Irritating noise!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Perth, Australia
Audi A4 Quattro 2013
I know this ain't a proper comparison by my previous car, a Holden (GM) did the same noise. My parents does this too.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
On the Holden Borg Warner tranny it is isually the first planetary set in the tranny that developes a whine due to crap gear finish.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Panama City Beach, FL
2007 Mercedes C230 Sport
*UPDATE* So just returned from mechanic. Explained noise I was hearing, & he drove it to see/hear for himself. He then checked all belts, pulleys, tensioners - all systems normal, no codes, apparently this is just the way the car drives. I'm really not liking it, but oh well...coulda been worse. At least I don't have to empty out my bank account for an expensive repair. Sad to say, but I'm not totally in love with my first Mercedes, as much as i wanted to love it, because it's a beautiful car. Maybe it'll grow on me....c'est la vie 
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From: Metro ATL
2001 E55 AMG (sold)
*UPDATE* So just returned from mechanic. Explained noise I was hearing, & he drove it to see/hear for himself. He then checked all belts, pulleys, tensioners - all systems normal, no codes, apparently this is just the way the car drives. I'm really not liking it, but oh well...coulda been worse. At least I don't have to empty out my bank account for an expensive repair. Sad to say, but I'm not totally in love with my first Mercedes, as much as i wanted to love it, because it's a beautiful car. Maybe it'll grow on me....c'est la vie
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Panama City Beach, FL
2007 Mercedes C230 Sport
Hmm. I still think its not totally normal. Maybe not a 'problem', but I'm sure that there are parts contributing to that noise that could be replaced and the car would be quieter. I guess for now, drive with the windows up and keep the radio on softly. If it gets worse, take it back.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Panama City Beach, FL
2007 Mercedes C230 Sport
**SECOND UPDATE** Drove the 2 hrs. the dealer for a second opinion - check engine light came on halfway thru the drive (how convenient). Cause of the CEL was a bad camshaft solenoid, which was under some kind of recall, so they replaced it for free. The source of the noise was NOT 'normal' like the independent mech claimed it to be. Turned out to be a bad a/c compressor pulley. $400 later, she's purring like a kitten - feels like a totally different car now. 
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Metro ATL
2001 E55 AMG (sold)
**SECOND UPDATE** Drove the 2 hrs. the dealer for a second opinion - check engine light came on halfway thru the drive (how convenient). Cause of the CEL was a bad camshaft solenoid, which was under some kind of recall, so they replaced it for free. The source of the noise was NOT 'normal' like the independent mech claimed it to be. Turned out to be a bad a/c compressor pulley. $400 later, she's purring like a kitten - feels like a totally different car now.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 645
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From: Perth, Australia
Audi A4 Quattro 2013
Great work! It's always good to get a 2nd opinion.
**SECOND UPDATE** Drove the 2 hrs. the dealer for a second opinion - check engine light came on halfway thru the drive (how convenient). Cause of the CEL was a bad camshaft solenoid, which was under some kind of recall, so they replaced it for free. The source of the noise was NOT 'normal' like the independent mech claimed it to be. Turned out to be a bad a/c compressor pulley. $400 later, she's purring like a kitten - feels like a totally different car now.
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Mercedes C230 2005
let me tell you..
Is this when you first start the car? When the car is parked and I start it, then leave 1min... It sounds a little different.. loud supercharger whine....
How's your rpm's looking? In park, then in drive...
Is this when you first start the car? When the car is parked and I start it, then leave 1min... It sounds a little different.. loud supercharger whine....
How's your rpm's looking? In park, then in drive...
