Hi guys,

I am re-posting this from another section on this forum. I recently changed the air filters, cabin air filter as well as put on new tires. I did this all on the same day and noticed after a while when driving there is a droning/humming noise coming 30 MPH and up. I initially thought it was my tires but the noise sounds more air related, either when you are accelerating or slowing down. I checked the install directions for the cabin air filter (TYC cabin air filter) and I double checked that the "UP" side is indeed facing upwards. Thats what it said on the instructions so thats how I placed it. The air filters are very simple to replace so I dont see how I can incorrectly replace them. The tires are brand new and I tried rotating and I even got one changed thinking it had a defect in it but the noise definitely doesnt seem wheel/tire related. Any ideas?

 

i would guess that if the tires are fine then it has something to do with the Air filters in the engine bay, maybe something stuck on it or a puncture, i have seen it before.

 

Can I rule out the cabin air filter? Is there any way that can trigger a noise. I will recheck the filters...they are brand new and did not have any punctures. Only thing I can think of is that some thing got inside while I was changing them.

 

Ok if you have the climate control OFF and the air mode set to recirculation(i.e no fresh air from outside) then from MY understanding there should be no air to pass through the incabin air filter and if you still hear a noise then it cannot be coming from the filter.

Besides if it was the cabin filter then you would hear the same noise even when you had the cars fan on as air would be passing through the filter the same way as when you're moving and outside air is passing through it, hope that makes sense, and as you said there isnt much to mess up with when installing the incabin filter.

 

Thanks for your help. I am ruling out the cabin air filter since I drove with CC off and air circulation on and I was able to hear the humming noise. I rechecked the air filters and they seem fine. I am leaning towards a defective tire or possible bad wheel bearing. The noise sounds air related though. I am going back to the tire shop and if that's doesn't do anything then I am going to the Infiniti dealer.

 

is the sound only when you drive? What if you're idling or parked with the engine on?

 

Recheck the engine air filters paying attention to the foam seal on the filter housing. I had one fail on the my 08 which Infiniti replaced. I would think that you would probably feel something like a belt shift in a tire.

 

Guys, it turned out to be my front wheel bearings. It did not sound like it but the tech confirmed and the car is now fixed.

 

Sounded a little like a cavitating oil pump? I had one on my old 87 Civic right after hitting a pot hole. In this case what happened is a square section of pavement that was about a foot wide, long, and deep popped out and a road grader moved it away during a snow storm. When it thawed it filled up with water. I hit it and bang it started to make noise. Even with the car jacked up it could not be felt by hand. With the front wheels hanging and driven it showed up big time. Glad you got it fixed since there can be some real issues if allowed to continue.

 

Yes, it sounded like a pump or even an intake related. I am not sure if I hit the curb hard or if i went over some bad potholes but the tech said that the wheel bearing was shot. They actually replaced both of the front ones since they said the other one was on its way out as well. It took them a while but they fixed it and no more noises. It just vibrates on the highway now but I think its tire balance related. Thanks for every one's help!

 

Other member did have air coming in from the windshield. check there.

 

Nissan sucks at wheel bearings...

 

I've had a wheel bearing replaced too. I don't think my noise was the same as yours but I did have a similar experience. Fixed under waranty.