eddieb

Hi everyone, new member here needing some advice please. Just got a 2003 clk55 amg in gleaming black. have noticed when i start the car up there is a loud whining noise from the engine compartment which then quietens down after a minute or so, but can still be heard slightly when i drive near a wall or other sound reflective surface. Anything i should worry about or is this peculiar to these cars as I have heard it on another 03 model like mine.

Chappy

Based on your description, it does not sound normal. Me? I'd have it examined by a professional in short order.

Jaki

My first thought was the belts, did you check them out to make sure they're in good condition?

ItalianStallion

Pop the hood to find where its coming from. If not, you're probably due for a trip to the dealer.

scrapes55

Does this happen when it is hot outside and you have the AC on?

I have the same whisling sound. I opened up the hood, looks like fan is going crazy when the AC is in max cool mode.

I will ask about it in my next visit to dealer.

Stiggs

When I start my car the engine does sound funny at first....but it has always happened so I figured it was normal. It does go away and I have not yet heard it when driving. Not sure if we are hearing the same sound. My noise is kinda like a high pitch whine......but only in the first two seconds the engine turns over. After that the noise dies right down.

I dunno? Car drives fine for me.

eddieb

Stiggs, it is exactly like you said - a high pitched whine which does die down but takes a bit longer than a few seconds. One of the Tech/guys on the Tech/forum said it was an air pump which helps heat up the cats more quickly,and as such is normal.(it does sound like a belt though).

Stiggs

I guess I just assumed it was normal. Does the car drive well? I figure....if it ain't broke...don't fix it. I try not to over analyze all the funny noises both my Mercedes make...... I would always be at the shop! As long as I can still burn the tires...I'm happy!

MercedesFTW

The one I test drove made a similar sound to that description.

Supposed to be normal, or so they tell me.

Improviz

...I noticed it too when I got mine, but tech told me it was normal...so, I went around the lot and checked several of them out, and the tech was right. Kind of sounds like a whine, lasts about 10-15 seconds tops after car is started.

Can Drive 55

I agree with Improviz on this. Mine makes the same noise and I asked a tech at the MB dealership in Dallas and he said that all of them do it.