2011 Mazda 3 -- Gurgling/rattling noise when accelerating
 

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum -- I've tried to find answers to my question by Googling, etc., but was hoping maybe to find some extra insight on here... the info I've found so far hasn't exactly helped much.

I just recently got a "new" slightly used 2011 Mazda 3 itouring (shift-able automatic), and whenever I accelerate (especially in the low rpms), I get this weird noise that I can only describe as gurgling/bubbling or rattling. It doesn't seem to affect the actual acceleration at all, but it does concern me a little. It's the loudest when I'm accelerating through the first few gears after stopping. When I'm on the highway I can't really hear it, so I don't know if it stops, or if the highway noise is just drowning it out.

***EDIT: the noise is coming from the front passenger side of the car.

I've read on some sites that it could be anything from loose bolts, belts and hoses, to an exhaust gasket or mount.

Has anyone hear experienced anything similar? I may bring it back to the dealer to have them check it out and hopefully correct whatever may be making the noise.

I should add that I live in MA, and yes, it's cold here right now, but the noise happens even after the car has been driven for over an hour at a time, as well as in warmer temps.

I'm obviously a little frustrated since I just got this car -- I did test drive it a few times (as well as a few other 3's -- same makes/models), and they were all a little noisy, but I didn't notice this sound until I started driving it for real...

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Update:

I had my mechanic look the car over and nothing seemed out of place or anything. He did tighten the heat shield, but the car is still making the noise.

Could this be a fuel pump issue, or if that was the case, would the noise be constant instead of only when accelerating?

The mechanic rode in the car with me and drove it -- heard the noise, but didn't see what would be causing it. Trusted mechanic/friend, btw...

I find it hard to believe that this is just the way the car sounds because the gurgling noise turns into a whistle/squeal -- the same whistle or squeal you'd hear an old clunker make driving down the road. I know Mazdas can be noisy, but I thought that meant "road noise," not this type of thing.

I'm not confident that this noise is no big deal. I'm taking it back to the dealer tomorrow to see if they can take another look at it. Needless to say, this is really frustrating!

Still hoping someone out there may know what I'm talking about. Anything would be helpful! I'd like to mention a list of things for them to look over that the dealer tomorrow...

Thanks!

I'm not sure exactly what kind of noise you are hearing but I can tell you on my 2012 Skyactive 3 I do get noise while excelerating and I hear it at the same time you do. Do you hear it a lot and is the noise very loud? I only really get the noise when my window is open. If that is the case than what it could be (or what it is in my case with the Skyactive engine) is valve noise and injector sounds. Not sure with the non Skyactive engine, but with the Skyactive and most newer cars, a valve timing system and direct injectors and used. This leads to rapid clicking sound and/or bubbling sound which is simply the valves slapping

The noise is constant whenever I have my foot on the gas. It doesn't matter if the car's been on 5 minutes or 5 hours, it still will do it (temperature/weather doesn't matter either). I also hear it very loud inside with no windows open, although, the sound(s) can be heard outside as well -- I had someone listen.

The best way I can describe the noise would be a cross between a gurgling noise and an exhaust leak (only the exhaust seems fine). This noise turns into a high pitch squeal when holding the car at a steady speed or slowly accelerating... and sometimes just randomly.

Thanks for mentioning the valve noises -- not sure if that would apply to my car though... it's a 2011, don't think it has Skyactive.

I brought my car back to the dealer again this morning. I'm ready to scream with all this going on.

The high pitched squeal make me think you may have a crack in one of your plastic intake hoses. I had this issue with my old Miata...when the car was off and the hose wasn't pressurized, the crack was INVISIBLE. Only when the car was on could we find the hairline crack with some water and dish soap.

Thank you!

I'm going to call the dealer in a bit and ask that they make sure it's not something like this.

They noticed that the tensioner needed to be replaced, so they are going to slap a brand new one on, but I want to make sure all the bases are covered, so I'm having them check EVERYTHING. There's no way I'm bringing my car back a 3rd time for this!

Personally I wouldn't leave it to the dealer to take care of it because they are flakes. They just want the car out and they don't put the time into actually taking care of a problem. Like the previous guy said, take a spray bottle, fill it with a bit of soapy water and start spraying intake hoses. Or just take the intake hose off all together from the filter forward and see if that is indeed the sound. If you can make a video or something maybe I can help better. Also I doubt this would be it but from what I understand the passenger side top motor mount tends to fail. This would make a loud rattle.

Have you figured out the problem yet?? I have the exact same car model; and the same exact problem. I got it used and am trying to figure out the problem. Mine makes the noise at approx. 35-45 MPH and 1500-1900 RPMs when accelerating but no other time. Please someone help figure this problem out. I have a warranty but have encountered the issue of lazy auto mechanics. ANYONE!?!?

This is the noise I get when driving...I was power braking in the video to produce the noise....need help

I have the exact same problem, this noise can be heard
between 1600 and 1900 RPM in almost any gear and temperature,passenger side 90% sure.
My car is a 2.0L 2011 mazda 3 sedan GX everything stock.
It is driving me crazy, I feel like i'm driving
a beat up old car even though I only have 25000KM
Went to the dealer ralready once he was sure it was a heat shield
plate, told me it was loose, I was sceptic, I was disapointed to be wright!
So I tywrapped a recorder under the hood, went for a small drive
and it didn't took more to clearly record the culprit noise.
Here it is to share. Any ideas anyone? Any fix so far?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY_up...ature=youtu.be

Anybody know what produces that noise ????

I'm having the exact same issue (same sound as in both videos) in my recently purchased 2010 GX sedan. Have you folks had any luck determining the cause?

In my case it was the tensioner / pulley assembly.
I don't know if it's allowed but here is a link to a different forum where I describe
more what the resolution was. Have a look

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...Revs&p=1068640



I'm now extremely happy I feel my car is like it should

I had this problem with two Mazdas, one a 5, the other a 3 I just purchased. I did some research on forum's just to gauge what the problem could be. I read that it could be a faulty mount, tensioner assembly, solenoid valve etc. Some good starting info to take to the service center here in Moncton. They took it in and found the issue. "Road tested, found accesory belts noisy.Checked on hoist and found the accesory belt tensioner spring weak due to improperly machined internal parts,allowing it's belt to slip causing premature wear. The belt particles have corrupted the AC belt causing it to prematurely wear and causing gurgling noise. Replaced all belts and tensioner.Ok now."

My problem with the 5 was never diagnosed.Gone. My 3? Purrs like a kitten now. I have read that some people have had their tensioners replaced but problem still persists. Perhaps this will help you. I have to note that My left side trans mount was also prematurely deteriorated, which I had replaced. Whether or not that issue could be linked to the tensioner problem, is up for debate but I believe that it could be. Have your mounts checked to be on the safe side.

Cheers

I have this exact same sound on my 2010 Mazda 3i Touring. Of course I didn't notice it on the test drive, but did shortly after buying it.

I'm going to assume that I have the same problem as Angeluss1974 above. Could anyone give me an idea of what the cost was to get the belts and tensioner spring replaced?