Chirping/whistling noise from front end at speed

[cthelan]

Searching for the source of some chirping/whistling noise that comes on at speed (anything above 45mph). Does not seem to be wind noise. Had wind noise issues early on and I have done all the wind noise fixes with extra trim and sealing of the triangle window gaps. That solved that issue 10k miles ago. Windy days, strong gusts, calm days have no effect on this noise. This noise is new and was intermittent, but is now consistent every drive above 45mph. Drive mode, HVAC on/off doesn’t seem to have any effect. Believe it is coming from the frunk area. Sounds metallic, almost like a bad bearing on a computer fan. Anyone else have this issue?

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[Joe Hoffman]

Yes, I had the same problem. It’s related to the seals between the air intake plastic in the front. There is several posts on how to resolve using foam to rent the gaps between surfaces.

 

[cthelan]

Yes, I had the same problem. It’s related to the seals between the air intake plastic in the front. There is several posts on how to resolve using foam to rent the gaps between surfaces.

Air intake for...? The cabin air filter area? Where the cooling louvers are? I've been experimenting with putting extra foam tape around the frunk/hood and haven't solved it yet.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

My problem was with the Air intake for cabin air. I added foam to two areas:
1) top edge of air intake rectangle area.
2) the space between the big plastic part that clips in above the air intake. This item extends across the vehicle and is removed to access the air intake area.

Try removing all these pieces, including the filter itself and see if the noise is resolved. Then put them back 1 by 1 until you isolate to the source.

 

[cthelan]

My problem was with the Air intake for cabin air. I added foam to two areas:
1) top edge of air intake rectangle area.
2) the space between the big plastic part that clips in above the air intake. This item extends across the vehicle and is removed to access the air intake area.

Try removing all these pieces, including the filter itself and see if the noise is resolved. Then put them back 1 by 1 until you isolate to the source.

Ok thanks. Can't hurt to add some foam in those areas. In my case the noise is there in all HVAC modes (including off), so I'm doubtful that it's coming from those areas.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

My symptom was the same whereby the AC settings didn’t seem to impact the noise at all. However, adding foam to these locations DID fix the problem for me because the problem isn’t the air going into the AC but rather causing vibration between the body sheet metal and the plastic piece that goes across the vehicle.

I originally invested a lot of time searching down in the AC intake, but all that effort was in vain.

Here's a pic of the foam that seemed to be the best improvement. This view is looking at the wipers with the frunk open. I'm looking from the drivers door forward towards the passenger/front corner. Note the red arrows pointing to the foam that's under the trailing edge of the plastic piece i discussed earlier. The foam was just some sticky foam strips from Home Depot.

 

[cthelan]

My symptom was the same whereby the AC settings didn’t seem to impact the noise at all. However, adding foam to these locations DID fix the problem for me because the problem isn’t the air going into the AC but rather causing vibration between the body sheet metal and the plastic piece that goes across the vehicle.

I originally invested a lot of time searching down in the AC intake, but all that effort was in vain.

Here's a pic of the foam that seemed to be the best improvement. This view is looking at the wipers with the frunk open. I'm looking from the drivers door forward towards the passenger/front corner. Note the red arrows pointing to the foam that's under the trailing edge of the plastic piece i discussed earlier. The foam was just some sticky foam strips from Home Depot.

Gave it a shot. No luck. On to looking at other sources. Padded all areas where hood contacts the frame when closed. Thought for sure that would be the culprit as the hood frame bare metal just rides on those adjustment bolts in the back area. No luck with that either.

Latest thinking is that it does sound a lot like a 'sped up' version of the noise the suspension makes at low speed over bumps (chirp/squeak). Maybe thats the issue? Already had to have the front struts replaced last year---both were leaking.

 

[rivian_rider]

Gave it a shot. No luck. On to looking at other sources. Padded all areas where hood contacts the frame when closed. Thought for sure that would be the culprit as the hood frame bare metal just rides on those adjustment bolts in the back area. No luck with that either.

Latest thinking is that it does sound a lot like a 'sped up' version of the noise the suspension makes at low speed over bumps (chirp/squeak). Maybe thats the issue? Already had to have the front struts replaced last year---both were leaking.

