i30 Owners Club

GOT PROBLEMS OR ISSUES? => PETROL => Topic started by: gw on July 28, 2010, 06:41:13

Title: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on July 28, 2010, 06:41:13
My petrol/manual i30 has a knocking noise in the engine bay.The problem was never fixed nor was the issue resolved by hyundai and the car is over two years old.All work was done under warranty and cleared by hyundai.Im sending this post to show other people just how far some car companies will go to prevent people from finding out the truth.The engine mounts were replaced and a sub frame member but the noise could'nt be fixed. The noise is only on i30's with manual transmissions.Several brand new cars were tested at the car saleyard and all the petrol/manuals had the same noise. The noise only occurs when the car is warm.It also occurs when driving off on a steep hill or steep driveway.It can be easily demonstrated by blocking the front wheels and letting the clutch out with the engine running. Next a group from hyundai head office [technical/customer service] Sydney came out to inspect my car.They got back to me and told me that the noise was a characteristic of the car ,the case is still open,contact hyundai again if the noise changes [diferent pitch].In other words they don't know what it is.The dealership guys were really great and  they went above and beyond what I expected them to do and they actually lost money on this job.Next I took  my car to an independant well respected mechanic who is really switched on and he said that one of the engine mounts is a FLUID engine mount which is the cause of the noise. He also said the  reason for having the fluid engine mount is to reduce engine noise from coming into the cabin hence a more quieter ride. You'd think that the technicians at hyundai head office would know this.Either they're very dumb or very smart.They most likely don't want the customers to force them to fix the problem. I previously owned a top of the range 2001 manual elantra for four and a half years and I never had any noise problems like this. There was a rattle in the boot which only needed to be adjusted and that was it.Its well known that in cases like this car companies will fix the problems on the quiet and in hyundai's case they will probably fit a better designed engine mount in the later models. It's probably a case of cost cutting and when you think about it it;s a design fault that hyundai don;t want people to find out about.But apart from all this I'm happy with my car and I just get used to the knocking noise.If the noise was there all the time then would have gotten rid of the car by now. I'm just sorry that the dealership wasted their money and time for nothing.
The dealership had my car for two weeks. GW.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Pip on July 28, 2010, 09:03:37
From what you say, it appears Hy and their dealer invested a lot of time and effort to find the problem for you yet you talk about "cost cutting" and conspiracy to deceive customers.

I can understand your frustration but I think your rant here is inconsistent with the response you've had so far from Hyundai.

Perhaps others here can confirm the symptom you describe which might lead to greater understanding and a path to a solution.

Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: bumpkin on July 28, 2010, 09:39:10
I agree with Pip.

You have also come straight onto this forum firstly with a rant at the owners and moderators about how difficult and sh1t this site is to use and then with a rant about your car, which in real terms does not match with the positive experiences of over 1000 members here (neither rant), some of which have had their i30's for over two years during which they have also been, dare I say, contented members of the forum.

All manufacturers will have the occasional Friday afternooner, if you also have one then you are only the second owner we have had with one (and no the other one did not have knocking engine issues).

Have you taken the revelation from your independent mechanic back to the dealer? If you have a faulty engine mount then it will be replaced under warranty and given that we have not heard of this issue before I would be keen to hear what the Hyundai techs think of your independent mechanics diagnosis.

If Hyundai are still unconcerned about your noise then I suggest you get that confirmed in writing and should anything further become a problem due to this noise then at least you have a form of paper trail to highlight that you had picked up the problem and "nothing was done about it".

Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on July 28, 2010, 11:55:16
ALL the engine mounts were replaced. Yes I did tell hyundai what the other mechanic had said and they still refused to acknowledge that there was a problem and during the conversation the person I spoke to tried to change the subject and put me off. I spoke to another customer service agent and he just said write us a letter. When the mechanics worked tiresly on my car I told them to keep the car as long as they wanted it for because I'm close to public transport and I'm not inconvenienced. They started the engine with the suspect engine mount removed and the noise disappeared. They told hyundai about this but they still acknowledged that there was no problem.The dealership did every thing they could to demonstrate that the problem was with the engine mount. They even swapped the engine mount over with another i30 but to no avail. The service manager told me he was concerned because as I was picking up my car another one was booked with the same problem.I suggested to hyundai that they send an e-mail to hyundai in Korea. I asked later if they did this and they said yes but they did'nt know anything. I find that hard to believe. I don't really have any beef with hyundai cars as this my third one but I'm not happy with hyundai  management here in Sydney as they seemed determined not to want to fix any thing. If I was'nt happy with the car I would have gotten rid of it by now because I owe less money on the car than what it's worth. GW.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: agentr31 on July 28, 2010, 12:31:30
see if anyone makes a solid polyurethane engine mount man!! wack that in there and see how she goes :)
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Lorian on July 28, 2010, 13:00:53
It's a design fault that hyundai don;t want people to find out about.But apart from all this I'm happy with my car and I just get used to the knocking noise.

Hyundai are doing a very good job too, they seem to have managed to purge nearly every post about this annoying and pervasive fault from this forum.

But seriously, I don't think there ever have been reports of this exact problem from anyone else (I didnt search to check). Sure a couple of reports of clutch judder on automatics, but thats not the same thing.

The closest match is this thread:

https://www.i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,5131.0.html

But my (nosovice) built diesel car has no hint of such a noise.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: bumpkin on July 28, 2010, 20:37:46
Neither has my Korean built petrol model.

Any takers :question: :question: :question:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: eye30 on July 28, 2010, 20:58:54
They even swapped the engine mount over with another i30

I wonder who has this car?
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: bumpkin on July 28, 2010, 22:07:55
ALL the engine mounts were replaced.

They even swapped the engine mount over with another i30 but to no avail.

Are you saying here that you have had all the engine mounts replaced and when that didn't make any difference they swapped them back with your originals??  Or are you now running around with replaced mounts and still the same problem??

If so that completely discounts your independent mechanic, as it is obviously not the mounts causing the problem.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Myowni30 on July 29, 2010, 00:33:50
Sounds to me like the exhaust system knocking on the chassis  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on July 29, 2010, 02:46:39
 What the dealership did was swap an engine mount with another i30 as a process of ellimination because he thought that the new engine mounts possibly could've been a bad batch. He swapped it back again when he finished. I'm sorry for any confusion there. GW.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on July 29, 2010, 02:54:04
You are right it does sound exactly like a loose exhaust pipe and that's what I thought it was but that was checked out. GW.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Lorian on July 29, 2010, 08:03:07
It only happens whle accelerating? It doesn't happen when you go over big bumps?
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: bumpkin on July 29, 2010, 09:03:07
What the dealership did was swap an engine mount with another i30 as a process of ellimination because he thought that the new engine mounts possibly could've been a bad batch. He swapped it back again when he finished. I'm sorry for any confusion there.

So he took a mount from an i30 that wasn't making a noise like yours, put it into your car and it still made the noise, then concluded it is not the engine mount?
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Myowni30 on July 29, 2010, 12:46:25
You are right it does sound exactly like a loose exhaust pipe and that's what I thought it was but that was checked out.

The exhaust does not have to be loose. Just badly positioned. If your knock is just a few bumps/knocks, then the engine is moving with the torque and that would cause the exhaust to knock. Its quite close to the bulk head in the i30. Get hold of the tail pipe and give it a good shake and see if that creates the sound. May need someone inside the car to listen, or head under bonnet. Don't forget the tail pipe will be dirty  :lol:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 25, 2011, 09:30:58
hi gw.  did you ever have your knocking noise fixed,and what was the knocking noise?  :scared:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on April 25, 2011, 09:48:32
UPDATE. After making inquiries with other mechanics and doing some research on the internet this is what I found out about fluid engine mounts.The downside to fluid engine mounts is that they do create a knocking noise.Other carmakers also have fluid engine mounts fitted to their veihcles BUT they've ellimated the knocking noise issue.Hyundai's response to me was that it's a characteristic of i30's(It's being well known in the automobile industry for as long as I can remember for carmakers to give the excuse of "characteristic" to problems that they either won't fix or don't want to fix).But what upset me the most was  when they also said that the case is still open and for me to bring the car back if the pitch (If the sound changes) changes and they would have another look at it.Well the pitch has'nt changed at all nor has the sound of the knocking noise lessened.The technical information that I found on the internet from America could've been downloaded or printed and sent to me by Hyundai and that would've closed the case(I don't have a printer).  gw
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: asathorny on April 25, 2011, 09:48:42
My Hyundai PETROL MANUAL has never had this mysterious knocking noise ???  Hyundai appear to have gone to extreme lengths to try to solve this problem, I am astonished to hear you say that they canibalised a NEW car to test a theory.  WOW, I am glad I won't be purchasing this vandalised car !!!!! :blubber: :blubber:

Mr Griptight
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 25, 2011, 10:05:39
 what part of oz are you in gw?  also are you willing to post up or email me the info that you couldn't print off?  :winker: :razz:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: StarSeeker on April 25, 2011, 19:11:19
It can be easily demonstrated by blocking the front wheels and letting the clutch out with the engine running.

Have you tried the above method by blocking just the rear wheels  :question:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on April 26, 2011, 01:30:35
UPDATE. After making inquiries with other mechanics and doing some research on the internet this is what I found out about fluid engine mounts.The downside to fluid engine mounts is that they do create a knocking noise.Other carmakers also have fluid engine mounts fitted to their veihcles BUT they've ellimated the knocking noise issue.Hyundai's response to me was that it's a characteristic of i30's(It's being well known in the automobile industry for as long as I can remember for carmakers to give the excuse of "characteristic" to problems that they either won't fix or don't want to fix).But what upset me the most was  when they also said that the case is still open and for me to bring the car back if the pitch (If the sound changes) changes and they would have another look at it.Well the pitch has'nt changed at all nor has the sound of the knocking noise lessened.The technical information that I found on the internet from America could've been downloaded or printed and sent to me by Hyundai and that would've closed the case(I don't have a printer).


To sum everything up Hyundai hav'nt given me a direct answer nor do I have any closure on this issue. gw
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 12:32:15
well I'm not sure what to say,and I'm not usually short of ideas or suggestions   :disapp::confused:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: rustynutz on April 26, 2011, 12:37:59
You could say we should be grateful to have a car with character, unlike those "bland" Jap models.... :p
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 12:40:58
You could say we should be grateful to have a car with character, unlike those "bland" Jap models.... :p
:whsaid: :goodjob:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 12:48:14
gw its highly possible that its not your engine mounts causing the banging noise,especially if they were changed and the noise was still there.  :idea: very very few members have posted about banging engine mounts,if any. i will admit the mounts are very soft,I've had my mounts looked at for just that reason.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: rustynutz on April 26, 2011, 13:01:04
Personally I suspect it's the mother in law wanting to get out of the boot..... :whistler:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 13:03:06
that would be in the back,not the front.  :p :lol:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: rustynutz on April 26, 2011, 13:12:45
You're very observant, Steve....  :p

The sound must be travelling through the body work.... :undecided:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 13:24:54
You're very observant, Steve....  :p

The sound must be travelling through the body work.... :undecided:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: 2i30s on April 26, 2011, 13:28:14
You're very observant, Steve....  :p

The sound must be travelling through the body work.... :undecided:
dentures knocking.  :disapp:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on May 01, 2011, 11:25:14
gw its highly possible that its not your engine mounts causing the banging noise,especially if they were changed and the noise was still there.  :idea: very very few members have posted about banging engine mounts,if any. i will admit the mounts are very soft,I've had my mounts looked at for just that reason.

In my origional letter I mentioned that the dealership tested all the new petrol/manual i30's and they all had the same knocking noise.I've also mentioned that it's standard practice for car companies to cover things up and Hyundai will(or they probably already have)fix the problem in the later models.The reason for this is very simple.

The only way to fix this problem is for Hyundai to own up and recall all petrol/manual i30's to fit new re-engineered engine mounts.Carmakers do not like recalls because it effects the  sales of new cars .Hyundai (since 1999)have decided that they want to be known to the world  as a manufacturer of good quality cars unlike their previous cars which were considered as "five year warranty throw away cars".

Naturally they want to succeed and I feel they're doing a good job and they'll stop at nothing to ensure they do succeed which means avoiding recalls and any bad publicity.One example is the Ford motor company .They fitted brake hoses to certain vehicles that were too short and these hoses started to break but they refused to do a recall until Carguide started up a campaign to force Ford to back down and eventually they did do a recall which has now had a big impact on they're sales.This happened beteen 2008 and 2010.

