Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Gram51
I have a Mitsubishi Colt 2007 semi automatic that has developed a loud whurring/whining noise whilst driving. It starts more or less as soon as you begin to drive, gets louder when accelerating and quieter when decelerating. It's loudest around 40/45mph then gets drowned out by the engine noise itself around 60/65mph. I've tried driving the car in manual mode and also changed the tyres around, both of which made no change.
I regularly run up and down a motorway to and from work, but have never heard this noise before. We have just been away for a week and the noise was there every day!
Any ideas on what could be the cause?
Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - gordonbennet

While you had the car jacked up swapping wheels round, did you spin each wheel up by hand to see if any noise could be heard or anything untoward felt?

Also switch engine off and coast in neutral for a bit to see if its still there.

Checked gearbox oil level?

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Gram51

While you had the car jacked up swapping wheels round, did you spin each wheel up by hand to see if any noise could be heard or anything untoward felt?

Also switch engine off and coast in neutral for a bit to see if its still there.

Checked gearbox oil level?

Never thought of checking the above but will ASAP.

As for coasting, it's difficult in these cars as they tend not to want to move too freely in neutral, they can slow down themselves fairly quickly without breaking if you take your foot off the gas pedal!!

Thanks for the tips.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Gram51

Hi again, been inspecting the wheels and found a bolt had sheared that fixes a stabilising arm onto the wheel frame assembly (the bolt fits through 2 x bushes and then through a rubber damper type thing in the middle) on the offside. Not sure of any technical names.

Made a temp repair for now until I can either get a part or see a garage to fix properly, so hope this was the problem.

I'm amazed we lasted all week travelling around the Lake District then coming home, without any catastrophe's.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - gordonbennet

Well found, surprised you didn't feel that, from the sounds of it the suspension arm in question is only held in place by the spring and the upper bush, wasn't it 'crabbing'.

How on earth did you make a temporary repair to such an important part, for goodness sake use the car minimally if at all till you get it fixed.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - gordonbennet

Meant to say, but my builders turned up...;)

Using the car whilst in this condition could be causing undue wear to other partsof the car, transmission, bearings, suspension lower arms, shock absorber etc.

Dangerous too.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Gram51

The temp repair was actually using a long enough bolt and washer to go through the anti-roll bar arm, through the rubber bush in between and then through the framework and other rubber bush and tightened with a nut.

I've just been to my local garage and had the car up on their lift. they claim my repair will suffice till they get me a replacement pair of bushes (hopefully by Monday), Sadly, they also discovered that the nearside wheel bearing had gone, which was more than likely making all the noise. So, they are ordering one of those as well. (bearing is around £120 + vat!!!).

Hopefully there isn't any other damage caused and I'll not drive the car till it's fixed, but only the noise was apparent during the week and no vibration/juddering - thankfully.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - gordonbennet

Good temp repair that well done.

Damn, these bearings are getting to silly prices now, sealed of course so unable to be repacked with grease and adjusted up every few years for those who could be bothered, oh no we couldn't have that could we..;)

Could have been much nastier, on many cars the front wheel would have collapsed outwards a' la' Moggie 1000, not only potentially causing an accident, but even at walking pace likely to write the front wing off as the wheel pushed out if nothing else.

Sounds like the car needs a thorough servicing.

Edited by gordonbennet on 14/07/2012 at 12:55

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Gram51

Yep, I guess it could have potentially been a lot worse and we're thankful that it wasn't and doesn't seem to have caused more damage.

I was surprised at the cost of the bearing, but when the mechanic explained that it was a larger sealed unit as opposed to a simple bearing, then the costs seems relevant.

I only hope they can repair it tomorrow or Tuesday without me having to drive it too much.

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - ShotgunRcolt

I to have this noise when I drive. When I switch off the car in neutral and coasting, the sound is gone, so I know it's not a wheel bearing. My colt is the 2007 ralliart version 1.5 tiptronic

Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving - Metropolis.

Might i suggest a divorce