[2015 MSM]

Hello all..I have an issue that my dealer has given up on that is unacceptable to me. They are going to refer to an engineer, but in the interim could use some guidance.

The issue that I have is a noise that has developed in the last 6 weeks. It sounds like a flutter (metallic) or something that is vibrating/touching not turbo related.It appears to be on the driver side. Here is how to replicate the sound 100% for me.

Only happens when the car is on
Happens when the car is warmed up at normal RPM's
Happens when you put your foot on the accelerator with extremely light pressure (stop and go traffic)
Only happens when a load is put on the engine to the point that the car can creep and reproduce the noise
Does NOT happen when the car is stopped must be in gear and moving
When it first started it would go away after a few minutes and not happen again until it restarted; now it is ALL the time
Tech that worked on the car said he cannot hear it from the outside; my daughter said she could hear it from the outside (tech is older and states his hearing may not be what it used to be)


My servicing dealer has given up. Tech Line told them it was the fuel pump but has checked out as okay and not the source, the tech tried removing the windshield cowl and tried moving cables/wires/hoses to no avail.
As far as I know there has been no higher tech involved other than the technician

It is extremely frustrating and a deal breaker for me, I can not drive a car that makes this noise
An engineer may take 2 weeks before he gets to me
Any clues?
Thank in advance

 

[kmccart]

Have you noticed whether it happens when you turn the wheel, or one certain road surfaces? I had a front end noise that took a long time to figure out. I only heard it at certain times and usually when I turned the wheel. Eventually, we figured out that it had to do with struts or how they were seated or attached. Once they nailed that down (in May), the front end has been silent ever since.

 

[2015 MSM]

Have you noticed whether it happens when you turn the wheel, or one certain road surfaces? I had a front end noise that took a long time to figure out. I only heard it at certain times and usually when I turned the wheel. Eventually, we figured out that it had to do with struts or how they were seated or attached. Once they nailed that down (in May), the front end has been silent ever since.

Thank you for your feedback.

It does make noise while turning the wheel but only under the conditions noted, so it is not specific to the steering alone, seems to be specific to putting light pressure on the gas pedal similar to stop and go traffic.

 

[kmccart]

You might still want to mention it to your Service Advisor. The other thing I forgot to mention is that I only noticed it on certain road and parking lot surfaces. It would occur most noticeably on cement, but not so much on asphalt. i.e., the harder the surface, the more pronounced the problem.

 

[2015 MSM]

You might still want to mention it to your Service Advisor. The other thing I forgot to mention is that I only noticed it on certain road and parking lot surfaces. It would occur most noticeably on cement, but not so much on asphalt. i.e., the harder the surface, the more pronounced the problem.

We tried multiple surfaces at the dealership when trying to find the source, we tried different inclines/declines and soft/hard surfaces. I will mention it tomorrow when I collect my vehicle.
I advised the S/A to have the engineer bring diagnostic equipment to help find the source as him confirming that he hears the noise is no comfort unless it is pinpointed and addressed, it is likely something so easy to resolve but chasing it has been difficult, it's been at the dealer for a week!
The service tech did say he does not believe it is going to affect the vehicle (other than my sanity, lol) But I advised him, that thinking is not the same as knowing (remembering an old King of Queens episode).

 

[blankster]

There is equipment that mechanics use that "listens" and pinpoints noise. Also there is a TSB for gear "chatter" in the steering gear assembly.. That would only reveal itself on rough surfaces though.


Steering Gear Clatter-Type Noise Over Bumps on Extremely Rough Road Surfaces ? 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC | ford.oemdtc.com

 

[2015 MSM]

There is equipment that mechanics use that "listens" and pinpoints noise. Also there is a TSB for gear "chatter" in the steering gear assembly.. That would only reveal itself on rough surfaces though.


Steering Gear Clatter-Type Noise Over Bumps on Extremely Rough Road Surfaces ? 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC | ford.oemdtc.com

They changed out the steering gear based on the symptoms in the TSB (plus the steering wheel would click continuously). The noise was there before the steering gear issue and still exists after.

The dealer has advised during it's current 7 day stay that they have invested 16-20 hours "chasing" it. I do agree it is a lot, but I paid a lot for a defect free vehicle and it is under warranty...so I have done my part.

I have inquired of the listening devices and believe it or not here is what I have learned.

The techs that work on the car are paid by the job! Not salaried/hourly! So, as it was told to me they only get paid to fix stuff, they lose money by "chasing" issues such as mine! I was floored by that, so there is NO incentive for them to spend too much time to repair the vehicle.

The second thing is that they are responsible for buying/using their own tools, nothing is provided, and as far as I have learned they have no listening devices onsite. They did tell me that they have a NVH device but won't work for my issue.

This information is identical at 2 dealerships that I have been to in relation to my vehicle, one being a Lincoln/Ford dealership, the other being a stand-a-lone Ford dealership.

One thing that is factual from my point on the noise; it is a DEAL breaker, the noise is persistent and bothersome to say the least. It has been to the dealer twice for a total of 16 days.

 

[blankster]

Interesting, I thought I had the noisy steering gear problem because I felt a rattle going over bumps... It Turns out I had a rock laying inside of the under engine insulator/cover and it was rattling around.

 

[2015 MSM]

RESOLVED.

I went to collect my vehicle and the S/A said, go drive your car because the noise is gone...I was skeptical and stated okay.
Took the car and ran it through the routine that would produce the sound, and nothing! silence. Still skeptical I drove about 15 minutes more and declare the noise gone.
I went back to the S/A and asked him, what was the issue, he stated that the tech did not find the specific issue but did remove and reset many parts under the cover, including the cowl to the windshield, battery compartment, and the air box.
I went to seek out the tech to get his input, he advised that he found a hose that was shiny as it had been rubbing (I think it was power steering hose/line), he corrected it and rerouted the hose, put everything back together, drove it and it was quiet.
-he too was very happy, and admitted that he was lucky, but that sometime lucky works as well as being good, no argument from me!

 

[2015 MSM]

RESOLVED.

I went to collect my vehicle and the S/A said, go drive your car because the noise is gone...I was skeptical and stated okay.
Took the car and ran it through the routine that would produce the sound, and nothing! silence. Still skeptical I drove about 15 minutes more and declare the noise gone.
I went back to the S/A and asked him, what was the issue, he stated that the tech did not find the specific issue but did remove and reset many parts under the cover, including the cowl to the windshield, battery compartment, and the air box.
I went to seek out the tech to get his input, he advised that he found a hose that was shiny as it had been rubbing (I think it was power steering hose/line), he corrected it and rerouted the hose, put everything back together, drove it and it was quiet.
-he too was very happy, and admitted that he was lucky, but that sometime lucky works as well as being good, no argument from me!

To clarify- it was the power brake hose that was shiny-not the steering--