Flapping sound when over 5K RPMs

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 12:25 AM

My car just started to make what sounds like a flapping sound whenever im running over 5K RPMs. It sees to be coming from the drivers side. I cant tell if its coming from inside near the steering/column area, or outsides in the engine bay behind the steering area.

What could it be?

Also, I just had my engine oil, transmission oil, gear oil, clutch fluid, and an alignment done, if that matters...

zmanelite · 12-18-2015, 12:39 AM

could be the under tray that was left loose

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 12:53 AM

I dont know cause it sounds like its coming from the upper area, like under the steering wheel near column.
I guess ima have to take it back so they can check if the did leave something loose.
Its like a loud flapping/clicking sound.
Ill try to record it tomorrow and upload it here.
I wont be able to take my car back until Monday because of work.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 12-18-2015, 01:59 AM

Get under the car and look for loose stuff, most likely its the undertray, techs usually put it o. Like 3 screws out of 15, cuz they r lazy. So u underpayed a guy(am guessing), this is the result.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

Get under the car and look for loose stuff, most likely its the undertray, techs usually put it o. Like 3 screws out of 15, cuz they r lazy. So u underpayed a guy(am guessing), this is the result.

I had it done at the dealership actually. I dont trust other small shops, bad experience.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 02:10 AM

anyone else had a similar issue? maybe it is something mechanical?

Duc_Z09 · 12-18-2015, 07:22 AM

Is it actually rpm related, or speed related? Try getting it to flap, then up-shift but stay at the same speed. I'm guessing it's speed related, and you've got a loose plastic undertray (like stated above). Mechanical noises are usually whines, grinds, knocks, squeals, etc... not flaps.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

Is it actually rpm related, or speed related? Try getting it to flap, then up-shift but stay at the same speed. I'm guessing it's speed related, and you've got a loose plastic undertray (like stated above). Mechanical noises are usually whines, grinds, knocks, squeals, etc... not flaps.

It is definitely RPM related. Ive tried checking in gears 1, 2, and 3 and then up shifting, etc.. and it always happens when over 5K RPM. I could be going 80mph in 6th gear and no noise.
I guess It could be described as a knock?
Like I said earlier, I feel its coming from the steering column area, or just right behind the actual steering wheel or gauges. Hard to tell where noises in cabin come from sometimes.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 07:45 AM

Even if its not speed related, maybe there is something loose and it doesnt occur until higher engine vibrations at higher RPMs... but I guess I wont know till I bring the car back in.

Duc_Z09 · 12-18-2015, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Boy

It is definitely RPM related. Ive tried checking in gears 1, 2, and 3 and then up shifting, etc.. and it always happens when over 5K RPM. I could be going 80mph in 6th gear and no noise.
I guess It could be described as a knock?
Like I said earlier, I feel its coming from the steering column area, or just right behind the actual steering wheel or gauges. Hard to tell where noises in cabin come from sometimes.

That's a little more worrying then. Are you noticing any other vibrations besides the knocking/flapping noise? It's gotta be something loose that a specific harmonic at 5k is setting in motion.

Was the intake manifold cover (plastic thing on top of the engine) removed and put back recently? That would do it, if it was loose... And it's probably insulated enough from wind that speed wouldn't matter, but rpm definitely would because it's bolted directly to the engine.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

That's a little more worrying then. Are you noticing any other vibrations besides the knocking/flapping noise? It's gotta be something loose that a specific harmonic at 5k is setting in motion.

Was the intake manifold cover (plastic thing on top of the engine) removed and put back recently? That would do it, if it was loose... And it's probably insulated enough from wind that speed wouldn't matter, but rpm definitely would because it's bolted directly to the engine.

I tried checking the engine bay for anything loose or left in there, but couldnt find anything. Ill try checking again.
I really hope its nothing serious!