Just circling back here. Did you ever find the culprit? I still have the issue, and it's annoying af.

 

[cthelan]

Just circling back here. Did you ever find the culprit? I still have the issue, and it's annoying af.

Took it in for unrelated service and they adjusted a few of the panels/hood. Haven't heard it since the adjustment.

 

[rivian_rider]

Took it in for unrelated service and they adjusted a few of the panels/hood. Haven't heard it since the adjustment.

Damn...wish we knew exactly what the adjustment was. I pulled the cabin airfilter cover, cleaned out a bunch of leaves and debris etc. Snapped everything back into place. Still whistling in the 40-55 mph range.

 

[cthelan]

Damn...wish we knew exactly what the adjustment was. I pulled the cabin airfilter cover, cleaned out a bunch of leaves and debris etc. Snapped everything back into place. Still whistling in the 40-55 mph range.

Biggest adjustment that was visually apparent was they lowered the driver side panel. It was delivered sticking up above the hood about 1/4 inch. Didn't bother me too much, figured it was just an early build quirk, but they offered to do it so I took them up on it.

 

[rivian_rider]

Biggest adjustment that was visually apparent was they lowered the driver side panel. It was delivered sticking up above the hood about 1/4 inch. Didn't bother me too much, figured it was just an early build quirk, but they offered to do it so I took them up on it.

Pretty sure my seams line up visually, but I'll double-check that. I might try taping up those seems with painters tape, just to see if there's something to it though.

 

[rivian_rider]

Biggest adjustment that was visually apparent was they lowered the driver side panel. It was delivered sticking up above the hood about 1/4 inch. Didn't bother me too much, figured it was just an early build quirk, but they offered to do it so I took them up on it.

Ok...I've narrowed it down!

Unfortunately, tape didn't do anything for me. Tested multiple seams all around the hood and grill area.

However! I read that other post above about it being related to the "leaf screen" that covers the cabin air intake. (Visible with frunk open). I pulled it all out and cleaned any loose debris. Put it all back together...and it still whistled. So then I pulled it all off again, including the air filter, and left it off while driving it. EUREKA! No whistle! To further narrow the issue down, I then added the filter and the little cowl that goes on top, but not the big leaf cover. Still no whistle! I then added the big leaf screen cover, and sure enough, it was whistling at the same speeds again. Clearly that cover has some design flaws or something.

So now the next step is adding some weather stripping tape (or something) in certain spots to try to isolate the exact location of the whistle. I have a feeling it will be the seam right along where the windshield wipers are, like the guy above, but won't know for sure until I test it out.

 

[portdirect]

Ok...I've narrowed it down!

Unfortunately, tape didn't do anything for me. Tested multiple seams all around the hood and grill area.

However! I read that other post above about it being related to the "leaf screen" that covers the cabin air intake. (Visible with frunk open). I pulled it all out and cleaned any loose debris. Put it all back together...and it still whistled. So then I pulled it all off again, including the air filter, and left it off while driving it. EUREKA! No whistle! To further narrow the issue down, I then added the filter and the little cowl that goes on top, but not the big leaf cover. Still no whistle! I then added the big leaf screen cover, and sure enough, it was whistling at the same speeds again. Clearly that cover has some design flaws or something.

So now the next step is adding some weather stripping tape (or something) in certain spots to try to isolate the exact location of the whistle. I have a feeling it will be the seam right along where the windshield wipers are, like the guy above, but won't know for sure until I test it out.

Hey - sorry I missed this thread - it was actually happening with our R1T as well:

The fix rivian do is effecitly what I think this thread found:

Question: does your hood ‘bulge’ at high speed? Ours noticeably lifts at 70mph+ making me think it’s letting air in under it much more than other R1s I’ve driven.

 

[rivian_rider]

Hey - sorry I missed this thread - it was actually happening with our R1T as well:

The fix rivian do is effecitly what I think this thread found:

Question: does your hood ‘bulge’ at high speed? Ours noticeably lifts at 70mph+ making me think it’s letting air in under it much more than other R1s I’ve driven.

I have noticed some hood deformation at high speeds, but I don't think this is related or cause for concern, but IDK.

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