Hi guys

I'm now 36k miles from new in April '10, had three services at 10k intervals (each at about £100 + VAT), 2 sets Dunlop SP1s and now Winter Contis on the existing 17" alloys.

However, despite a change in the type of road noise from the Contis and an imperceptible change in the handling and motion of the car, I have noticed an increase in the noise from the engine, particularly when using a heavy right foot to overtake tractors and Audi TTs. There seems to be more of what can only be described as a roar, or gruffness that I'm sure has crept up on me over the last few months.

And so my question is this: has anyone fitted any extra sound insulation, or even felt the need to fit it? I have always been delighted with the Yeti in terms of noise - road noise, tyre noise, wind noise, engine noise, Bolero with Sound System noise, door closing noise and so on, so this - er - development pulls the corners of my mouth down a bit.

I suppose I could just slow down a bit... ... ...but hell, that's why I went for the 170.

George

George just turn up the music!!!

I went for the uprated sound system. Drowns out all those annoying noises, the tyres, the engine, the wife.....

Andy

Hi George,

Bum a ride in an Octavia for a while - and see how quiet the Yeti really is. I have noticed more sounds recently to, but I blame it on familiarity - the more you get used to ít, the more you notice the little different sounds. Definite engine intake noise between 70 and 85 MPH, noticeable tyre noise at low speed, but really no actual increse over the 40,000+ miles in mine so far.

I had some success with self-adhesive bitumin panels in the Octy in the areas of the bottom pan, where you get a soundboard effect - you will understand the term OK. The big difference between the Octy and the Yeti is that the Yeti has rubber insulators between the rear axle bridge and the platform, whereas the Octy does (did?) not.

I really suspect there is not much attenuation to be had in the Yeti without some serious research and expense.

George,

It's your own fault for buying that Beemer!! The Yeti's trying to get it's own back.

I wonder actually whether it is your tyres. Having changed to Kumho's I've noticed mine is noisier, but I wouldn't describe it as tyre noise, more as just "noisier".

And as Johann says, TURN THE RADIO UP!

Something I'd certainly be interested in. I think there is a fair amount of engine noise from the 170 and I would describe it as a roar. Road noise with the winter tyres and even our roads in Scotland is acceptable but some extra sound proofing would be a help.

I just remove my hearing aids

Hi George,

I have noticed more sounds recently to, but I blame it on familiarity - the more you get used to ít, the more you notice the little different sounds. Definite engine intake noise between 70 and 85 MPH, noticeable tyre noise at low speed, but really no actual increase....

......[i had some success with self-adhesive bitumin panels in the Octy in the areas of the bottom pan, where you get a soundboard effect - you will understand the term OK. The big difference between the Octy and the Yeti is that the Yeti has rubber insulators between the rear axle bridge and the platform, whereas the Octy does (did?) not.].....

I really suspect there is not much attenuation to be had in the Yeti without some serious research and expense.

Thanks for this Ager-B - I kinda wondered if this would be the case, and was interested in others' experiences. I really don't want the hassle of either the research or the expense... ... ..

... ... ... ...and so ------ I WILL TURN THE VOLUME UP...... and UP.. . . .... and U P.

All the way to eleven.

Pardon?

And thanks to all you daft beggrz - you made me grin loudly on a dank dismal dreary damp Welsh mountain day when even the smelly farm collies are seeking shelter behind barn doors whilst keeping a baleful brown eye open in case the backside of a Beemer should burble by and thereby instigate some serious sport to see if they can defeat the run flat rubbery things with one swift bite before returning whence they erupted to resume their watchful way in the world.

Pardon?

I went for the uprated sound system. Drowns out all those annoying noises, the tyres, the engine, the wife.....

Andy

I wonder if you added a super stereo, uprated speakers, sound proofing and all other notable suggestions how it would compare over 3 years to the cost of a wife, to deaden the sound(and all other such things)

If your perception is that the noise level has increased (and I would trust your senses) first eliminate actual sources of increased noise-such as a poor joint on the exhaust or on the intake air path then look to see what may be admitting more noise to the cabin even a breather pipe not quite securely fitted can matter.

A thought-not based on experience with the Yeti but on other cars over the years.

