Many of the same procedures used in diagnosing a water
leak may also be used in diagnosing wind noise. Wind noise repairs are also
very similar to water leak repairs. The actual repair procedure used will
depend on the type of gap to be repaired. A door or door window adjustment
may resolve the condition. If an abnormal wind noise condition is reported,
visually inspect for the following conditions before attempting to further
diagnose the complaint:
The following are four common methods for diagnosing wind noise:
• | The chalk (tracing powder) test |
• | The air hose (soap suds/bubbles) test |
• | The external wind noise road test |
After a thorough visual inspection, choose one of the following test
procedures that best suits your needs.
Chalk (Tracing Powder) Test
- Wash the weatherstrips and the contact surfaces with a solvent.
- Apply a tracing powder or chalk in an unbroken line to the contact
surface of the weatherstrip mating surfaces.
- Close the panel completely.
- Open the panel and inspect the weatherstrip:
• | Corresponding lines on both surfaces -- good seal |
• | Gaps or irregularities that do not match -- poor seal |
- Replace the weatherstrip as needed.
Air Pressure Test
With the following procedure, a smoke or dusting powder can be used
if preferred. The exact leak location can be seen as smoke or powder travels
through a poor seal.
- Mask off the body pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve
is accessed from inside the vehicle by removing the rear compartment left
rear corner trim panel. Access from outside the vehicle is obtained from through
the left rear wheelhouse opening.
- Turn ON the vehicle's ventilation fan.
- Close any passenger chamber openings, such as the windows and
the doors.
Important: An abnormal amount of high pressure will build up in the vehicle, and
will escape through any poor seals.
- With a stethoscope, or a piece of a heater hose, listen for escaping
air along the roof, door, and window seals.
Air Hose (Soap Suds/Bubbles) Test
- Pressurize the vehicle interior. (An air hose can be used inside
the vehicle as well.)
Specification
Pressurization (maximum): 105 kPa (30 psi)
- Apply a soapy solution to any potential leak areas on the outside
of the vehicle.
- Watch for bubbles at the areas where the soapy solution was applied.
External Wind Noise Road Test
The outside air passing over an opening causes wind roar. Outside air
passing over the vehicle's body causes wind rush, If wind roar is suspected,
road test the vehicle as follows in order to inspect for openings or bad seals.
- Road test the vehicle while taping various moldings and gaps until
the noise stops.
- Make repairs as needed.