as soon as you get into neutral or drive. Also, only happens in the mornings when my car is cold. Only started recently so I'm NOT convinced it's normal. I found two guys on youtube with similar sounds on i30s:

[tw2005]

Really interesting. One of those possibly both are manual boxes. Sounds more bearing like, have to listen to yours again.

[asathorny]

Two suggestions to be working with, maybe our prize winning tech can shed more light...


Good luck 

[tw2005]

not the same noise for me. The videos seem more spasmodic and irregular in tone. Yours sounds quite regular and the duration and tone of the noise seems quite consistant.

Really sounds like a an electrical pulse.

@cruiserfied may be the guy for this one as he works on these daily.

Yes after comparing my video to the others I agree with you. Sounds controlled and electrical. Wondering what could cause the pressure issues? I have ZERO knowledge of these mechanics but sure as hell going to skill up so i'll have better ammo next time at the dealership Loving the feedback on the forum so far! Great community! 

[tw2005]

May not even be a problem? Who knows? My previous vehicles were mitsubishi based. In reverse the solenoid was pulsed If I turned the ignition on but not start the engine but selected reverse I could hear it buzzing. Later in life when it was cold and I selected reverse I could have just enough pressure to allow the vehicle creep and I could feel the car pulse in motion. Don't remember that being normal or not or if I just managed to produce the right conditions to pick it up where normally you would not.

Of course once you notice something you think its abnormal it's easy to fixate on it and convince yourself something is wrong too until you find the evidence or answers to support it is not.

Just saying I'm really interest too from a learning perspective, probably no need to panic yet if it's feeling and driving ok.

This is the GD series 6 speed box?

I know nothing about them as I have the old style 4 speed FD series

[tw2005]

Whilst we're on this. Check this one out , Veloster DCT. Sounds a lot like those other two videos of manuals. 

I get you. I always panic if new sounds and creaks come up. My logic says: If it didn't do this when I bought the car out of the box, why now? Will defiantly share any relevant research or feedback. I'm still waiting for the report form the gearbox shop Hyundai uses here is South Africa for automatics. Yes its the 6 speed =)

[Shambles]

Check this one out

That sounds to me like the aircon compressor clutch engaging/disengaging.

[tw2005]

Hang on, Hold the Bus. Just found the SME for transmission noises......enjoy

Nooooooo that guys is terrible =P watched that video a few minutes ago. Useless

[Shambles]

Just found the SME for transmission noises......enjoy

Made me laugh

[Dazzler]

Just found the SME for transmission noises......enjoy

Made me laugh

Me too...

Hi silentfred and You've had a lot more to say than I expected! 

Did you buy your i30 2nd hand? I can't explain the transmission noises, but the creaks and groans over bumps and stuff sounds like it has been fixed after a major smash!

I had a Fiat 128 3p Hatchback when I was around 20 y/o I got it nearly brand new via my Stepdad (long story) Anyway, when it was about 12 months old I let a friend drive it and he lost control. We were very lucky to survive without significant injuries! It should have been written off. It was fixed by a very good Italian repair shop. It looked exactly like new EXCEPT it used to creak and groan over driveway ramps and major road bumps and stuff!

I traded it on a new Renault soon after and they didn't pick it as repaired! 

Obviously I hope this is not the case... 

[nzenigma]

  That is appalling tw, no more please. 

Interesting problem mate, The manual boxes sound like  bearing noise.

I agree that silentfred probably does not need to panic, my first impression was pressure being released, but as you say could be buzz of a solenoid or similar. Too regular to make me think it is a big drama.

[nzenigma]

Bit more thought . The body creaking is curious in a young car like yours. Dazz's suggestion re past repairs, would be something I would consider. If true, it could be minor or something dangerous. So pay a bit of attention to it.
  Can you identify the area the creaking is coming from.? You may need to take a dispensable friend along who can sit in various seats etc and listen while you lurch about.

Re the noise in reverse. Has anyone checked your transmission fluid? First, is it correct level with motor running hot, and in neutral? Is the fluid quality ok. You say it is only noisy when cold; when the engine is warm, the fluid is at optimum viscosity.

To pinpoint a noise you need to use a stethoscope ( or short hose ) and move it around the engine and trans, even underneath. You will be surprised how well this works.
The same for body noise, top or bottom of a door pillar, dash etc etc.

[Dazzler]

Just had another thought re: creaks... If one of the bump stops on the rear hatch isn't adjusted correctly (or the bonnet maybe) that could possibly generate some body flexing noises... 

Hi all. Thanks for all the excellent feedback!

I bought the car brand new with less than 1000km on the clock. I'll definitely pass on all the info to the dealership. (or another accredited repair shop). They never said too much about what they checked on the gearbox. I'm still waiting for the report from Mayfair (the gearbox specialists who also didn't find anything. Added that the dealership didn't accurately convey the issue to them).

The creaking noise comes from the back of the car. Somewhere around the back door pillar. I would have to get that idle buddy to sit and listen for me. The panels on the boot and bonnet are aligned near perfect so I wouldn't suspect that. Would it be easy to identify this problem visually?

Will try record this creaking noise sometime. I also have a whistling aircon problem that the shop fixed by replacing the aircon compressor and 4 weeks later the noise returned. But that's for another post 

P.S after some research on these noises I made list of possible issues:

Gearbox

- Transmission solenoid issues
- Worn/ clogged vacuum hose valve
- Check Transmission fluid (levels and quality as per @nzenigma's suggestion)

Creaking noise

- Check all rubber bushes
- Sway bar bushes
- Sway bar links
- Check lower control arms

Thoughts?

[Dazzler]

Those lists are a good start. I wonder whether yours was built in Korea or Czech Republic. The Quality control is usually very good with i30's.

The QC of the 1st series appeared to be better from Korea than Czech Republic (slightly).

Your model (series 2) may actually be the other way around. From my experience Czech built cars are now slightly tighter and better finished than the Korean ones. I believe the Korean factory has more strike and union issues.

Very interesting! How can one find out where the car was built? (For interest sake). Also, do you guys have a chat group?

[Shambles]

The VIN has a code for the country of build


Regarding a chat group, our Facebook group is quite useful but it's so busy in there I can't keep up with all the banter

Will check it out. I must say, I didn't expect this forum to be so busy. It's great! Let me leave you all in peace until I have more intel   

[Shambles]

i30 VIN Decoder Mark 2

[Dazzler]

I suspect it will be Korean built...

I thought this was a chat group! 

I chat all the time...

[Doggie 1]

Wattie sed.
I thought this was our chat group.   

[The Gonz]

Constant chatter