Have a very careful look for any grommets or cable paths though the bulkhead which may have become displaced or worn. It would take a bit of fiddling but may pay off since even a very slight actual gap admits a surprising amount of additional noise.

On a Mini I had huge success with duct tape over a poor fitting grommet. Method:Lift the carpets and apply a very bright light first from above and below the engine while looking for light in the cabin then light in the cabin and look for light coming though into the engine bay.

Extra sound insulation may not be the logical way to go if the problem has arisen over time.

I used NoiseKiller it was as recommended by several people in the Octavia forum on my Octavia. Dynamat seems to be the favourite material for noise suppression but it isn't cheap. The Yeti does not have any sound insulation under the boot floor and possibly not under the rear seats either. It might make a difference. I also had some fitted under the carpets, in the footwells, but in the drivers footwell, under the mat, and also under the bonnet cover as well. It did make a difference the the Octavia, but not as much as I wanted, having just come from an e39 BMW 5 series that was whisper quiet. That is what I missed the most from the BMW apart from the remapped 3 litre 6cyl diesel engine

I too have thought about extra sound insulation, but the Yeti as mentioned above is quiet compared to the Octavia. But not as quiet as a BMW

I used NoiseKiller it was as recommended by several people in the Octavia forum on my Octavia. Dynamat seems to be the favourite material for noise suppression but it isn't cheap. The Yeti does not have any sound insulation under the boot floor and possibly not under the rear seats either. It might make a difference. I also had some fitted under the carpets, in the footwells, but in the drivers footwell, under the mat, and also under the bonnet cover as well. It did make a difference the the Octavia, but not as much as I wanted, having just come from an e39 BMW 5 series that was whisper quiet. That is what I missed the most from the BMW apart from the remapped 3 litre 6cyl diesel engine

I too have thought about extra sound insulation, but the Yeti as mentioned above is quiet compared to the Octavia. But not as quiet as a BMW

I think this is my problem, coming from an X5 which was as you put whisper quiet although when I drive our Golf MK6 it too is very very quiet.

I think this is my problem, coming from an X5 which was as you put whisper quiet although when I drive our Golf MK6 it too is very very quiet.

I believe the Golf 6 is better sound insulated, which is one of the reasons you pay more for it than an Octavia.

I too recommend Noisekiller. I currently have 2005 Cmax 2.0tdci but I lurk on here daily!!

Noise Killer is expensive but I have always spent time and effort reducing car noise on every single vehicle I have owned....in 38 years that's quite a few including BMW and a VW Tiguan. It is the best in my view and makes a real difference.

Bitumen pads are good value too....and in poorer times I have used domestic underfelt to good effect.

I did not think the Yeti was super quiet on my test drive but I did think it was better than my Tiguan TDI 170....that I'd worked my magic on.

I think the majority of Yeti;s noise comes from the arches.

I have fitted some sound deadening material (mats and carpet underlay) in the boot, makes very little difference.

I think the main cure is to get sound deadening material into the wheel arches.

I believe the Golf 6 is better sound insulated, which is one of the reasons you pay more for it than an Octavia.

It's interesting - my wife has a Golf Mk 6 1.4 TSi (GT - is that what they call it?) with DSG. I'd agree that engine and wind noise suppression is excellent. But personally I find that there's quite a lot of tyre/road noise - not too dissimilar to my Yeti in sound level. Does seem to be a very subjective matter this in-car noise. But I really would like to see the Yeti better suppressed - I think it makes a really material difference to perceived fatigue on longer journeys (that along with the jitter that gets communicated into the cabin by the suspension, where the Yeti doesn't score especially well either. It would be really interesting to know why SUK don't believe that I should have had the option of 16" wheels - just where are the investigative journalists when you need them?)

Hi

Just to pull you gently back onto the original noise referred to... ...

I am speaking of the noise of the engine as I put my foot down to overtake something.

I am familiar with wind (!!) and with tyres. It is the added gruffness that seems to have become more pronounced in the last couple of months - 3000 - 3500 out of 36k miles. It isn't as if the car is straining because its acceleration is as surprising now as it was nearly 2 years ago. But - when accelerating briskly at any time the noise seems, well, noisier than it used to be, but not in a "My God there must be a fault" sort of way.