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Mercedes C230 2005
Somehow missed that post... Glad it got fixed.. Im' sure it was the lovely screeching noise from AC.. Have to either try my pulley first or the alt all together
don't use the ac that much so not worth the messing around right now lol
sorry for the late post
don't use the ac that much so not worth the messing around right now lol
sorry for the late post
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Joined: Apr 2011
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2002 c240
whining noise from 30mph ~ 50mph
Hi guys, I have had the same noises coming from my 2002 C240. Once it was the idler pulley, then another time it was the power steering fluid being too low. Thanks to this forum I have figured that out. Now I have another noise that sounds like its the transmission when I am driving from 30mph ~50mph. The car has 163477 miles and did a simple tranny flush and differential oil flush last week. The sound is still there. Even if I pop the transmission into Neutral, you can still hear it. That's why I think its the transmission. The car drives fine but its annoying as hell. Maybe its just like Glyn M Ruck suggests that its the engine / 722.6 tranny characteristic. TS74, was the sound you hearing continuously on even if your A/C was OFF? If turn the radio up then I don't hear it. However I would like know if its the tranny going or the A/C compressor. I guess I need a second opinion. Took it to a local Indy Mechanic and said not to flush the tranny and to drive it as is. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
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From: Panama City Beach, FL
2007 Mercedes C230 Sport
Hi guys, I have had the same noises coming from my 2002 C240. Once it was the idler pulley, then another time it was the power steering fluid being too low. Thanks to this forum I have figured that out. Now I have another noise that sounds like its the transmission when I am driving from 30mph ~50mph. The car has 163477 miles and did a simple tranny flush and differential oil flush last week. The sound is still there. Even if I pop the transmission into Neutral, you can still hear it. That's why I think its the transmission. The car drives fine but its annoying as hell. Maybe its just like Glyn M Ruck suggests that its the engine / 722.6 tranny characteristic. TS74, was the sound you hearing continuously on even if your A/C was OFF? If turn the radio up then I don't hear it. However I would like know if its the tranny going or the A/C compressor. I guess I need a second opinion. Took it to a local Indy Mechanic and said not to flush the tranny and to drive it as is. Any suggestions?
Last edited by TS74; Sep 13, 2011 at 01:33 AM. Reason: Misspelled word
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Our C230Ks are nothing like the cars they're talking about in this thread. Our cars sounding like diesels, tractors, etc is normal. The screech from the A/C seems to be related to our engines not theirs, but I've never had it.
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2002 c240
whining noise from 30mph ~ 50mph and droning,whistling noise from 50~80 mph
Hey guys thanks for the response. It is a continuous noise from after you are accellerating from 30mph to about 80mph. the higher the speed, the higher the pitch. It sounds like a 737 taking off and landing when you decelerate. I donot hear it when I am in Park and rev the engine. It only when the car is moving at the those speeds. It has to be the tranny, differential or bearings in IRS. I have travelled down the freeway and popped into neutral and the noise is still there. I donot know what else to do but have the dealer diagnose it for 300 bucks. Any ideas? Thanks, in advance.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
You could put the car on the local dyno & stand next to it to see where the noise is coming from. Wheel bearing or drive shaft bearings ? Are you sure it is not scalloped tyres. They can set up a good howl. Hope its not the transmission.
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2002 c240
whining noise from 30mph ~ 50mph and droning,whistling noise from 50~80 mph
No its not the tires. There actually pretty new and I can take it in every 6000 miles to have them balanced and rotated. Its definitely in the drive train. You can hear it inside the cabin. It sounds more from the rear of the cabin than the front. Thanks!
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: San Antonio
2006 C230 Sport
Loud whirring noise
If someone can tell me how to attach a video to this, I will so you can hear what I am talking about.
I have a 2006 C230 Sport. I took it to Mercedes to have the oil changed. Ever since, from the second you start the engine until you turn it off, it makes the most obnoxious LOUD whirring noise.
My ex (who is a domestic car mechanic) said instantly it was the power steering pump. We put fluid in, drove it around and its still making that noise. The more I accelerate, the louder it gets. You can hear me coming a mile a way.
Rack and Pinion maybe??
I have a 2006 C230 Sport. I took it to Mercedes to have the oil changed. Ever since, from the second you start the engine until you turn it off, it makes the most obnoxious LOUD whirring noise.
My ex (who is a domestic car mechanic) said instantly it was the power steering pump. We put fluid in, drove it around and its still making that noise. The more I accelerate, the louder it gets. You can hear me coming a mile a way.
Rack and Pinion maybe??
