[Help] Do I need CVT Service?

[CityCruiser]

Hi guys,

I've just bought 2012 Lancer ES CJ MY13 Automatic last week from used car dealer. It has 81,000KM on it.

So far so good, engine is smooth and responsive. I really love this car, however there's a noise coming from under the hood and I'm worried it has some serious issues there. For lack of better description, the sound goes "rrongg..." like a hollow metal pipe vibrates to another metal. It's not that loud, but definitely noticeable (I didn't really hear it during test drive).

It only appears when:
1. Gear is set to D or even Sport mode
2. Hit 1,200 RPM and gone around 1,500 RPM
When I park and rev to 1,200-1,500 that noise is unheard.. Since it only exists when the gear is D, I'm worried it has something to do with the CVT.

What's your thoughts guys, what could possibly the issue here?
Is anyone here ever experienced similar issues with me?

Thanks a lot.

[himynameisdaniel]

would probably be a little more help if we had audio of the problem.
can you replicate it whilst stationary, engine warm\cold?

any check engine lights? bad fuel economy or performance ? does the car have any modifications to engine or exhaust?

[mmjjee]

CVT's are much louder than standard Automatic transmissions.
Its usually heard when just cruising.

But of course, not being able to hear the sound - it is hard to tell.

[CityCruiser]

No significant difference between cold and hot engine. I can't replicate it when stationery, very-very subtle, but loudest when I put it on D.
No check engine lights. Fuel economy is good, and it's still factory standard.

Ok, let me try to get the sound. I'm driving alone so getting the video might be a little challenge for me. Gotta wait till road's empty and clear.

Will update you guys when I have it.

[himynameisdaniel]

also check your CVT fluid and engine oil levels.

the CVT fluid must be checked while the engine is running and in neutral (please have the hand brake on )

for engine oil please have the engine turned off! and preferably cold.

[CityCruiser]

would probably be a little more help if we had audio of the problem.
can you replicate it whilst stationary, engine warm\cold?

any check engine lights? bad fuel economy or performance ? does the car have any modifications to engine or exhaust?

Hello,

I've uploaded the sound in YouTube https://youtu.be/axPL5hHLo3s

Any guess would be much appreciated. The noise is driving me crazy

[CityCruiser]

CVT's are much louder than standard Automatic transmissions.
Its usually heard when just cruising.

But of course, not being able to hear the sound - it is hard to tell.

Hello, I've uploaded the video via YouTube https://youtu.be/axPL5hHLo3s
Any guess would be ultra helpful, it's driving me crazy

[toc]

Isolate it some more - I'd be tempted to find a safe road that you can get to speed in, and drop it in neutral so you can be sure it's not bearing noise (i.e. with the tranny in neutral you are effectively ensuring the noise isn't related to wheel bearings, brakes, cv joints).
If there's no noise rolling at speed in neutral and it's there when in drive, then it's a safe bet whatever the noise, it's probably transmission related.

It needs to be said that rolling in Neutral is dangerous - so be ready on the brakes (braking will take longer when rolling in neutral compared to in gear as the engine is decoupled from the wheels).
Never do it with the engine off though.

The video whilst might be helpful - doesn't help identify the sound for me (i hear a slight noise at the start (but I thought it's mobile phone related)) and then road noise after it!

[himynameisdaniel]

i can hear that very low end sound but it is difficult to put my finger on what it could be.

it may be worthwhile to check easy things like the airbox being clipped in and seated correctly. it can be a pain and when not seated correctly can allow for air to bypass the filter creating a loud low end drone sound as air is sucked in.
also check for vacuum leaks.

next thing for me would be to lift the vehicle and test noise.

[CityCruiser]

Isolate it some more - I'd be tempted to find a safe road that you can get to speed in, and drop it in neutral so you can be sure it's not bearing noise (i.e. with the tranny in neutral you are effectively ensuring the noise isn't related to wheel bearings, brakes, cv joints).
If there's no noise rolling at speed in neutral and it's there when in drive, then it's a safe bet whatever the noise, it's probably transmission related.

It needs to be said that rolling in Neutral is dangerous - so be ready on the brakes (braking will take longer when rolling in neutral compared to in gear as the engine is decoupled from the wheels).
Never do it with the engine off though.

The video whilst might be helpful - doesn't help identify the sound for me (i hear a slight noise at the start (but I thought it's mobile phone related)) and then road noise after it!

Thanks, will try to do it on super safe condition.
You're right, the noise in the beginning is my mobile phone's noise.

[CityCruiser]

i can hear that very low end sound but it is difficult to put my finger on what it could be.

it may be worthwhile to check easy things like the airbox being clipped in and seated correctly. it can be a pain and when not seated correctly can allow for air to bypass the filter creating a loud low end drone sound as air is sucked in.
also check for vacuum leaks.

next thing for me would be to lift the vehicle and test noise.

Will do this tomorrow morning, thanks for the suggestion.

[CityCruiser]

Isolate it some more - I'd be tempted to find a safe road that you can get to speed in, and drop it in neutral so you can be sure it's not bearing noise (i.e. with the tranny in neutral you are effectively ensuring the noise isn't related to wheel bearings, brakes, cv joints).
If there's no noise rolling at speed in neutral and it's there when in drive, then it's a safe bet whatever the noise, it's probably transmission related.

It needs to be said that rolling in Neutral is dangerous - so be ready on the brakes (braking will take longer when rolling in neutral compared to in gear as the engine is decoupled from the wheels).
Never do it with the engine off though.

The video whilst might be helpful - doesn't help identify the sound for me (i hear a slight noise at the start (but I thought it's mobile phone related)) and then road noise after it!

Thanks, will try to do it on super safe condition.
You're right, the noise in the beginning is my mobile phone's noise.

Did the neutral drive/glide test, and the noise is gone when it's N. Damn...

To put another component to this mystery, I tried to driver super sensitively and the noise comes out only when in D and when I step on accelerate a bit. If I let it go and the engine hit 1,200RPM revving down, there's no noise. I only realised this when testing the N drive.

..sigh..

[toc]

That's a tranny issue...
Try a fluid change if your up for it - new fluid in trannys can do wonders to make them change better ( I speak from a manual trans tho, CVT are slightly different)..

On the flip side, it's not a wheel bearing or CV joint gone wrong .. not that it helps you much..

I've only read around here loosely that CVT fluid needs to be a specific fluid for Mitsu? So you might need to go to the dealer and buy the fluid..

[burfadel]

The fluid depends on the age of the transmission. CVTF-J1 CVT Fluid is pretty easy to get, it's the newer CVTF-J4 that's much more difficult. I think only the Castrol CVT fluid is the only 'easily' bought option for those transmissions at the moment (ensuring of course it says CVTF-J4 on the bottle). Also there are two different types of CVT transmissions, you can't go using Subaru fluid in a Jatco transmission :S.

[CityCruiser]

Brought my car to workshop (I gave up on finding the source myself) and surprisingly the issue is the Drive Belt!

The darned belt is already stretched and flapping around on certain RPM, thus knocking the heck out of the engine bay.
Maybe similar with this smiley

The mechanic is recommending carbon cleaning to smoothen out my engine vibration.