We are looking at a used (9k miles) 2009 RDX. When standing outside the car, esp. to the rear, there is a very faint high pitched noise.

My first suspicion is that this has something to do with the exhaust. I've never owned a turbo car before but I know there are some kind of wastegate or something in the exhaust system.

Any ideas if this is "normal" or if we should have it checked out before we purchase?

 

im guessing you hear it while the car is idling?

no matter what you should get a used car checked out before you buy

 

you will only hear high pitch noise everytime the turbo gauge goes up and when you release the gas pedal you will hear the BOV or bypass valve.

 

if you dont know what it is have a certified acura tech check it out. your buying it used so maybe you want to look at a certified one with a warrenty instead of buying from a non acura dealer. all certified acura's have a 100k powertrain warrenty.

 

It could be the fuel pump... mine started doing the same a while ago (17K miles or so). Someone here mentioned that you might need to replace the fuel pump altogether... both of them.

 

I just bought an 07 with 30k on it and it too does this same thing! I pointed it out to the sales guy but he brushed it off. I forgot about it later but luckily didn't/haven't had issues with it. To me it does sound like a fuel pump. Not sure if I should concern myself any further?

 

I hear that same high pitched whistle as well. It has two different pitches actually. It seems to have one a little lower when at a lower idle speed and a higher pitch when the idle increases slightly.

You can really hear it when parked and idling in your garage with the driver's side of the car near the wall. The sound seems to be more obvious when standing near the driver's door (or sitting in the driver's seat with the window down).

I am taking mine in tomorrow for an oil change at the dealership and I am going to ask them about it.

 

Mine has a whistle when idling, always has. I always thought its normal and sounds cool, but if it is fact a fuel pump like some of you say, then I'm definitely having the dealer replace it.

 

Rpeete, You're near me. What dealership do you go to? Mullers?

I really think its a fuel pump and it just might be its nature. I've seen high horsepower cars with turbos that have pumps that "whine" like this. It might be that Honda, in their typical fashion is being overly cautious with this being their first turbo car and have offered a fuel pump that flows more than it needs to for a car of this output-but its better to flow more fuel than less, especially on a turbo car. I'm not going to worry about it too much unless maybe someone says something alarming.

Anyone know the technical specs on the pump? LPH rate?

 

got the same thing here on my 2012 rdx..sorry to bring an old thread back to life but any updates on this?

 

Fuel Pump… I was concerned hearing the same sound while my 08 idled. Took a look at my neighbors 09 RDX and it makes the same high pitched whine.

Typically this is due to a high performance / output pump, common in modern forced induction vehicles.

looking for the specs on our fuel pump… so far no info.

 

i've started noticing a similar noise last week...2011 rdx...sounds like a high pitch buzzing sound...happens all the time and I can hear it best outside the driver side door...underneath the car...did anyone take it in to the dealership and confirm if it's the fuel pump and whether this is within spec or not?

 

This is very common, its the fuel pumps. The RDX has a high pressure dual fuel pump system. No need to worry.

 

I'm going to bring it in to confirm. I'd feel much better if it had this noise from day 1. But for a car to develop new noises leads me to believe that something is out of spec.

 

Make sure you use premium gas. This illiminates a lot of rdx turbo problems and noises.

 

I will check my 2009 RDX, and report back. I won't be able to hear anything, but the *official* driver will. When the fuel pump in my Chevy reached the volume that I could hear it, my dealer said time to replace it. And they laughed, as I could barely hear it, but the entire shop floor could hear it 100 feet away.

 

If not that, is your brakes stiff after not driving for a while? I got laid off and had a brake issue where the forums traced it back to a bad BMC seal, but I had zero money to get a new BMC gasket... So, I fashioned one out of a paper grocery bag, figuring it was the same flimsy material, but since I didn't do a good job cutting it, it produced a whistle every once in a while, especially when the engine turned off. So if it's not the fuel filter, try that.

 

I'm looking at pre-owned 2011 RDX that also has this high-pitched, very constant noise at idle. Can mostly be heard on the sides of the car (not so much in the engine area, although the acoustics could be playing tricks on the ear.)

Any thoughts? The RDX is also making a shushing noise upon acceleration - sounds like turbo issue - but I will pursue that in another post.

Thanks!
Brad

 

probably the owner never used premium thinking is ok... 2008 is a bit different than 2011 so I know mine requires premium or will cause many problems to the car and the high pitch. the pitch does sound on the sides... just the way the body frame and engine come together. yours may have a different fuel requirement. the only other high pitches is a fan belt issue or what ever regulates your air conditioning system. Some systems have 8 pullies one of which holds the air regulation when button pushed if fauty will sound a high pitch. Could be a single system control part. Sorry I am not using part names, but I don't make a habit of remembering those.

 

faulty pulleys can make high pitch sounds.

 

My RDX has done this since the day I brought it home over 3 years ago. It is an '11. Service dept. said it is normal with turbos.

 

I use premium and no high pitch... I se regular the high pitch returns.Turbos were made for premium unfortunately to the financial pocket known as gasoline...

 

My 2011 also has the high pitched whine. Started a little over a year ago. Had it checked and they didn't find anything wrong. It doesn't happen all the time, typically audible after a longer trip. Been doing it for quite a while, with no ill effects that I can discern, so...