[Nuclearboy]

Still Loving the Volt

Double post, Sorry for the fat finger response...

 

[Nuclearboy]

The boss told me her car was making a noise under the rear end.

This is the first time she mentioned it so I checked things out a little.

After 5 minutes or so it stopped.

Sounded like a little air pump running. I used to hear something similar when a car I owned with air suspsension in the rear would "pump up".

I don't think the Volt has an air suspension. Perhaps it is some type of inverter/charger making noise while charging the 12 V battery.

Car was off and unplugged.

I looked under the car and took a photo of what I believe was making the noise. Photo taken from under the rear bumber looking forward. I circled the area where noise was coming from. Just as I got ready to take a video with sound, it stopped.

Just wanted to see if anyone knows what this might be out of curiosity. The car is fine.

View attachment 130273

 

[Steverino]

The gas tank air pressurization system can run at random times.

 

[ClarksonCote]

The gas tank air pressurization system can run at random times.

Yup, this is what it is. Nothing to be concerned about. I've come out to find my Volt doing the same thing at random times in the garage, regardless of whether or not it is plugged in.

 

[HeatfanJohn]

The gas tank air pressurization system can run at random times.

What is the gas tank air pressurization system? I tried googling that phrase but didn't find anything related to automobile gas tanks. Does this system try to vent off extra pressure or keep the system under a higher pressure?

 

[Fyodor]

Haven't got an answer but I did get a juvenile smile at the headline.

 

[ghostgs1]

The Volt uses this system to keep the fuel tank pressurized. Supposedly helps to maintain the gas for long periods that it can remain in many owners cars.

 

[Fyodor]

The Volt uses this system to keep the fuel tank pressurized. Supposedly helps to maintain the gas for long periods that it can remain in many owners cars.

I understood it to be meant to reduce evaporative emissions.

Edit: found this;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/chevy-volts-sealed-gas-tank-brought-automakers-carb-together/

 

[HeatfanJohn]

Haven't got an answer but I did get a juvenile smile at the headline.

I missed that ... but not now! Thanks!

 

[Nuclearboy]

Thanks for all the responses. I figured it was something the car needed to do. It did sound like a little 12V air compressor running so this makes sense.

Love the Juvenile smile comment.

It figures the noise under the rear end had something to do with gaseous emissions of some sort