seriously, what is that noise?

[racer x 3]

ok guys, i'm gonna apologize in advance for the lengthy post....

i drive a 2004 mazda 3 s, ATX with manual shiftgate...it runs smooth, shifts smooth, idles smooth but there's an awkward noise.

it occurs when i suddenly BUT moderatly acclerate (1/4 to 1/2 throttle) especially in 2nd and third gears. i have noticed it only during two "trips" now in the past month. it is difficult to repeat on an incline and almost impossible to repeat on level ground. each time it lasts less than 2 seconds or so.

it is a chunky metallic sound. comparable in pitch/tone to two little wooden building blocks clunking together... or when you "clack" your tongue against the bottom of your mouth... but you would have to do that in rapid succession, faster than is humanly possible. the "volume" is comparable to about 3 or 4 on the stock radio. it reminds me most of a really quiet version of a medium sized utility truck taking off from a light or something or like a super quiet "jake brake"...... i engage in a stop light race probably 2 times a week... i NEVER "neutral drop" the thing and hardly ever really abuse it. sounds like it may be coming from the tranny or like it may be a loose "linkage" in the drive shaft or something......i''l try to elaborate more if there are any suspicions...

any thoughts?
thanks a lot guys,
-matt

 

[Newter]

Does it sound anything like the engine dieing when you don't give it enough gas?

 

[racer x 3]

Does it sound anything like the engine dieing when you don't give it enough gas?

it does have that stereotypical clunk to it but no man.... cuz no problems when i come to a stop or travel at any given rate of speed.... and all across the tach its fine.... its just the 1 second or two of sudden moderate acceleration.... i dont hear it whe i go WOT nor when i just kinda kiss it to move a bit in traffic





wierd

 

[Rotus8]

Have you got something rolling around somewhere? A coin down a defroster duct? Something in a door pocket? Your first description sounded like there may be something loose.

 

[racer x 3]

Have you got something rolling around somewhere? A coin down a defroster duct? Something in a door pocket? Your first description sounded like there may be something loose.

i hadnt thought of the coin in the defroster duct.... but no, its definatly more up towards the front... and it sounds much heavier than a coin..... like ummm... s***


eek man...

thanks for the thoughts so far though guys.... keep it comin if oyu can

 

[ReFlex]

Could it be the LSD?

 

[Hikaru9]

Could it be the LSD?

Except that his Mazda 3 doesn't come with one. >_<

 

[shalezoom3]

i saw you have some engine mods....did you make sure the intake is secure and all wires of the BCD is fastened?

 

[racer x 3]

a little more insight....

to this issue....

while all of your recommendations are great, nothing hits it yet...

with more "experimenting" i have noticed that it can be replicated pretty easily under "heavier" load, which explains my first statement regarding driving up inclines. for example, it is easier to repeat the sound when suddenly (but, again, not WOT) accelerating from say 20mph in 2nd or 40 mph in 4th, as opposed to like, i dunno. 50 in 3rd.

that being said i am wondering if it may be a problem (or simply "no longer new" normal operation) with the timing chain? or the AT transaxle?

its kinda becoming one of those things where you tell your doctor that it hurts when you do "this" and he says, "well, stop doing that"
.... but its still un-nerving....

thoughts?

thanks guys

 

[shalezoom3]

you still under warranty??

 

[racer x 3]

you still under warranty??

yeah, so far.... so i know i should just explain it to mother mazda and take it in.... but i just dont quite trust the guys where i go for service, to be able to diagnose and fix it.....

i know its inevitable but i'm just tryin' to get a handle on it first....

 

[shalezoom3]

ohh I agree....just seeing. Hopefulley somebody has another idea what it may be.

 

[racer x 3]

ohh I agree....just seeing. Hopefulley somebody has another idea what it may be.

no worries at all man... believe me i appreciate any input i can get

 

[ReFlex]

Except that his Mazda 3 doesn't come with one. >_<

Good point...I didn't feel like looking it up lol

 

[jhowey]

I am sad to hear all of the disappoint everyone has in the forums with there dealership, I know we have some of the best techs in the state, and probably in the nation from hearing everyones lack of faith.