Intermittent noise in cabin. Possibly gearbox?

Med3 · Post Mon Jul 18, 2022 7:39 am

My 2008 Citroen C3 has recently started to make a noise once it had warmed up and the car going over 60mph. It is a whistling noise that sounds like wind blowing through reeds (or panpipes). It gets quite loud in the cabin. The weird thing is it isn't constant. Some journeys it happens all the time once warm and other times it does not do it. I have noticed it can briefly make the noise or change the pitch of it when I turn the steering wheel to the right. I took the car to my local garage and they suggested it could be the gearbox. I contacted the garage I bought the car from (who changed the gearbox just after I purchased the car) in case there was any warranty on it but they said they got it from Ebay. They were not interested in helping and have washed their hands of it.
Would you say it was the gearbox? I would think if something was worn it woukd make the noise all the time. Any suggestios or help would be appreciated. Thanks

C3driver52 · Post Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:01 am

Med3 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 7:39 am My 2008 Citroen C3 has recently started to make a noise once it had warmed up and the car going over 60mph. It is a whistling noise that sounds like wind blowing through reeds (or panpipes). It gets quite loud in the cabin. The weird thing is it isn't constant. Some journeys it happens all the time once warm and other times it does not do it. I have noticed it can briefly make the noise or change the pitch of it when I turn the steering wheel to the right. I took the car to my local garage and they suggested it could be the gearbox. I contacted the garage I bought the car from (who changed the gearbox just after I purchased the car) in case there was any warranty on it but they said they got it from Ebay. They were not interested in helping and have washed their hands of it.
Would you say it was the gearbox? I would think if something was worn it woukd make the noise all the time. Any suggestios or help would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi

I would do a little more investigating with the help of a passenger.

You can't really do too much as a driver because the driver is doing the driving , but a car knowledgeable passenger can be a real help. They can put their attention to the sounds and when it happens and more importantly, where it's coming from. Front or rear (sit in the rear seats), near side or offside. Open windows, close windows etc. Is it possible to record the sound near its source (where it is loudest) and then upload it to youtube (turn the radio off

)

It could be something as simple as a under the body tray not fitted correctly, they are only clipped on, and it needs the forward movement of the car to generate enough wind to get the wind in the reeds (panpipes) sound. Opening the window may make the sound louder and it will also be heard in the rear seats.

Sounds from the engine bay will be less loud in the rear seats.

Ozvtr · Post Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:46 am

It could actually be wind noise. Something on the outside of the car could be disrupting the air flow and causing the whistle.

Is the noise coming from under the car or outside the car?

Is there any damage to the car that might disrupt wind flow?

Any accessories on the outside of the car like roof racks?

Any damaged door seals? Any doors that don't close properly?

Is it possible to make a video or audio recording of the noise?

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Intermittent noise in cabin. Possibly gearbox?

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