Thanks to JCP for a useful thought, and more useful ideas of seeking the source. I don't think that it will be that - but you never know until you look.

And one more thought - it doesn't appear to be any more raucous when travelling at higher speeds, unless I'm in a lower gear. Daft as it may sound, to a non-mechanically minded eejit it is almost as if the oil level in the engine has nearly disappeared. Hmmmm - better check that first thing in the morning, just in case.

And ... ... .... my final one. My fuel consumption has risen a fair bit (from an average of 41-43 mpg per fill down to 38 - 40 mpg) part of which is down to "winter" and perhaps a bit down to winter tyres - but I just wonder if my driving style has slipped into something more aggressive of late. That kinda fits in with our Danish friend's assessment (thank you Agerbundsen) and maybe I should try playing the old fart for a couple of weeks. Or maybe, as Graham so assiduously pointed out, its because of the Beemer influencing my driving style. Yeti is for commuting and lugging luggage and guitars; Beemer is for posing and poncing and buying pints of milk.

Thanks for all your thoughts chaps, it is useful to hear your ideas and experiences.

George

Edited 10 January, 201214 yr by Freshacre

Hi

Just to pull you gently back onto the original noise referred to... ...

I am speaking of the noise of the engine as I put my foot down to overtake something.

I am familiar with wind (!!) and with tyres. It is the added gruffness that seems to have become more pronounced in the last couple of months - 3000 - 3500 out of 36k miles. It isn't as if the car is straining because its acceleration is as surprising now as it was nearly 2 years ago. But - when accelerating briskly at any time the noise seems, well, noisier than it used to be, but not in a "My God there must be a fault" sort of way.

Thanks for all your thoughts chaps, it is useful to hear your ideas and experiences.

George

You've got me thinking now George, because I noticed when sat at the lights in Newtown at silly o'clock this morning that I seem to have an exhaust "growl", and mines done nearly that mileage. Perhaps it's stage two of releasing the animal?

Oh and my fuel consumption there and back today averaged 46mpg on the MFD!!

Aye, but then - aren't you one of them "old farts"??? LOL

Hi

Just to pull you gently back onto the original noise referred to... ...

I am speaking of the noise of the engine as I put my foot down to overtake something.

I am familiar with wind (!!) and with tyres. It is the added gruffness that seems to have become more pronounced in the last couple of months - 3000 - 3500 out of 36k miles. It isn't as if the car is straining because its acceleration is as surprising now as it was nearly 2 years ago. But - when accelerating briskly at any time the noise seems, well, noisier than it used to be, but not in a "My God there must be a fault" sort of way.

Thanks to JCP for a useful thought, and more useful ideas of seeking the source. I don't think that it will be that - but you never know until you look.

And one more thought - it doesn't appear to be any more raucous when travelling at higher speeds, unless I'm in a lower gear. Daft as it may sound, to a non-mechanically minded eejit it is almost as if the oil level in the engine has nearly disappeared. Hmmmm - better check that first thing in the morning, just in case.

And ... ... .... my final one. My fuel consumption has risen a fair bit (from an average of 41-43 mpg per fill down to 38 - 40 mpg) part of which is down to "winter" and perhaps a bit down to winter tyres - but I just wonder if my driving style has slipped into something more aggressive of late. That kinda fits in with our Danish friend's assessment (thank you Agerbundsen) and maybe I should try playing the old fart for a couple of weeks. Or maybe, as Graham so assiduously pointed out, its because of the Beemer influencing my driving style. Yeti is for commuting and lugging luggage and guitars; Beemer is for posing and poncing and buying pints of milk.

Thanks for all your thoughts chaps, it is useful to hear your ideas and experiences.

George

As your increased noise seems to be engine rated let me throw open a few possible causes;-

Build up of soot in the DPF and/or exhaust system causing a change of exhaust note?

Air filter restricted making the turbo have to suck harder? What air filter do you have and when was it last changed, if at all?

Fuel? Do you fill up with the same brand? Have you used a different brand to usual recently? This can make a difference e.g. I use Miller Diesel EcoBoost (or whatever they call it these days) which smooths and softens the general sound of the engine.

