Rattling noise from outside under hood near the firewall

[pjrezai]

Hey guys, I feel like I am going crazy. Attached is a video. And the dealership says they can't hear it when driving. Basically, this video is with the hood up, on the outside of the car near where the firewall connects to the windshield. This one was taken when the car is charging (it doesn't happen at all times when charging, seems to only happen when it is doing thermal management). When I drive I hear something rattling, especially at very low speeds (5-15mph) since higher speeds mask the noise, but even at low speeds it is faint because I am inside the cabin, but I can hear it distinctly and it is driving me crazy. The mechanic who drove it says they don't hear anything. Even though they have replicated the sound when the car is at a stand still (yet they say since it isn't constant they won't do anything even though it is under warranty!!!. Has anyone had a similar issue? Someone told me it could be the fresh air intake valve or some valve / actuator. (2021 Taycan Base)

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[pjrezai]

Please any help would be appreciative!

 

[chun]

Can't hear anything... no rattle.

Sounds like normal coolant pump noise. You do realize that the car is not actually 100% silent?
When charging/driving, the inverter is functioning, the coolant pumps and the heater is functioning.

Not sure what seems wrong to you. Are you talking about that tiny squeking noise? Maybe a valve in the coolant manifold, that is a bit squeaky, doesn't necessarily mean anything is broken.

 

[pjrezai]

Hi thanks for the response. I understand the car is not 100% silent. Yes the squeaking noise. The other noise is 100% normal and part of charging/driving. This squeaking noise was not occurring, nor was I hearing this noise within the car while driving, until recently. I have a feeling that while parked under a tree some debris has gotten into places where it shouldn't.

Is there any way, if you could, see if your car makes this noise? Although is occurs consistently when driving at all times or certain times when during charging, I can also very briefly replicate by popping the hood, putting the AC climate temp to low, then making sure it is off Auto, and just pressing fan speed once to get one bar. Within a few seconds it will make this squeaking noise a couple times near the firewall/windshield on the outside of the vehicle. If you can't, or won't, I understand. I just wanted to see if it is normal as you say. And if it is the noise I hear inside the cabin when driving because it seems to be. I appreciate all your help!

 

[chun]

You could have a rock or something stuck in one of the fans of the radiators, left or right.

They are visible from the wheel arches, you can have a look if there's anything obvious stuck in there. You can try cleaning it with a pressure washer at a manual car wash, though don't use the highest pressure.

Otherwise, if you think the noise may be coming from somewhere else, you can try removing the plastic trim around the "frunk"/front trunk for more precise pin pointing.

 

[DerekS]

FWIW I hear the sound in your video, and haven’t heard it on any of my three Taycans.

I am quite noise sensitive too.

Second opinion from another shop?

 

[pjrezai]

FWIW I hear the sound in your video, and haven’t heard it on any of my three Taycans.

I am quite noise sensitive too.

Second opinion from another shop?

Thanks! Yea the dealership called me and say "yea we tested two other Taycans and they make that noise".... I don't believe them and will go in and see myself

 

[pjrezai]

You could have a rock or something stuck in one of the fans of the radiators, left or right.

They are visible from the wheel arches, you can have a look if there's anything obvious stuck in there. You can try cleaning it with a pressure washer at a manual car wash, though don't use the highest pressure.

Otherwise, if you think the noise may be coming from somewhere else, you can try removing the plastic trim around the "frunk"/front trunk for more precise pin pointing.

Hi, thanks for the follow up reply! They say they are aware of possibility that debris can get into the fans of the radiator and they say they have checked that. The thought though is that it feels like this noise is coming from near the windshield/firewall area, although I also realize that noise can travel in weird ways throughout a car.

I also removed the small plastic trim above the frunk area which is easy to remove, but you think i should remove the entire plastic trim around the frunk too?

If they are correct and this noise is coming from other vehicles too then it might not be the noise i'm hearing inside the car when driving, which makes it even more difficult to locate as the car needs to be in motion for the noise to be located.

 

[SSTaycan]

Just heard this today for the first time. Seems relevant. Car was charging and the sound was coming only from the left side not the right side. I stopped the charge and restarted, and the sound went away.

 

[DerekS]

Rocks/debris in the fan, I bet.

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