need help. humming/moaning sound from under car at highway speed
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
need help. humming/moaning sound from under car at highway speed
I have a 2001 e430 with 116,000 miles. For the past month, my car has been making a low resonating HMMMMMMMM sound while cruising under light load at highway speeds of 40mph and above. It is most pronounced at about 1400 rpm and again at 2100 rpm when applying just a little throttle. An increase in throttle boosts the rpm and the sound goes away. Foot off the gas makes the sound go away too. Sometimes the sound will rise by almost an octave and go back down. Sounds almost like those sonar recordings of whales talking to each other. Otherwise it runs fine and feels smooth.
Anybody have an idea what this might be? Could it be the infamous harmonic balancer problem? I'm going to take the car in to the dealer for an "A" service soon and will ask them to look at this but I wanted to be armed with this groups wisdom before I go in. Any help will be appreciated.
thanks in advance,
Fred
Anybody have an idea what this might be? Could it be the infamous harmonic balancer problem? I'm going to take the car in to the dealer for an "A" service soon and will ask them to look at this but I wanted to be armed with this groups wisdom before I go in. Any help will be appreciated.
thanks in advance,
Fred
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Check the
shifter bushings.
Do not take it to the dealer for an A service.You can easily perform that yourself and clear the fss light.
Or at least if you don't do your own maint. interval work,like simple oil changes,go to a place like the http://www.theworkshopmb.com/
in the bay area or have them come to you with the mobile service.
They charge less than the dealer and are more through and real.
or have them locate the sound and fix it,and then you do the A service.
Plugs been done?
Trans fluid changed yet?
If at 116k miles you are way past due.
MB spec fluid only.
Do not take it to the dealer for an A service.You can easily perform that yourself and clear the fss light.
Or at least if you don't do your own maint. interval work,like simple oil changes,go to a place like the http://www.theworkshopmb.com/
in the bay area or have them come to you with the mobile service.
They charge less than the dealer and are more through and real.
or have them locate the sound and fix it,and then you do the A service.
Plugs been done?
Trans fluid changed yet?
If at 116k miles you are way past due.
MB spec fluid only.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Guess I'm just going to have to take it to the dealer and trust that they won't rip me off...
Fred
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
shifter bushings.
Do not take it to the dealer for an A service.You can easily perform that yourself and clear the fss light.
Or at least if you don't do your own maint. interval work,like simple oil changes,go to a place like the http://www.theworkshopmb.com/
in the bay area or have them come to you with the mobile service.
They charge less than the dealer and are more through and real.
or have them locate the sound and fix it,and then you do the A service.
Plugs been done?
Trans fluid changed yet?
If at 116k miles you are way past due.
MB spec fluid only.
Do not take it to the dealer for an A service.You can easily perform that yourself and clear the fss light.
Or at least if you don't do your own maint. interval work,like simple oil changes,go to a place like the http://www.theworkshopmb.com/
in the bay area or have them come to you with the mobile service.
They charge less than the dealer and are more through and real.
or have them locate the sound and fix it,and then you do the A service.
Plugs been done?
Trans fluid changed yet?
If at 116k miles you are way past due.
MB spec fluid only.
Plugs were done at 96K
Trans oil drain and filter done 86K and 96K miles. All done at dealer by PO.
Fred
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Olivebranch, MS
2000 E 430, - sports pkg -
My 2000 e 430 is doing the EXACT same thing. At 42-48 mph it starts, no vibration, cannot locate orig. but sounds more like coming from rear - just sounds like when your tires hit those rippled out of lane indicators on the highway (just the sound) and hums - changes octives as mentioned. Started two weeks ago, but now getting worse and doing it 70-80 mph. Once you let off the accelerator or press more sound goes away. Took it to the local only MB indy shop and the owner rode with me and could not figure it out. He drove the car with me for 20 + min trying to locate sound. He checked the car over and looked for any lose body molds, and to see if anything could be vibrating - though he agreed with me if that was the case, it would only get louder when I accelerate. I am to go back next week as he researches the possibilities.
He mentioned it was not the bearings, as I asked that too, cause the sound would be constant and not dependant on accelerator pedal.
Please keep us updated, as I will too, on what is your vehicles condition. In my case, I work out of my car marketing, so I do not want to take a chance and something major happen. Thanks
He mentioned it was not the bearings, as I asked that too, cause the sound would be constant and not dependant on accelerator pedal.
Please keep us updated, as I will too, on what is your vehicles condition. In my case, I work out of my car marketing, so I do not want to take a chance and something major happen. Thanks
Last edited by rhettnash; Mar 28, 2009 at 12:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
My 2000 e 430 is doing the EXACT same thing. At 42-48 mph it starts, no vibration, cannot locate orig. but sounds more like coming from rear - just sounds like when your tires hit those rippled out of lane indicators on the highway (just the sound) and hums - changes octives as mentioned. Started two weeks ago, but now getting worse and doing it 70-80 mph. Once you let off the accelerator or press more sound goes away. Took it to the local only MB indy shop and the owner rode with me and could not figure it out. He drove the car with me for 20 + min trying to locate sound. He checked the car over and looked for any lose body molds, and to see if anything could be vibrating - though he agreed with me if that was the case, it would only get louder when I accelerate. I am to go back next week as he researches the possibilities.
