Odd engine noise

My 2007 Outlander XLS has an odd engine noise (best described as a squeal-like sound) which can be heard if the car is coming to a stop or moving slowly under 1000rpm while pressing the gas. The noise doesn't happen when the engine is cold. I took my Outlander to the local Mitsubishi dealer and the technician there said all the new Outlanders have the same noise. He was able to recreate the sound by holding the brake, shifting the car into drive, and giving the engine some gas until the noise was produced. I looked under the hood while he was recreating the noise and I couldn't isolate where it was coming from. When I asked what was the cause of the noise, he said something about the motor mounts and not to worry about the problem being the car has a 100k warranty. HMMM, it's not reassuring owning a car with less than 3500 miles with an engine noise that doesn't sound "normal" to the ears.

Any of you reading this post noticing the same odd engine noise?

-- John

When you said squeal, I would tend to think it was a belt
 
hmmm..I've not heard this noise..or at least not enough for me to notice.  I'll see if I can recreate it.  How loud is it?

It's more of a mechanical "squeal" rather than something a rubber belt would make. The noise isn't very loud from inside the passenger compartment but if you're standing outside, located next to a wall, or inside of the garage, you'll hearing it rather prominently. It won't be heard when the engine is cold . . . only when it's warm from driving.



 

  The only odd sound mine makes is while accelerating and going through gears, I believe it only does it past 3rd gear and when its above 50 degrees out side. It only does it for a brief moment while going through gears( for example:it goes into 4th, the RPM's drop, right after the RPM drops you hear it, it goes away after the RPMs catch up, you hit 5th, RPM's drop and you hear it untill the RPM's are stable again.). It sounds like slight rattle or clicking sound..verry faint and hard to notice unless you are looking for it. I have reved the engine while on neutral but can't seem to reproduce the sound, it will only do it once I hit 4th or 5th gear. I think this is normal and I've heard other cars make the noise, but it bothers me that I can't remember if it did it when I first bouht it or is it something new.

To recreate the noise I'm referring to: 1. Hold down the brake pedal (use left foot) and shift into drive. 2. Press on the gas pedal and bring the engine to 500 rpm. Keep the engine at 500 rpm and the "squeal" will be too obvious. Remember, the engine MUST be warm from being driven *and* the transmission must shifted into drive as neutral doesn't put enough of a strain on the engine.

I know all vehicle make some kind of noise but this noise is prominent and I don't think it's "normal" as the tech claims.

Are you sure about the 500 RPM?  That seems pretty low.  I idle at about 700

I tried a few times to recreate this, but couldn't
 
Fully warmed up, windows open, in drive, brakes on, and gave gas up to about 1500 RPMs (I verified that I idle at about 700)
 
I don't think it's normal and would seek a second opinion..sounds like a case of the dealer trying to brush you off

Thanks for your assistance bnilguy. You did everything that should have produced the noise. I'm planning to visit a different Mitsubishi dealer. If they also claim it's "normal" for all Outlanders, I'll ask them to pull one off the lot and show me that it makes the noise. I'll let you know how it goes.

I have noticed this noise as well...It is at very low rpms, and i believe the a/c must be on.....Only does it sometimes..

I placed a post similar to your problem: http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/m_148177/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

I tried to resolve this with the dealer without success. I still having the noise and it's annoying, but a the moment my outie still working normally.

On the page 2 of my post I uploaded audio recordings of the noise so, check if it is the same problem.

  If it makes you guys feel better, I've owned many new cars in my life, they all have a distinct personality when it comes to "noises". My 2004 lancer used to make a strange hizing sound when on iddle, my nissan sentra made slight burpy sound while the RPMs were low as well. And now, my outtie does this weird click click sound thats really hard to tell but its there when you hit about 45 and you shift gears when the RPMS drop you hear it, but once the RPMs catch up its gone....really weird.
 
  My advice would be not to worry about it, after all you have a 10/100,000 warranty on that motor, if anything does go bad before then, its free.

El Cajon Mitsubishi here in San Diego County was able to determine the source of my engine noise. It was a defective manifold which was promptly replaced. Kudos to this dealership for stepping up to the plate! Remember, the other local dealership said the noise was "normal" for all Outlanders and that I shouldn't worry about it since I was covered under a 10yr/100k warranty.

When I went to El Cajon Mitsubishi, I didn't get the "it's normal" answer like the other dealership. In fact, the service guy stated the noise was abnormal and started to look around in the engine and underneath the car to determine the general location of the noise. He assigned two service techs who were able to quickly identify and correct the problem. The dealership was very professional and friendly at all levels. They beat out the local Infiniti dealership (I have a G35 coupe) in fact!

Kudos to these guys. =O)