2009 Pontiac Torrent Odd sound when driving in heavy rain with standing water on road.

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PT Owner

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My torrent makes this odd sound -- like loud groaning maybe (hard to describe) with vibration -- only when driving in heavy rain/standing water on the roadway. Once you stop for a minute the water seams to drain out and then it runs fine. Doesn't appear to cause any steering issues or stalling. Does not matter the speed you are going. Happens in town going 25 and on the highway with higher speeds. I recently had the vehicle in and had the suspension and wheel bearings checked. Also had the mechanic do a full inspection, I have no mechanical issues that they can find (I had it in for something else - its been dry so I had forgotten to talk to them about it) Car is in good shape and only has 60,000 miles. Had new front struts put on last year, but it made this noise in the rain even before then. No noise at all when driving on dry road. Sound only happens after driving in heavy rain for a bit. Anyone else have an issue like this.
 
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PT Owner said:
My torrent makes this odd sound -- like loud whirring or groaning maybe (hard to describe) -- only when driving in heavy rain/standing water on the roadway. Once you stop for a minute the water seams to drain out and then it runs fine. Doesn't appear to cause any steering issues or stalling. Does not matter the speed you are going. Happens in town going 25 and on the highway with higher speeds. I recently had the vehicle in and had the suspension and wheel bearings checked. Also had the mechanic do a full inspection, I have no mechanical issues that they can find (I had it in for something else - its been dry so I had forgotten to talk to them about it) Car is in good shape and only has 60,000 miles. Had new front struts put on last year, but it made this noise in the rain even before then. No noise at all when driving on dry road. Sound only happens after driving in heavy rain for a bit. Anyone else have an issue like this.
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Have you tried using a water hose to duplicate the issue?
 
melsg5 said:
Have you tried using a water hose to duplicate the issue?
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No I have not sprayed water on it. It's not something that happens right away, it takes 10 min or so of driving before it happens. And it is only on wet/rainy roads. So I think I would have to spray from the bottom? I have had it through the auto car wash many times and that does not recreate the issue. It's seems to be only when the car is moving.
 
PT Owner said:
No I have not sprayed water on it. It's not something that happens right away, it takes 10 min or so of driving before it happens. And it is only on wet/rainy roads. So I think I would have to spray from the bottom? I have had it through the auto car wash many times and that does not recreate the issue. It's seems to be only when the car is moving.
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How old is the engine serpentine belt?
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melsg5 said:
How old is the engine serpentine belt?
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Serpentine belt I believe is original -- the vehicle has 60,000 miles. It was a 1 owner (my grandmother -- I bought it off her estate with 52,000 miles on it and garaged it's whole life). I did read that a serpentine belt could cause sound if it was worn and got water on it, and then would stop once it dried out (although I read that might have more of a squealing type sound - mine is more vibration than anything, which does cause noise). This happens as you are driving and as long as you can get stopped for a minute the sound goes away -- Would a serpentine belt dry that fast ???

I was just into the mechanic last week for an inspection before winter hits, was given a clean bill of health. I didn't ask about the serpentine belt -- but I would think if it was worn my mechanic would have mentioned that. Maybe??? :) I could certainly try to go look at it. I would be looking for what -- like breaks or cracks in the belt?

I am also having trouble pinpointing a specific side it's coming from, sounds and feels the same in drivers seat and while riding passenger in the front.
 
Original from 2009? Mileage is meaningless on something that old. I would have changed it at 10 years, even if it's not the source of your problem.
 
melsg5 said:
Original from 2009? Mileage is meaningless on something that old. I would have changed it at 10 years, even if it's not the source of your problem.
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I will check with my mechanic and see if it was indeed worn. Like I said I just had it into the shop for a full inspection just last week. I also just received the car in my care this last year. I cannot say for sure if it was changed at one point or not. So there is no way for me to have been able to change it at 10 years old. But I will check -- thanks for your advice.
 
Checked my serpentine belt. No signs of cracking, fraying or glazing. I will ask my mechanic about replacing as I do not know if it was ever done - might be better to have them give me their advice on if it needs done, over me doing a visual. However, I do not think that is the issue to my water problems.
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