[adayfam]

Picked up a 1 year old 9k mile Transit 350 XLT passenger van last week and over the weekend discovered something quite annoying. You know that pulsating sound you get when 1 window is open in a normal car at 30+ mph? I get that in the Transit.

Is that normal? Has anybody ever tried to diagnose the problem or locate where the air leak is? It's driving the whole family nuts.

 

[klp]

That sounds like you ought to take a trip to the dealer. Could be the doors are not latching properly.

Mine doesn't do that.

 

[yelnam]

I noticed that on one of my test drives (empty cargo van). Still haven't gotten mine and fingers crossed. Good luck.


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[jonsobi]

This is a known problem. There is a post covering it, search vibration humming noise.

My van has the problem. No dealer has been able to correct it. It sounds like a sub-woofer. It is less annoying now than it has been before. I can't explain why.

 

[adayfam]

This is a known problem. There is a post covering it, search vibration humming noise.

My van has the problem. No dealer has been able to correct it. It sounds like a sub-woofer. It is less annoying now than it has been before. I can't explain why.

Skimmed the thread, but not the problem I'm having. This isn't engine noise. This is rapid fluctuation in air pressure that results from the cabin not being sealed. Under 30 mph, it is non-existent. Above that, the moving air outside the van creates negative pressure inside the cab kicking off a cycle of air pressure oscillation that's **** on your eardrums.

Taking the van in for something else today - I'll mention it and see if they can do anything about it.

 

[brownbear]

My cargo van doesn't do that at all.

I'd have a good look at all the seals around the doors and see if they un-seated or sitting oddly.

 

[EddieZ]

I've begun to wonder if the cabin air exit (hidden under the right - and maybe left - rear low plastic exterior molding; no one's looked, but, we envision it as maybe a flapper valve) might be cycling opened-closed when it shouldn't -- possibly suction from passing air.

 

[73shark]

If it just does it when the window or windows are open, it's just an environmental effect that varies with vehicle speed and the outside wind conditions. At least that's been my experience with most of the vehicles that I have had over the years.

 

[adayfam]

I've begun to wonder if the cabin air exit (hidden under the right - and maybe left - rear low plastic exterior molding; no one's looked, but, we envision it as maybe a flapper valve) might be cycling opened-closed when it shouldn't -- possibly suction from passing air.

I'll look for these when I get the chance. I didn't know these existed!

If it just does it when the window or windows are open, it's just an environmental effect that varies with vehicle speed and the outside wind conditions. At least that's been my experience with most of the vehicles that I have had over the years.

My problem is that this is happening with all windows closed.

 

[73shark]

Sorry but when I saw the words open windows I just assumed that was when you were experiencing the sound. The only other thing I can think of that would make a similar sound is a tire that has blistered the sidewall.

 

[joefromga]

I don't think it's air pressure. Opening a window is way more air movement than a leaky seal.

Could be something wrong with the vent system for ac but it would seem easy to find if it's that bad.

 

[brittles]

I've begun to wonder if the cabin air exit (hidden under the right - and maybe left - rear low plastic exterior molding; no one's looked, but, we envision it as maybe a flapper valve) might be cycling opened-closed when it shouldn't -- possibly suction from passing air.

That would be my guess.

 

[Radioman]

My 2012 Expedition has the wind buffeting with any one window down. My 2016 Transit MR cargo van only has wind noise with either window wide open or both open fully. I just adjust them to about 1/4 down and noise is not a problem above 30 mph. I have noticed that the rubber seal at the bottom of the rear right hand door has come loose and is a source for aiar movement. I will be resealing it. Only have 7500 miles on mine.

 

[adayfam]

Dealership "couldn't hear" the noise, so they asked me to come take the tech on a test drive. It's more of a "feel it in your eardrums" problem than a "hearing it" problem. The tech they sent me out with couldn't hear it either, even though I could quite easily. It's not as bad as a window being open in a large vehicle, I'll give him that, but he should have heard it. Needless to say, they're not even going to attempt to fix it, so I'm on my own apparently. I'll open it up this weekend when I have more time.

 

[Batman]

I have the same problem and my dealer used the same excuse, they cant hear it...
But now that I've read this thread it brings back a memory of cleaning a lot of dust from the inside rear driver door after a lot of dirt road driving. It made me think the seal was not tight against the door. I never thought it could also be the noise problem. I wonder how to check the gap?

 

[EddieZ]

...brings back a memory of cleaning a lot of dust from the inside rear driver door after a lot of dirt road driving. It made me think the seal was not tight against the door. I never thought it could also be the noise problem. I wonder how to check the gap?

I've noticed that I have a gap in the right rear door seal, too, near/above the latch. I noticed it partly because my van was darkened inside, with the back windows blocked with Reflecitx. The sun was shining brightly toward the back door. From inside, I noticed a slit of light down there. I can see on the door seal, that there's been some passage of road dust. Haven't tried, yet, to adjust the latch depth.

 

[klp]

Mine has an air gap along the bottom of one of the 60/40 doors. I noticed it the same as EddieZ, just happened to look and I could see sun shining through there.

Since most of the seal fits properly I will probably just put something under in that area to attain a solid seal.

 

[EddieZ]

Mine has an air gap along the bottom of one of the 60/40 doors. I noticed it the same as EddieZ, just happened to look and I could see sun shining through there.

Since most of the seal fits properly I will probably just put something under in that area to attain a solid seal.

Hey, you know what might work? That plastic "chrome" door edging that auto parts stores sell. You could pull away the rubber seal enough to expose the edge it sits on, then add a piece of the chrome trim, and put the seal back over it... if it will fit the added thickness.

 

[klp]

Yeah good call. I plan to find something to fit in there. I owe the trick to Ed China from the show Wheeler Dealers. He is my idol.

He fixed a leak in an Aston Martin using the same trick.

 

[adayfam]

Hey, you know what might work? That plastic "chrome" door edging that auto parts stores sell. You could pull away the rubber seal enough to expose the edge it sits on, then add a piece of the chrome trim, and put the seal back over it... if it will fit the added thickness.

Actually, I'm not familiar with this door edging - got an example handy?

Otherwise, I have a sliding rear door, not the 60/40. After I check the cabin air ports in the rear bumper, it sounds like I might be able to play the flashlight trick around the edges, though, to see if any light is sneaking through.