Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-01-2008, 09:38 AM
tbone526's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 188
Default Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

OK, since I can reproduce this easily I have to ask if anyone else is experiencing it:

When driving at 30+MPH, if I put up all the windows in my TCH except one of the rear windows, I get a very rapid ongoing pulsation of air pressure inside the car, I'm talking repeated overpressure, to the point where it's actually painful on the ears. It stops when the last window is put up, or if I open one of the front windows. I learned very quickly that if all the windows in the car are open, I close the rear ones first. Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, figured out what causes it?

I can tell you it is NOT a wheel vibration. It's some aerodynamic effect and grows more pronounced (and painful) at higher speeds.
 
  #2  
Old 10-01-2008, 09:44 AM
rmorrow's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 523
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

I've had that in every car I've ever owned. It's nothing special to the TCH. AS the air passes by the outside of the rear windows it sets up a resonance inside the car, giving the loud throbbing. It diminishes dramatically by carcking one of the front windows slightly, allowing a real air flow through the car.
 
  #3  
Old 10-01-2008, 10:22 AM
jg013c's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New York City Metro Area
Posts: 107
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

I had this problem with my previous car, a Toyota Rav4. It is as rmorrow describes, a resonance of air displacement.
 
  #4  
Old 10-01-2008, 11:27 AM
tbone526's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 188
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

Resonance is the word I was looking for and couldn't remember, thanks. That's exactly it. It's odd to me, as I've never experienced this with any other car.
 
  #5  
Old 10-01-2008, 11:41 AM
Droid13's Avatar
HSD Organic Interface
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 649
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

Originally Posted by rmorrow
I've had that in every car I've ever owned.
Yup, me too. If I roll my window down I always take another window down at least just a crack. On my Sienna (and the two GM minivans before), I always opened the rear quarter windows to eliminate this situation as well. I used to have an old Cavalier with manual windows. Fortunately it was small enough that I could lean over and crack the passenger window, or reach behind to crack open the backseat window whenever I wanted to have the driver's window down all the way. The guy that bought it from me put those rain guards on so he could have the windows open a crack all the time.
 
  #6  
Old 10-01-2008, 12:59 PM
schmidtj's Avatar
Keeping Toyota Solvent
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Posts: 1,069
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

I get the same issue with the sunroof open and a (I forget exactly which) combination of other windows being open or closed at the same time. Closing the sunroof a tad fixes it.
 
  #7  
Old 10-02-2008, 08:22 AM
wwest's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Default Re: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior

Removing the reverse flow "flutter" valve from the exhauster (usually in the bottom of one or both rear quarter panels) port will help somewhat.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TheBundo
Fuel Economy & Emissions
7
07-24-2016 09:09 PM
rfranzel
Toyota Camry Hybrid
10
05-14-2015 06:57 PM
jrthom
Toyota Camry Hybrid
4
07-24-2008 08:44 PM
cbxtc6
Honda Civic Hybrid
3
12-20-2004 10:27 AM



Quick Reply: Odd pulsation of air pressure in car's interior


Contact Us -

  • Manage Preferences
  • Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

    When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

    © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands


    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:13 PM.