Whining AMG
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio, USAJazz musician
04 clk55 amg, 04 Jag XJR
Whining AMG
Recently bought an 04 CLK55 amg with 8,500 mi. for $28K. Incl new tires & battery. It looks newer than new! BUT, the engine would whine loudly on startop from cold , to fade away after c. 4 mins. NOT a low mile $85,000 sound at all. Local (Toledo, OH) MB dealer replaced power strg. pump bearings to fix ($900) but whine was still there! Next, the same dealer replaced some belts and pulleys ($550 - a price break since the original problem had not been fixed!). The second "fix" kept the car off the road for THREE WEEKS with no response to two messages to the service mgr. I picked the car up today and it sounded O.K. (perhaps it was warmed up?) but when I started the car from cold just now the whine is back! After the first misdiagnosis I had the service mgr. plus his top tech LISTEN with me on a cold startup so we would all agree on what needed fixing (that awful whining noise). So now I'm out $1,450 and I've still got that freaking whine to suffer through. Any ideas on (1) how to deal with the MB dealership. (After two ignored phone calls and other signals I strongly. suspect the service mgr. is avoiding me), and (2) what's causing that damned WHINING NOISE?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
I would do the research and find an independent mechanic who will spend the time to diagnose the problem before throwing parts randomly at the car while praying " that'll fix it I'm sure". Just my. 02. Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Mine whines on cold start up, but I don't think its that bad. I'm used to it. I just figured its normal for the engine.
Maybe take a vid of the noise so we can hear if its any louder or worse than what we are experiencing.
Maybe take a vid of the noise so we can hear if its any louder or worse than what we are experiencing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 100
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
Might be the fan clutch,
Just a hunch, when the engine is turned off hot the clutch is engaged, when starting cold it is still engaged until the thermo element on the front un-locks it.
Have a friend start the car while you inspect under the hood, It might get us closer.
All that Jazz, Gator
Just a hunch, when the engine is turned off hot the clutch is engaged, when starting cold it is still engaged until the thermo element on the front un-locks it.
Have a friend start the car while you inspect under the hood, It might get us closer.
All that Jazz, Gator
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 6
From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
'02 W208 CLK55 AMG, '99 Lexus LS400
You owned a benz before? As others have pointed out it seems like Mercedes of this era have that characteristic whine on startup. My 02 clk55 has it, my mothers 2006 ml500 has it, her old ml320 had it, my fathers old s320 had it, and all other Benzes that I seem to encounter or drive have it, although I haven't been around enough of the new new cars to know if it's still got that signature whine. All I know is if I had never owned a Mercedes or had prior experience with them the sound would worry me as well! Again as others have stated try to post a video with clear sound so that we may help ease your worries. Also great find!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
'02 W208 CLK55 AMG, '99 Lexus LS400
Also another tip! Try to avoid stealerships, do some research and you could find there's a very good, reputable independent mechanic in your area with people that truly know what they're doing and take pride in it. Plus you won't be charged the ungodly price per hour for labor. But that's just my experience with Mercedes dealers, I suppose they can't all be bad.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 3
From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
Normal
Both my 430 and 55 do it. Secondary air pump... COMPLETELY normal! Every Mercedes that I've driven has done it, and it's completely normal... Heck, even the Chrysler Crossfire (slk320) does it. I'd stop throwing parts at it especially since, if it goes away after it warms up for a minute, you're fine... It's similar to the delayed shifting when it's cold. Old 5.7 TPI Chevy engines had "Cold Start Injectors" for this same reason. It's to assist in the cold weather starting and running of the vehicle.
