"Strange sound" when accelerating...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
"Strange sound" when accelerating...
Hi Guys,
What an awesome forum. I've laughed out loud about
3-4 times in the last ten minutes reading over various
posts =)
Anyway, I've got a new 2004 C5, and have put about
1,800 miles on it over the past few months.
I never noticed this before (always have the radio
cranked up), but I recently noticed that when I first hit
the gas from a dead
stop, the car makes a strange, subtle sound, almost like
something rubbing or vibrating - but it only lasts for
a second. I wish I could describe the sound, I was
thinking that maybe it's just the air condition clutch
engaging or something, but it seems to do it with
the air on or off so apparently that's not it...
Any ideas on what this is - should I take it in
to the dealer? ...Or should I just let it go if
it doesn't seem to be causing any problem?
Thanks guys!
-Bryan
What an awesome forum. I've laughed out loud about
3-4 times in the last ten minutes reading over various
posts =)
Anyway, I've got a new 2004 C5, and have put about
1,800 miles on it over the past few months.
I never noticed this before (always have the radio
cranked up), but I recently noticed that when I first hit
the gas from a dead
stop, the car makes a strange, subtle sound, almost like
something rubbing or vibrating - but it only lasts for
a second. I wish I could describe the sound, I was
thinking that maybe it's just the air condition clutch
engaging or something, but it seems to do it with
the air on or off so apparently that's not it...
Any ideas on what this is - should I take it in
to the dealer? ...Or should I just let it go if
it doesn't seem to be causing any problem?
Thanks guys!
-Bryan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
I have a similar sound with my new MN6 at the time you are describing--shortly after the clutch is engaged and loading the engine--also sometimes in 2nd at lower RPMs when the engine is loaded a little more heavily. I never hear it at idle--only under laod--it lasts for about a second.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
If you have the MN6, the noise you are probably describing is the "marbles in a can" noise and is common in most vettes with the MN6. Several members have it and some have even said GM addresses it in the owners manual, but I've never actually looked for it in there. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,369
Likes: 142
From: For the strength of the pack is the wolf . . . . . . and the strength of the wolf is the pack.
I hear the same sound. 
It only seems to happen as the car gets rolling, either in 1st or 2nd.
I fixed it by making the radio louder.
It only seems to happen as the car gets rolling, either in 1st or 2nd.
I fixed it by making the radio louder.
Last edited by RPOZ15; Aug 17, 2004 at 08:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
My '02 6 speed does it too
I just bought my '02 three weeks ago and the day after I bought it I noticed the noise. I first thought it was an exhaust part vibrating against something. However after watching the video which comes with every new corvette they addressed the noise and said it a normal sound of the high performance drive train. I don't like it but I do feel better knowing that I am not "fixing" (now that is southern for getting ready to do something) to lose something off my car.
Sanford Flach
Saraland, Al.
Sanford Flach
Saraland, Al.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I have noticed a sound when I lightly hit the gas in 4th gear. It seems to be less apparent in other gears and as soon as I really hit the gas it quickly goes away. There just seeems to be a spot where I can make the noise happen...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
All normal sounds. It's even mentioned in the tape that comes with the car when new. It can also happen when stopped. If it does and it goes away when you depress the clutch it's a normal sound. Hope that helps.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 2
From: Whidbey Island WA
Originally Posted by vettecop1125
If you have the MN6, the noise you are probably describing is the "marbles in a can" noise and is common in most vettes with the MN6. Several members have it and some have even said GM addresses it in the owners manual, but I've never actually looked for it in there. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
I bet if you raise your rpm's it goes away 
Administrator
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Originally Posted by vettecop1125
If you have the MN6, the noise you are probably describing is the "marbles in a can" noise and is common in most vettes with the MN6.
Mine does the same thing.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: north wales pa
LOL!Loud scream that's funny.I like that. now that i'm remembering the first time the salesman really opened up the car on me when i was shopping for c-5's i literally almost dug my nails into the seats and P'd my pant's.This is my first fast car! I've always been in suv's .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I just got my 04 Coupe, i hear the same sound...like a vibrating in the exhaust or something until i press down on the clutch. As soon as i went back to get me plates i asked about it. The Mechanic said..."Welcome to corvette"...he said it was the "clutch throwout bearing" I hope thats all it is.
Mike
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What you are hearing is the notorious throwout bearing noise that comes in all 6spds. The tranny is a tremec manufactured transmission which i believe is the same unit on Cobra Mustangs. (dont quote me on it)
I hear the same sound on Mustangs with tremec trannys and its normal.
just my .02
I hear the same sound on Mustangs with tremec trannys and its normal.
just my .02
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 1
From: Bainbridge Island Wa
Bryan,
Does it sound like an exhaust noise when you drive next to another car at 5 to 20 miles per hour, like it maybe underneathe your car? Mine didnt make any noise until I got back from a long trip so I havent had the pleasure of going back to the dealor yet. One of the forum ppl said my noise is the belt tensioner and I have to believe it,,,cause my belt tensioner has some erratic movement on it...
I thought it was bad gazzz at first,,like a low level ping...thats of course if we are talking bout the same noise....
fwiw..
Does it sound like an exhaust noise when you drive next to another car at 5 to 20 miles per hour, like it maybe underneathe your car? Mine didnt make any noise until I got back from a long trip so I havent had the pleasure of going back to the dealor yet. One of the forum ppl said my noise is the belt tensioner and I have to believe it,,,cause my belt tensioner has some erratic movement on it...
I thought it was bad gazzz at first,,like a low level ping...thats of course if we are talking bout the same noise....
fwiw..
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
Originally Posted by Rickk
If its the "marbles in a can sound" its normal and described in the owners manual. Mine does it too.
Classic throw out bearing noise. There is also noise when turning the car off, unless you depress the clutch and then it goes away. This is one of the ways GM maintains their uniqueness so their products aren't confused with the Japs or the Germans, who seem to be able to eliminate it. Fifty grand and marbles in a can... 