E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

whining noise

Old Jul 21, 2007 | 09:23 AM
  #1  
Piranajoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Nassau, Bahamas
2003 E500
whining noise

HAs anyone ever noticed a whining noise from the engine compartment.
It's very evident with windows open, but can still be heard with a/c on and windows closed. Thanks for any info.
2003 E500 52k miles
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 12:34 PM
  #2  
csumt76's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 2
From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
You could have...

1. Low steering fluid

2. Noisy A/C compressor

3. Noisy upper idler pulley.

Internet diagnosis predicts a %70 chance that it is #2.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 12:42 PM
  #3  
starbrite's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
Or possibly the belt. Check for cracks and/or "shiny" contact surface. No % prediction.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 12:50 PM
  #4  
BudC's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Have you opened the hood to check it out?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 01:29 PM
  #5  
Barry45RPM's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by BudC
Have you opened the hood to check it out?
No. 100% Prediction.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 03:26 PM
  #6  
Piranajoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Nassau, Bahamas
2003 E500
Originally Posted by csumt76
You could have...

1. Low steering fluid

2. Noisy A/C compressor

3. Noisy upper idler pulley.

Internet diagnosis predicts a %70 chance that it is #2.

The steering fluid is ok.
The noise is present with A/C Off.
The belts look Ok. The SA at MB said its normal , but on my E320 its definetly not there.
Finally. I did open the hood to check it out!
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 03:27 PM
  #7  
55fanatic's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
SBC pump... thats my guess
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 04:33 PM
  #8  
JRAMGV8's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,574
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
I had that same problem too, I took it to the dealer and they couldnt find the problem but they went ahead and replace the water pump and belt (that's what they said). After that the problem was gone!!!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 04:46 PM
  #9  
starbrite's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
But Jram you have a completely different car (or do you also have a w211?) and I can't imagine
any dealer replacing a water pump when they can't determine that that's the source of the problem.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 06:00 PM
  #10  
JRAMGV8's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,574
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
Originally Posted by starbrite
But Jram you have a completely different car (or do you also have a w211?) and I can't imagine
any dealer replacing a water pump when they can't determine that that's the source of the problem.
Sorry I wasn't clear, I have the C280 with extended warranty. The dealers always have some excuse "nothing is wrong". So for second time I took it back and I insisted and pushed to get it fix and so they replaced the belt and water pump because they (assume) that could be the problem. When I got the car back the noise was gone. So afterwards the Service Tech told me that was the problem... Funny they couldn't located the problem inthe beginning...
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 09:55 AM
  #11  
merc687's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Mercedes E350
Originally Posted by JRAMGV8
Sorry I wasn't clear, I have the C280 with extended warranty. The dealers always have some excuse "nothing is wrong". So for second time I took it back and I insisted and pushed to get it fix and so they replaced the belt and water pump because they (assume) that could be the problem. When I got the car back the noise was gone. So afterwards the Service Tech told me that was the problem... Funny they couldn't located the problem inthe beginning...

i also have the same problem they said its nothing wrong but its a water pump..
do you have any idea how much does it cost to replace it
thank you
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 10:53 AM
  #12  
Barry45RPM's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I often hear a "WOOoooooooo" sound which fades in around 30 MPH & fades out at somewhat higher speed. I believe its when the car is cold only. It has been there since new, and other than fading in & out, its pitch & volume is not RPM, Speed or direction dependent... just its fade in & out... it continues to "wooooo" even if I lift my foot off the gas. If I had to guess, I'd say its under the car somewhat towards the mid/ rear. Its still a mystery to me almost 3 years later.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 05:23 PM
  #13  
pinebaron's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 18
From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
I often hear a "WOOoooooooo" sound which fades in around 30 MPH & fades out at somewhat higher speed. I believe its when the car is cold only. It has been there since new, and other than fading in & out, its pitch & volume is not RPM, Speed or direction dependent... just its fade in & out... it continues to "wooooo" even if I lift my foot off the gas. If I had to guess, I'd say its under the car somewhat towards the mid/ rear. Its still a mystery to me almost 3 years later.
You must have a Banshee under the car ; it probably got stuck in there while the vehicle was being built.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 06:17 PM
  #14  
vettdvr's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Originally Posted by csumt76
You could have...

1. Low steering fluid

2. Noisy A/C compressor

3. Noisy upper idler pulley.

Internet diagnosis predicts a %70 chance that it is #2.
Could be any of these and including SBC pump.

However my $$ is on #3. I changed my belt at 85,000 miles and the idle pulley was rough. I was suprised to find on inspection from opening the bearing there was no lube left in the bearing.

(Mounted the pulley in the lathe then pressed the bearing out for the inspection). This failure is common but might not be the source of noise.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:58 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE