I have a 2013 skoda yeti adventure 4x4 that has started making a high pitched noise a bit like an old skool kettle with a whistle on a hob when boiling, but with a pulsing to it.

 

it feels like it’s coming from low down, centre of the engine, perhaps around below the gear stick - when moving my head around the passenger seat.

 

it doesn’t feel like bearings, or brakes.

 

The car usually needs a few minutes run before the noise starts (suggesting maybe that something warming up and expanding?!), braking doesn’t affect the noise, steering doesn’t affect the noise, putting foot on the clutch and coasting doesn’t affect the noise - the pulsing element to the sound changes slightly when slowing down and speeding, so speed affects it slightly - something linked to the wheels?

 

below 20mph the noise stops, it only starts over 20mph.

 

a mechanic kindly went for a test drive and first words were “that’s a peculiar noise”… and had no obvious answer, but did suggest it wasn’t an obvious engine noise, or wheel assembly. His first guess was to maybe clean the brakes etc.

 

it really does feel like it’s come from low down centre console - could that be part of the 4x4 system? 🤷‍♂️ any experience or similar threads with pleas for similar help?

 

thanks in advance!

Bevel drive to the rear propshaft likely candidate.

 

Can you see any oil laying on the undertray at the rear of the engine or dripping down from it?

Hose from exhaust tapping to DPF pressure sensor leaking?