Another example but this time it's Hyundai.The new Santa Fe's have an issue with the front tyres scrubbing out and Hyundai won't address the issue.One woman wrote into Carsguide where as the dealership sent her new Santa Fe away to be fitted with an after market camber kit which fixed the problem which was paid for by the dealer. In my opinion this is not aceptable.A dealer should'nt have to fit after market parts to a car  that's under warranty.

It's possible that by fitting aftermarket engine mounts to my car may get rid of the knocking noise but honestly I should'nt have to as I will have to pay for it.If Hyundai are going to keep doing this with warranty issues then I'll seriously consider not buying another Hyundai again.I am loosing faith with Hyundai in general but not so much with they're cars.gw
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: asathorny on May 01, 2011, 15:56:10
You are clearly very angry GW and I guess I would be if my car had what I perceived has a serious problem which no one could solve, but, doing a rant about other car makes and expressing what can only be described as paranoaic notions about *ALL* cars having this fault is not likely to get you much support.  As far as I am aware no-one here has experienced this problem, and most, myself included, have had a pretty decent experiences with the warranty.

Have you aproached any of the trading standards organisations in, whichever coutnry you reside?  Have you considered an engineers report and legal action?  With an independant engineers report given that he finds the knock and it's cause will give you enourmas power to negotiate.  Also, a member here asked you to post certain information in support of your allegations, I have not seen same.  I understand if you can't print it, but you could always forward it, couldn't you???

Mr Griptight
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on May 09, 2011, 13:41:17

I also asked The  Department of Fairtrading to take my case on but they declined.If you do your research you'll find that the laws here in Australia are very weak when it comes to trying to prosecute car makers.I was at the dealership when he tested the new cars on the car lot and I saw the results for myself.About carmakers covering things up and fixing problems on later models is a well known fact and any good mechanic wiil tell you that.I suggest that you have a look at the Carsguide website and go through the archives.Carsguide is a motoring lift out which is in most Australian newspapers every week.Car owners write in with problems on their cars and Carsguide give them advice if they can.I can't afford to take Hyundai to court to fix problems on my car.Also take another look at the i30 owners club website and you'll see that other owners have written in about this problem. The website that I found the information about the fluid engine mounts,well I could'nt find it again.I should've written it down.It was a customer support worker from the Hyundai head office here in Sydney who phoned me and he told me that all petrol manual i30's have this knocking noise. He also looked at my car.At the end of the day I'm happy with my car and I'm going to test drive a new 2011 model to see if they've fixed this problem as well as the chip tuning issue.  gw
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Pip on May 09, 2011, 13:44:21
You seem convinced but who else thinks the engine mounts are of a faulty design? Is it a case of you against them or you just being wrong?

I don't mean that to be confrontational but do we actually have a diagnosis other than "they all have it" or "I know a guy who said..."?

I'm happy to accept the possibility that the design is less than wonderful but what real information do we/you have that there is a design flaw?

It's possible that this is related to posts (on the manual diesel?) about a "boompf" noise when letting out the clutch with a few too many revs on when changing gears.

I and others have this (so easily repeatable) and have simply adopted a smooth engagement to minimise it.

Edit: ok, my post was composed before your last entry... let us all know what progress you make and whether you think the later cars are better...
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: gw on May 10, 2011, 10:05:27

I also asked The  Department of Fairtrading to take my case on but they declined.If you do your research you'll find that the laws here in Australia are very weak when it comes to trying to prosecute car makers.I was at the dealership when he tested the new cars on the car lot and I saw the results for myself.About carmakers covering things up and fixing problems on later models is a well known fact and any good mechanic wiil tell you that.I suggest that you have a look at the Carsguide website and go through the archives.Carsguide is a motoring lift out which is in most Australian newspapers every week.Car owners write in with problems on their cars and Carsguide give them advice if they can.I can't afford to take Hyundai to court to fix problems on my car.Also take another look at the i30 owners club website and you'll see that other owners have written in about this problem. The website that I found the information about the fluid engine mounts,well I could'nt find it again.I should've written it down.It was a customer support worker from the Hyundai head office here in Sydney who phoned me and he told me that all petrol manual i30's have this knocking noise. He also looked at my car.At the end of the day I'm happy with my car and I'm going to test drive a new 2011 model to see if they've fixed this problem as well as the chip tuning issue.  gw .Tuesday 10/5/2011.


