It might be an exhaust leak that only makes the sound under load.

Either that or the tranny...

 

x2 with exhaust leak. I used to describe it as a "pitter patter" when I had a leak issue.

Exhaust was checked from the engine to the tips, no leak. This was checked x2. Once at the dealer, another by an independent muffler shop. I'm certain it is not a leak, the sound is only when it is under a very light load, low rpm.

I wish it were an exhaust leak, it'd be an easy diagnosis, but this is a straight out flutter noise, like cards or a rapid flapping bird.

Thanks for the replies.

 

x2 with exhaust leak. I used to describe it as a "pitter patter" when I had a leak issue.

 

Took it to the dealer again today. Paid out of pocket for a third exhaust leak check from engine to tips. Nothing. They said they couldn't hear the flutter sound (they don't give a s**t).

I'm at my wits end. Has no one else ever had this problem??

 

How are the motor mounts? Any chance the engine moves a little and something leaks then? How about the belts? Any frayed threads hitting something? Ditto drive shaft and u-joints. I don't know, just throwing out crazy ideas. Sometimes sounds aren't coming from where you think and they sound different when you are inside the car. Have you tried driving next to a wall with the window down so you can hear the noise reflected? I've done this before and it helped me tell where the noise was coming from. I've never had much luck with shops hearing noises. They aren't used to how your car normally sounds and don't care about little issues. And most of us aficionados are perfectionists about our cars.

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Ah, maybe I'm being silly, but have you thoroughly gone over the engine bay splash guards, sounds like a piece of it might be loose, or not installed quite right.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cha...e=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=fu4_U7GTOcmvsQS53IDIAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=785

 

...have you thoroughly gone over the engine bay splash guards, sounds like a piece of it might be loose, or not installed quite right.

+1

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Engine mounts checked out ok. Splash guards are not as tight as they probably once more, but I couldn't get it to replicate the sound I was hearing. The splash guards made more of a squeak/plastic rattle noise. Drive shaft was checked during my multi-point and given a green status.

Now, thinking crazy myself, could a solenoid be the culprit? If so, any specific one I should be checking?

 

*********************

 

Sad to hear...

 

You deleted the post about dropping a valve seat? So the sound you heard was the valve going bad? Hope you can get it taken care of without too much cost.

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Oh fudge i hope not, mine has made a flutter sound when I start the engine, 4 times now in the past 2 months.
Sounds like a bird flapping in the engine bay, goes away after 7 flaps? About a second or two. Doesnt do it while driving, and no codes. Doesnt look like anything is off/loose/frayed/abnormal in the engine bay.

 

Also, check if noise is from valve tappet.