Grinding noise in Engine, please help!!!

[jonjon3174]

Hey all! I am a newbie here, but I have a 2013 Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo, with only 57,000 miles on it. A few days ago, it was acting really sluggish. No matter how much gas I gave it, it wouldnt pick up speed. So I got frustrated and plunged the accelerator to the floor, at which point it let out a really loud whine or whistle, hard to explain, and now, its make this grinding noise, like gears against each other or something. Has anyone else experienced this or know what this is? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[shoey]

Auto or manual? Does the engine still rev freely when in neutral?

 

[jonjon3174]

Auto or manual? Does the engine still rev freely when in neutral?

It is an automatic, and yes, it revs freely in neutral. Which leads me to believe its either a timing belt or something of that nature.

 

[gnonne]

2013's with the 1.4L turbo almost ALL have a bad seal between the engine and transmission, which leaks tranny fluid. If the fluid gets too low, you could have these symptoms. I had this seal replaced at 6,000 miles because I was getting a small puddle of fluid on the garage floor. No leaks or issues since.

 

[SuperFudd]

The turbo engine has a timing chain, not a belt.

 

[Tormach]

I wonder if the turbo got damaged (just a guess).
Do you have a CEL and code(s). Do you have a boost gauge or something like an ultragauge to monitor boost.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[gnonne]

The OP said the car revs freely in Neutral... This is most likely transmission noise.

 

[shoey]

It is an automatic, and yes, it revs freely in neutral. Which leads me to believe its either a timing belt or something of that nature.

When you give it gas now, do the RPMs still climb but you are not accelerating? Or does the engine seems to lack power under load?

 

[jonjon3174]

I wonder if the turbo got damaged (just a guess).
Do you have a CEL and code(s). Do you have a boost gauge or something like an ultragauge to monitor boost.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

No, no CEL or codes, which would be the case if it were the timing chain, I would think. And no, no boost gauge, stock dashboard.

 

[jonjon3174]

When you give it gas now, do the RPMs still climb but you are not accelerating? Or does the engine seems to lack power under load?

Oh no, I am scared to even drive it now because the noise is so loud, afraid something is about to burst out of the engine and cause more damage, costing more to repair.

The best way to describe the noise is picture a New Years Even noise maker, the ones you hold in your hand and spin around. But more metal sounding, not plastic

 

[shoey]

Oh no, I am scared to even drive it now because the noise is so loud, afraid something is about to burst out of the engine and cause more damage, costing more to repair.

The best way to describe the noise is picture a New Years Even noise maker, the ones you hold in your hand and spin around. But more metal sounding, not plastic

So the noise is coming from the engine?

Either way, it sounds like the next step is to get it towed to a mechanic. Good luck!

 

[Tormach]

So the noise is coming from the engine?

Either way, it sounds like the next step is to get it towed to a mechanic. Good luck!

Def agree with shoey.

guessing it sorta sounds like this video but worse. :sadbanana:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGhmm2RGUEI

 

[jonjon3174]

Thanks for all your help guys. Think I might have a better idea as to what might be making the noise I am talking about. If you check the below video, you can see at 2:37 the turbine is just wobbling around. I know its a Cruze, but I figured the turbos are set up the same way. And where the turbo is located, on the front, thats about where the noise is coming from. Guess the only thing to do is get it to the dealer. Good thing I have extended warranty on it just for such an occasion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpI3gpksOc

 

[Tormach]

Thanks for all your help guys. Think I might have a better idea as to what might be making the noise I am talking about. If you check the below video, you can see at 2:37 the turbine is just wobbling around. I know its a Cruze, but I figured the turbos are set up the same way. And where the turbo is located, on the front, thats about where the noise is coming from. Guess the only thing to do is get it to the dealer. Good thing I have extended warranty on it just for such an occasion.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpI3gpksOc

Ya, based on the noise you described in your original post.. my guess was the turbo gave out.

Yes, both the Cruze and Sonic have the same engine/turbo.

Good luck, it should be cover. Let us know how it all goes.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[BigLee]

Kinda sounds like the turbocharger to me as well.
If your car is still under 6 years since it was sold new,
you should be able to get it replaced under the
6 year/100K mile powertrain warranty.

I would talk to a local GM dealership first, and TOW it to wherever you plan to have it worked on.

 

[jonjon3174]

Thank you all! Turns out it was the turbocharger. It was bone dry and there were broken parts inside, hence the noise. The powertrain warranty covered it all because its good up to 100,000 miles, which my car only has 55,000. But they did mention that either my thermostat housing or something else was bad because I had antifreeze on the block and that it needed to be fixed as well. But thats for another day as I have to wait for a rental car to be available.

Thanks again for all your help.