Hi everyone,

As I am not a native English speaker I will try to explain my problem as good as I can

When I'm driving on the freeway ( at 120-130 kilometers per hour or 74- 80 miles) in heavy rain for about 25km, my car starts making a deep vibrating, buzzing, noise similar to a muffler with a hole in it. Sometimes it is as I am in a massage chair . The noise is at its hardest when I decelerate to 110km an hour at about 3000rpm (simply by releasing the gas pedal). If I am quick, I can repeat the sound by parking in neutral and giving gas to 3500rmp. When the car dries up the sound diminishes.

In dry weather, I can sometimes pick up the sound when I shift gears or when I try to stay on a hill without using the break pedal. (again the sound is at its hardest arround 2500-3000 rpm)

I'd really like to hear your thoughts and insights

Many thanks,

Jeroen


Edit: I have a civic from 1996 (a hatchback), with a 1.4 engine

 

Is this only when you hit the gas?
Then something may be loose or cracked in your exhaust.

 

It is when I hit the gas, go to 120-130km per hour and then just release the gas pedal, letting the speed drop between 110-100(around 2500-3000 rpm).

It's very similar to inhaling and exhaling, really . After shifting, and decelerating the car exhales and thereby makes the vibrating sound.

It also happens:

- when I hit the gas, then shift gear (at 2500-3000rmp)=> a little growl and then release.
- When I try to keep the car "still" on a hill without using the breaks, making sure the rpm is around 2500rmp

When the car dries up, the sound steadily disappears (it does not take on enough water on secondary roads)

Note that the sound is at its hardest when I have been driving in heavy rain.

Sorry for my poor English, I hope my explanation makes some sense. My local car dealer is quite puzzled as well

 

bump, maybe someone has another idea

 

do you have an aftermarket exhaust? could be that vibrating against your bumper.

 

Yes, you are correct, my original exhaust has been replaced recently (after it fell out under the car ). I am quite sure it vibrated back then as well but that was probably because the exhaust was failing. Back then, it wasn' t that bothering(only the exhaust at the rear of the car, the rest of the exhaust system was fine)

The new one (made by Bosh)has a little hole in the back, supposedly to avoid overpressure and to release "water" (condense?) inside the exhaust . The car dealer (was not a Honda dealer) said no water could get in, only out.

I'm glad to hear no one is thinking of a serious, expensive faillure.
Next week Honda is going to examine the car again, closing the little hole in the back.

Of course I'll report back as soon as I have news!




Modified by Jeroen1000 at 3:12 AM 10/27/2006