M279 "whirring" noise?

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Mar 19, 2025 | 02:25 PM
  #1  
Hello folks,

Trying to figure out what this "whirring" noise is from my C217 M279. I can describe it as:

1) It sounds like an electronic version of a wastegate, that's struggling to open or close
2) It only happens during deceleration or when coming to a stop
3) Of course, I can't replicate it on my driveway when in Park, so I can't hop out to stick my head under the hood and find it
4) Revving in park doesn't make it come back; it appears it needs to happen when in drive and under certain conditions (which I can't seem to replicate)
5) You can faintly hear it from the driver's seat as a "whirrrrr" for a few seconds. Or perhaps more accurately as an "errrrrrrr" sound. It's not the sound of a bad pulley bearing (I had those on the C55)
6) There's no codes and the car appears to drive normally, albeit a little sluggish due to the V12 programming (but nothing new there). It still pulls like no other when you really get on it.

At first, I thought it was maybe a suspension or brake related component (MBC or ABS) but that seems to be working just fine and doesn't make a noise during all braking and/or when raising or lowering the vehicle.

Side note: Every so often, I also have this strange issue on takeoff from a stop - when accelerating with about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle, the throttle becomes extremely jerky like if I'm on and off the gas every half second. It makes the car lunge/lurch up and down. I need to completely get off the throttle and let it come to vacuum before I can get back on the throttle and drive normally. I'm not sure if this is related to the whirring sound, but thought I'd post about it too.
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Mar 27, 2025 | 04:48 PM
  #2  
I think I may have the same issue. Only hear it while in gear and at idle after coming to a stop. Once I touch the gas it goes away, put it in park it goes away. It sounds like cavitation so I was thinking maybe it could be the power steering pump but doesn’t make sense that it makes the noise not under load. Hopefully someone will chime in with some info.
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Mar 28, 2025 | 11:57 PM
  #3  
Electric power steering in a 222 says not a power steering pump noise.

If you listen closely you can hear MBC calling for pressure from the pump, and it saying “I’m good” when it has enough.

A keen ear will pick up on A/C calling for more effort from the variable displacement compressor.

These things get easier to pick out as the car ages.
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