Sorry I forgot to mention this yesterday.Please read the Carsguide article dated friday 6/5/2011 titled "lemonaid"
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Keith on May 10, 2011, 13:14:33
I'm as fussy & paranoid about knocks etc as the next driver having come out of a Fiat & into my petrol 1.6 i30. But I have to say, there are NO knocking noises coming from under my bonnet at all, over 16,000 miles now & coming up to 3 years old... and our roads here in the UK are like hell on earth in some places these days!
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: AnubisZG on February 07, 2013, 08:40:35
Hi!! Sorry if I'am writeing this post to late.....i had same problem with my I30. I have 1.4 I30, petrol/manual...that is the last model before this new one....facelift! :D
Year of prd. is 2011. I had knocking problem from engine. Seller didnt know what to do....LONG STORY...but after 1.5 year problem is 90% solved!
Problem was with ECU!!!  Dealer updated my ECU software and problem is almost gone.....much better! Try asking your official dealer if thay have new ECU software for your car!

Hope i helped!
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Doggie 1 on February 07, 2013, 08:45:29
Hi!! Sorry if I'am writeing this post to late.....i had same problem with my I30. I have 1.4 I30, petrol/manual...that is the last model before this new one....facelift! :D
Year of prd. is 2011. I had knocking problem from engine. LONG STORY...but after 1.5 year problem is 90% solved!
Problem was with ECU!!!

Hope i helped!


Welcome to the forum & thanks for that information.  :goodjob2:

I've never heard of a cat called ECU before though.  :undecided:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Phil №❶ on February 07, 2013, 08:48:22
Welcome AnubisZG,

Nice, your offering a solution in your 1st post, well done, hope we can help you sometime. :goodjob2:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Shambles on February 07, 2013, 08:57:00
Yeah thanks for the input Anubis :D

After over a year lurking "it's about time" ;)
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Dazzler on February 07, 2013, 09:01:35
Welcome AnubisZG,

Nice, your offering a solution in your 1st post, well done, hope we can help you sometime. :goodjob2:

 :whsaid:
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: AnubisZG on February 07, 2013, 09:52:57
THX! Nice to be here!
I was lucky and persistent!  :mrgreen:
I found service in Croatia who is great and professional. (Hyundai Birt- official Hyundai service) 
The general distributor for Croatia didn't know what to do and thay were just playing with me! Only after I started writeing to Hyundai Germany thay started doing something. In mid time Birt started playing with ECU (Engine control unit). He has lot of experience with cars for raceing and as I heard everyone in Croatia and this region when dont know what to do came to him!

Anyway he reported his work to Germany and Hyundai sent official ECU update.  :)
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: i30RSA on April 14, 2013, 14:36:56
Im from South Africa and I also have the knocking noise, to me it sounds like its coming from the area of the alternator ! Must be the little i30 gremlin knocking so someone could let him out !
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: Keith on April 14, 2013, 14:47:11
Im from South Africa and I also have the knocking noise, to me it sounds like its coming from the area of the alternator ! Must be the little i30 gremlin knocking so someone could let him out !
looking through the Thread you resurrected here it looks like the idea of your problem being related to "pinging" may be close to the mark if an ECU update made such a marked improvement.
Title: Re: Knocking noise in the engine bay [petrol/manual only]
Post by: kabukiman on April 30, 2013, 11:46:46
the auto also has a fluid mount on the front of the engine (left side if you're looking into the engine bay from the front fo the car)

They are pretty soft.  Mine has made a clunk noise once when I took a speed bump a little too fast.  Aside from that no problem.  The mount is very similar to one on my first car, a peugeot.  That mount broke one day when I hit a pot hole... in a car park.  I suppose as long as you're careful you shouldn't have to replace one for a very long time though

Try driving differently, take it easy on the car for a little while, make an effort not to smash it over speed bumps or thrash it from a stop

if that fails maybe someone makes a poly mount or you could find a universal one that may fit

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