Duc_Z09 · 12-18-2015, 07:53 AM

I'm an idiot for not thinking of this sooner... If it happens while not moving, get someone to rev your car to 5k while you stand to the SIDE (safety first) of the open engine bay and see if you can find what's wrong. Sometimes it's hard to isolate an engine bay noise from the wrong side of the firewall.

Bad Boy · 12-18-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

I'm an idiot for not thinking of this sooner... If it happens while not moving, get someone to rev your car to 5k while you stand to the SIDE (safety first) of the open engine bay and see if you can find what's wrong. Sometimes it's hard to isolate an engine bay noise from the wrong side of the firewall.

Ill try this, but im pretty sure the rev limiter stops at 5K when in neutral.

Leingod · 12-18-2015, 09:04 AM

I had the same issue. 09 model also. Almost like a metal flapping noise coming from behind the steering column. Weird thing was that it went away on its own after a few months. I think after I did a basic oil change.

FPenvy · 12-18-2015, 09:13 AM

after 5k RPM there's typically a fapping sound in my 09 Z too.......

12-18-2015, 12:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bad Boy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando Age: 33 Posts: 295 Drives: 370Z 6SPD Touring Rep Power: 11	Flapping sound when over 5K RPMs My car just started to make what sounds like a flapping sound whenever im running over 5K RPMs. It sees to be coming from the drivers side. I cant tell if its coming from inside near the steering/column area, or outsides in the engine bay behind the steering area. What could it be? Also, I just had my engine oil, transmission oil, gear oil, clutch fluid, and an alignment done, if that matters...

12-18-2015, 12:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
zmanelite Track Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Anaheim Posts: 753 Drives: 370 Z Nismo Rep Power: 37	could be the under tray that was left loose Trips likes this. __________________ Instagram @zmanscm

12-18-2015, 01:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 21	Get under the car and look for loose stuff, most likely its the undertray, techs usually put it o. Like 3 screws out of 15, cuz they r lazy. So u underpayed a guy(am guessing), this is the result. __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

12-18-2015, 07:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	Is it actually rpm related, or speed related? Try getting it to flap, then up-shift but stay at the same speed. I'm guessing it's speed related, and you've got a loose plastic undertray (like stated above). Mechanical noises are usually whines, grinds, knocks, squeals, etc... not flaps. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

12-18-2015, 07:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	I'm an idiot for not thinking of this sooner... If it happens while not moving, get someone to rev your car to 5k while you stand to the SIDE (safety first) of the open engine bay and see if you can find what's wrong. Sometimes it's hard to isolate an engine bay noise from the wrong side of the firewall. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

12-18-2015, 12:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bad Boy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando Age: 33 Posts: 295 Drives: 370Z 6SPD Touring Rep Power: 11	I dont know cause it sounds like its coming from the upper area, like under the steering wheel near column. I guess ima have to take it back so they can check if the did leave something loose. Its like a loud flapping/clicking sound. Ill try to record it tomorrow and upload it here. I wont be able to take my car back until Monday because of work.

12-18-2015, 02:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bad Boy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando Age: 33 Posts: 295 Drives: 370Z 6SPD Touring Rep Power: 11	anyone else had a similar issue? maybe it is something mechanical?

12-18-2015, 07:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bad Boy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando Age: 33 Posts: 295 Drives: 370Z 6SPD Touring Rep Power: 11	Even if its not speed related, maybe there is something loose and it doesnt occur until higher engine vibrations at higher RPMs... but I guess I wont know till I bring the car back in.

12-18-2015, 09:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
Leingod A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Some Place Cold Posts: 16,060 Drives: In Circles Rep Power: 2684396	I had the same issue. 09 model also. Almost like a metal flapping noise coming from behind the steering column. Weird thing was that it went away on its own after a few months. I think after I did a basic oil change. __________________ I AM FLOOF! SOMEBODY FLOOF MY HORN!! ALL HAIL THE FLOOF!!I JUST FLOOFED ON THE FLOOR

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