Fuel? Don't the fuel companies change the blend of their diesel in winter with additives to give it an 'anti freeze' element? Presuming so; might this change the timbre of the 'burn'?

Discuss?

1326317777[/url]' post='2642118']

As your increased noise seems to be engine rated let me throw open a few possible causes;-

Build up of soot in the DPF and/or exhaust system causing a change of exhaust note?

Not aware of any build up - nor any regen problems. Part of my commute is at 60 mph for 20 miles

Air filter restricted making the turbo have to suck harder? What air filter do you have and when was it last changed, if at all?

No idea about the air filter.....but will check.

Fuel? Do you fill up with the same brand? Have you used a different brand to usual recently? This can make a difference e.g. I use Miller Diesel EcoBoost (or whatever they call it these days) which smooths and softens the general sound of the engine.

Have used the same brand(s) of fuel all the time. Tesco alternated with Texaco.

Fuel? Don't the fuel companies change the blend of their diesel in winter with additives to give it an 'anti freeze' element? Presuming so; might this change the timbre of the 'burn'?

Discuss?

Thanks so much for these suggestions...... However - I suspect that it is merely my driving style that has altered over the two years, making the sound of revving more noticeable. Thanks - yeti people.

Thanks so much for these suggestions...... However - I suspect that it is merely my driving style that has altered over the two years, making the sound of revving more noticeable. Thanks - yeti people.

Thanks to all Yeti-afficionados - your suggestions have been investigated (including crawling under muddy bluddy bit with a fading torch, and an engine set at 2500 revs by a spare shoe propped against the go-faster pedal), and all the other ideas.

The bottom line is - that my right foot has put on weight!

With growing familiarisation with the Yeti and its abilities I have been less "polite" in dealing with those, and had accordingly applied the aforesaid right appendage more forthrightly that is perhaps beneficial.

So - this week I have been the proverbial old fart, the "new Yeti driver", the querulous, insecure senior citizen, the cautious "there's an accident around every bend" sort of driver - and - way-hey, RESULT. Not only do I not sound (to my ears) like a 45 seater omnibus ascending an Alp, nor a 45 tonne tanker trying to pass all and sundry, nor a 80s Rover just driving - but a sweet, sweet diesel engined product of CZ as it should be - offering SUCH peace of mind. AND - not only that, my mileage per gallon has risen accordingly. I did 44.5mpg just by taking it easy, and steady, and calmly, and with the radio turned up, and with scant regard for kamikaze welsh farm collies en route. Stuff 'em all I say - I HAVE THE ANSWER.;

Thanks y'all.

Diesel engine noise is a function of the combustion process. Common rails have more control over that than VW PD injectors on my Polo. Either way, cetane rating makes a difference to engine noise. Actual cetane of diesel does appear to vary a bit depending on crude oil sources. High cetane >51 is recommended for DPF, as high cetane generates less smoke. It could be that a change in fuel specification has altered the engine noise. I use a cetane improving additive (Morey's diesel smoke killer). Alternatively, one could use a premium diesel. BP's Ultimate diesel is standard diesel with an additive package including cetane improver.

Edited 1 March, 201214 yr by blouis79

I have noticed with all my VAG diesel engined cars as they pile on the miles they become noisier. Passat PD, Audi CR and now the Yeti CR with 26k on it, all when new are quite quiet and refined but after 20k start to tap a bit when cold with a more growly noise when pushed, the Yeti however has a funny metallic noise when you just feather the throttle at cruising speed, I expect this to become a much more thudding noise when it passes 50K, when it gets up past 80K it will become a rattly noise as the Audi CR engine and Audi told me this was normal, as was the clutch pedal becoming very heavy too.

All my cars have been on variable servicing and always done at the dealer. BTW I run on mainly ultimate diesel from BP.

On a side note I drove from home to the NEC yesterday, I achieved 42mpg going south at a steady 75-80mph, coming home I achieved 47mpg at the same 75-80mph, this got me thinking why this might be, any ideas?

Headwind component going,tailwind component coming back.

The Yeti is not blessed with the best highspeed aerodynamics. :no: