Droning sound at 60-62mph

[Sweeps]

My MKV Jetta is making a droning sound right at around 60mph. Speed up, and it quiets down, same if you go slower.

I thought tires, but it just doesn't sound like it. The Michelin Hydroedges still have about 7-8/32 of tread, and are wearing evenly.

Could it be exhaust? I had an aftermarket exhaust on my old BMW 3 series, and hated it, because it droned at certain highway speeds.

EGR Cooler was replaced 30,000 miles ago if that makes any difference.

Couldn't hear any noticeable exhaust leaks at idle, but maybe I'll have a closer look.....

 

[Seatman]

Try swerving left and right (when safe) and see if the noise comes and goes, if it does it's a wheel bearing, if it goes quiet when you turn left it's the left bearing and the opposite for the right usually but you can jack it up and spin the wheel to confirm. Jack up the side you suspect then start the engine, put the car in 5th gear and let the clutch out gently then rev it up gently, you'll soon hear it.

 

[Sweeps]

I don't think it's a wheel bearing, (at least I am pretty sure it's not) although good thought.

I've had bad wheel bearing's, and this sounds a bit different, doesn't go away / get louder when you turn.

 

[Sweeps]

Based on this thread:

https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=291389

Could be wheel bearings, I guess the turing left and right, and the jacking the car up and giving the top and bottom of the tire a push/pull doesn't always work for a diagnosis.

Will see if the noise gets worse.

 

[Alchemist]

Your symptoms make me think of a rear wheel bearing. I had one go and it had a narrow speed range where the whole car seemed to be buzzing.

Paul

 

[JASONP]

check the exhuast hangers and CAT, could be some resonance from there too

 

[Dble00]

CV joints? or would you feel that in the steering wheel

 

[Joe_Meehan]

If all else fails, I would suggest rotating the tyres (and wheels) front to back and see if there is a difference.

If you can change a tyre, you can check that one out for free.

However my money would be on a bearing.

 

[Ski in NC]

Drone is why they put balance shafts in the passat. This engine does not have them, right? My alh has a bit of that at the same speeds. If bad, look for faults in motor mounts, exhaust hangers, etc. Things that keep motor vibes out of car structure.

 

[dadsdiesel]

I have to agree with Ski -

Without going into a long story....it's easy to rotate your tires - then see if your sounds changes or comes from a different direction.

Finding these problems is a process of elimination - with this you can (or not) eliminate a tire as a problem and go from there.

 

[Sweeps]

So I don't think it's the tires, changed the pressures, rotated them, nothing changed.

Also, if I throw it in neutral, the sounds goes away, as well if you are coasting down a hill, and ever so slightly touch the throttle, I can get the sound to go away as well.

In 4th gear at the same RPM (20km/h slower), it doesn't drone. In 4th gear at the same speed, but at ~750rpm higher, it seems to slightly make the sound, but there is more engine noise, so it's not as noticeable.

More and more seems like exhaust to me.

 

[Ski in NC]

Do you get the drone if you sit in car and rev engine to same rpm as 60-62mph?

 

[Sweeps]

Do you get the drone if you sit in car and rev engine to same rpm as 60-62mph?

No, don't get it if I do that.

 

[R-Sixxer]

I understand this is an old thread, but the problem wasn't resolved and I'm experiencing the same issue as described by the OP. 2006 1.9tdi BRM (noise started before the first timing belt change and continues after replacing the camshaft @ 170,000kms)
I've determined that the drone is only present at 2000-3000rpm @ 80-120km/h when the throttle is ON and seems to respond with throttle position ie: more throttle= louder drone. While cruising at that speed the clutch was then depressed and the engine revved through the rpm range but the drone didn't appear. The drone also resonates with a vibration I can feel through the steering wheel and gas pedal. Mileage hasn't been affected greatly.
Maybe a little more information will make it easier to diagnose.

 

[jobob307]

I would be changing transmission fluid ASAP.

 

[jack1]

check the exhaust flexi joint , see if theres any excess movement , sometimes they seem ok at first but if you can pull on the pipe you might get a little movement as the inner joint can break up

 

[lbirunner]

I had a similar drone (same symptoms you describe). I also could not resolve where it was coming from.

But when I removed my EGR cooler and associated plumbing because of an anti-freeze leak, I discovered an exhaust leak on the short pipe (EGR input?).

It wasn't until after I blocked off the EGR before I realized I no longer had the drone problem. Finally!

 

[R-Sixxer]

Normally I wouldn't be opposed to removing the EGR, but up until this point based on what I've read, unless you have a problem with it directly, removing the system won't improve anything. I'll check the flexi joint first and go from there.
Will keep the gang posted!

 

[rev600]

motor mounts? I had dogbone with bad rubber do that...

 

[lbirunner]

Normally I wouldn't be opposed to removing the EGR, but up until this point based on what I've read, unless you have a problem with it directly, removing the system won't improve anything.

I'm not suggesting you remove your EGR cooler. I'm just saying that is where I found an exhaust leak that was the cause of my drone issue.