2003 E500 making a whining noise at low and high speeds
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2003 E500 making a whining noise at low and high speeds
Hello all, I have a 2003 E500 which makes a whiny noise from under the hood(it seems), especially if the vehicle isnt warmed up fully. Sounds like a belt maybe. Seems to be getting louder and more frequent with time or with the colder weather. Car has 88 miles. When I hear the noise, If I slow down to almost a stop, it stops and I can drive again until it whines...eventually, it stops whining after Ive been driving for about 20-30 mins. What could this possibly be??
Thanks in advance for your expertise.
Thanks in advance for your expertise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
ok here is a guess.
1) power steering fluid needs to be changed with proper MB fluid
2) possible bearing on ilde pulley or tensioner.
The fact that it 'quits' leads me to think you are having power steering pump whine and should change the fluid.
1) power steering fluid needs to be changed with proper MB fluid
2) possible bearing on ilde pulley or tensioner.
The fact that it 'quits' leads me to think you are having power steering pump whine and should change the fluid.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I have that whine too. It goes away when the car is warm, and the pitch of the whine does not go up or down with varying speeds. I've been told it is some transmission pump whine.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2016 E400, 2015 GLK 350
I had a similar whine with my 2007 E550. Dealer said maybe idler pulley and maybe transmission pump. It continued to get worse until one day the transmission failed. Turned out two O-rings on transmission ECU solenoids had failed. $1300 later, the transmission worked again and the whine was gone.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I had a similar whine with my 2007 E550. Dealer said maybe idler pulley and maybe transmission pump. It continued to get worse until one day the transmission failed. Turned out two O-rings on transmission ECU solenoids had failed. $1300 later, the transmission worked again and the whine was gone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Pump whine can occur from the transmission pump driven by the torque converter main drive in the front of the transmission. Wear or bad seals allowing caviatatinn can cause pump noise that will sound like a whine and vary with engine speed as it is a direct couple to the engine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Pump whine can occur from the transmission pump driven by the torque converter main drive in the front of the transmission. Wear or bad seals allowing caviatatinn can cause pump noise that will sound like a whine and vary with engine speed as it is a direct couple to the engine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I replaced my idle pulley about 2 yrs ago with one from AZ. I checked the bearing inside the pulley and the OEM pulley and AZ had the same made in china bearing. Why pay the $50 for OME when AZ at $20 gives you the same "made in china" bearing.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Sofia, Bulgaria
e220 cdi w211
I had a very similar issue with my Merc. It turned out to be the water pump. The best way to diagnose it is to take off the belt and spin all the pulleys by hand. The one that whines, change it. However, taking off the belt might turn out to be a complicated task for someone that never did it, so better go to your favorite service shop.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
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2003 m benz e240 elegance
thanks guys, i replaced the idle pulley today however the sound although less intense was still there. the mechanic changed the power steering fluid and since then it has improve significantly.There is still a little sound which the mechanic said will go away in a few days but i am wondering if that sound is normal since it is barely audible
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
thanks guys, i replaced the idle pulley today however the sound although less intense was still there. the mechanic changed the power steering fluid and since then it has improve significantly.There is still a little sound which the mechanic said will go away in a few days but i am wondering if that sound is normal since it is barely audible
