Car noise question

[cath]

My 2003 Saturn Ion emits a low hum from the tail pipe all the time. It even keeps on for about 2 sedonds after I turn off the car. The guy at the dealership said it was fuel injection, but I don't buy that answer. It could well be that the sound has always been there, but I'm just now noticing it.
I bought the car new, it has just over 10K on it, and I get it serviced regularly.

I love my Ion

[VWD]

Cath does it still have power, It's hard to say but I am thinking if Your exhaust is starting to plug You will relaese gases after the car is turned off , this the pressure is released, I am also thinking is the noise any kind of cracking noise then it may be your Cat coverter cooling off. I wish I could hear it.

[cath]

Vince- Car works fine. No crackling noises...just a low, steady stream of sound.

[nu2reef-n]

If your exhaust was plugged to the point where it held pressure for any length of time the car would not run. Most likely it is the fuel pump(located in the fuel tank or close to it externally).....Hope this helps you out.

[PSH]

Sounds like your fuel pump might be running for a few seconds after you shut off the ignition. Does it make the same sound if you click the key to the ON position right before you start it? Most likey nothing to worry about, but you never know.

[Junkzoo]

Ditto, I was thinking along the lines of fuel pump also,,,,,,

[Phishnoob]

Hey Cath,

Your fuel pump might run for a bit. Try and listen for a whirring sound under your back seat. The same noise might be present when you start the car...if it keeps on then that is the pump.

I think that if not you might have corrosion in your cat. Did you lose power?

This is time to get Tom over help you out, or any other folks that are handy down in the Carolinas.

[Loverotties]

It could also be the catalidic conveter cover that broke lose in one place that makes that sound.

[VWD]

Could be the fuel pump, also

[Phishnoob]

One other thing to check is to see if a heat shield is loose. Had that happen on my Miata and fixed it with some plumbers tape to stop the resonation.

Get someone with clothes they don't mind getting dirty to pinpoint this. If it is a low frequency it is tougher to find though.

Can you reproduce the noise when the car is parked and you rev the motor?

[Junkzoo]

Cath, first thing in the AM, turn the key in the car, to "on" (don't start it) and listen for the noise the fuel pump makes , and see if it is the same noise you are hearing,,,,It should not run long, so be ready,,it'll only run long enuf to pressurize the system,,,
If ya can't get anyone over to check it out fer ya, (and if you are due for a oil change) take it to one of those quicky change places,,,and have them listen to it,,since they will have a guy under the car anywho,,,doing the oil change,,,,Not prob a top notch trained car person under the car,,,but those younguns still have most of their hearing left,,,,,
Keep us psote das to what you find out,,,

[cath]

Originally Posted by Phishnoob

Can you reproduce the noise when the car is parked and you rev the motor?

OH yah! It goes "oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooo"

in a basso rather than tenor sound


Thanks for all those suggestions, guys. I'll listen and look out for them.

You're the best!

[Loverotties]

Let us know what you find!

[drsyme]

It is the Ion propulsion system!

[cath]

Originally Posted by drsyme

It is the Ion propulsion system!

hehehe prolly causing it to lose an electron