Car problem, could I get any possible hints or advice?

[Deja Q]

My car has been developing a problem.

Over the last couple of months, it seems to be getting louder.

When I start the car and put it into "D", there's a p-p-p-p-p-p sound (like sticking out your tongue and blowing a raspberry). That goes away after a while. I also notice that, at higher speeds, I can hear the engine's tone sound different when I apply gas. That might be normal and I might just be hypersensitive to little noises these days.

However, as I'm driving, at ~50MPH there is a very noticeable low pitched rumble/growl noise that's present coming from the back that is definitely abnormal. I first thought it was the muffler as the sound is coming from the back of the car, but I determined that wasn't the case (the cloth-in-muffler test didn't reveal any leaks). And the sound seems to be from all around - possibly even the left side.

Could my fuel pump be going bad?

It's still driveable but I know something's about to give.

Thanks much!!

[toddzilla]

1. fyi

mufflers/exhaust don't have to leak to make funny noises.

[Don_G]

2. How Old Is Your Exhaust System?

The internal baffles of the muffler could be rusted out.

[Deja Q]

4. 9 years old, same age as the car.

Thanks, I will look into it...

[Don_G]

6. If It's Only The Internal Baffles

It's probably a repair that can wait and be done at a small muffler shop fairly inexpensively.

It could also be a universal joint as mentioned below and that would need to be checked out. Another fairly cheap repair but neccessary just so you don't get stranded somewhere.

[Zorra]

3. Hopefully, it is just a universal joint.

Easy cheap fix for a backyard mechanic on most vehicles.:)

[TrogL]

9. If it was the universal joint

You'd hear a big clank when you switch from drive to reverse.

[BiggJawn]

11. What kind of car is it?

Since it's a '95, unless it's a Crown Vic, caddy, or other land yacht, it won't have U-joints or differential in the back to act up...


The "raspberry" could be a hose come loose under the hood. the rear-end noise could be brakes.

[toddzilla]

5. could just be a heat shield

look for loose metal shielding around the exhaust pipes.

[Kali]

7. rumble from the back

rear end - U joint, most likely

Is the first sound you mention, when you first put it in drive happening while standing or when you start to move, if the latter I say U- Joint. Pretty easy to fix.

[Deja Q]

8. Thanks y'all!

I'll have it looked at tomorrow.

[pagerbear]

10. When it was my fuel pump

...it was more like a moan from behind the back seat. Even when I got rid of the body and had the exorcist do his thing, the moan was still there. (This was a big ol' Pontiac land-yacht--I miss that car!)

[Don_G]

12. We Don't Know

All we know is that it's a 9 year-old car.

Front or rear wheel drive? Ford, Foreign or Chevy (with all their individual quirks?) Bad gas in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida or Mississippi a contributing factor?

Fords and Chevys sound different than a Toyota or an MGB.