He mentioned it was not the bearings, as I asked that too, cause the sound would be constant and not dependant on accelerator pedal.
Please keep us updated, as I will too, on what is your vehicles condition. In my case, I work out of my car marketing, so I do not want to take a chance and something major happen. Thanks
He mentioned it was not the bearings, as I asked that too, cause the sound would be constant and not dependant on accelerator pedal.
Please keep us updated, as I will too, on what is your vehicles condition. In my case, I work out of my car marketing, so I do not want to take a chance and something major happen. Thanks
Fred
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Olivebranch, MS
2000 E 430, - sports pkg -
I had mentioned the fluid dif. fluid replacement to my mechanic. My wife's AWD honda element (please don't ask!!!!) was making a some what similiar noise, but only when turning, almost grounding sound though. The dealer informed me that they could replace the diff. fluid for 90$ and it would stop it. I didn't believe them since it only had 38,000 miles (warranty still in effect on powertrain) on it. Got another opinion at an Indie Honda shop by my house, he called another dealership because he thought it was BS too, and they suggested the same. Oil change and diff fluid changed out - 40$ total at his shop and the sound went away. The mechanic said the diff. fluid appeared to be transmission fluid if not something similiar!!!
I will see Monday on the MB - Good luck
I will see Monday on the MB - Good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Change the rear diff fluid
mobil diff fluid,diy on benzworld.org,with added suggesting on the little boat pump to fill it easily after drained.
Rare to have a bearing failure and you are due for the fluid change.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/..._75W-90LS.aspx
is plenty thick enough and will quiet down the problem,if it is even a problem.Which if it came out of the mouth of a service rep,I doubt
"GOT CODES?"
Rare to have a bearing failure and you are due for the fluid change.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/..._75W-90LS.aspx
is plenty thick enough and will quiet down the problem,if it is even a problem.Which if it came out of the mouth of a service rep,I doubt
"GOT CODES?"
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Mars Red 2005 C230k, 2001 E320 4matic
I hate to bring back an old thread but better then starting a new. I'm having this same problem! Although it does get worse as I increase my speed, it still hhmmm's when I take my foot off. The transmission is shifting fine and other then the slack "clunk" at 30mph everything seems fine. It's quite anoyying, I just got back from a road trip and it was just oscillating in my head like a bass note.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
The humming noise went away after my right rear cat started rattling and I replaced the cat. I'm thinking that it was the matrix in the cat coming loose and vibrating against the housing at certain engine speeds. Once the matrix broke loose, the vibration noise went away. I'm now at 148K miles and I'm starting to hear it again so I'm waiting to see if the left rear cat starts rattling soon. We'll see...
Fred
Fred
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Mars Red 2005 C230k, 2001 E320 4matic
I did not expect the op to respond on such an old thread. Thank you though!! I will check mine out. I just got stuck in a snow bank and had to dig myself out. I was thrashing at the exhaust in the cross fire of hacking at the ice an snow so maybe it had something to do with it. I dont know, but thank you for responding
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1995 e320 Wagon
Resurrecting... AGAIN
Just want to say I'm having the EXACT same problem. I am going to see about solving it as I'm not sure what's causing my problem, yet, and then come back and post another reply. Wish me luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
If you
have a 1995 E320 you won't have the same problem,it is a different model entirely. You have the M104 engine,different exhaust,different transmission,different injection,,,
So are you in the correct forum?
Or do you own a w210 and not list it in your profile?
So are you in the correct forum?
Or do you own a w210 and not list it in your profile?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA (Castaic)
2002 E320
Good to know. My '02 makes a consistent noise coming from the rear end. I think it's the bearings. I may jack it up and take a look at the rear diff. No change in the noise when I increase or decrease the gas. Worth a look though.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
1998 e430
Video of the sound
I'm running into this now. I was feeling it might be behind the transmission itself, but I thought perhaps that was just wishful thinking.
Any further updates from your findings? I did have the rear diff fluid changed preventative back in 2018 when I bought the car. Though I imagine they didn't use a heavy diff grease but rather than trans fluid as someone mentioned. I hope it IS the exhaust and not the driveline or God forbid, the transmission.
Thanks all!
Any further updates from your findings? I did have the rear diff fluid changed preventative back in 2018 when I bought the car. Though I imagine they didn't use a heavy diff grease but rather than trans fluid as someone mentioned. I hope it IS the exhaust and not the driveline or God forbid, the transmission.
Thanks all!
