Notices
Mercedes Tech Talk Discuss general technical questions and issues about your Mercedes-Benz. Moderated by a certified MB Tech.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

air release sound from car

Old Dec 31, 2005 | 01:32 AM
  #1  
hotwiredbenz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
air release sound from car

I have a 03 e500...lately Ive noticed a strange noise. I hear a humming noise while driving at moderate speeds and the sound builds up while Im driving. Once I slow down or stop completely, the humming sound stops and I hear a very noticeable air release sound from the front of the car. It sounds like the air brakes on a truck. ANy idea what this is? Could it be the SBC or maybe the airmatic suspension? The dealer wasnt able to find anything wrong.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 08:37 PM
  #2  
benz-tech's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 11
BMW E30. I've turned to the dark side.
its the airmatic suspension releasing air. some noise is normal but its possible the release line may have popped out of the chamber in the front bumper that helps quiet the noise. if it happens often, like every time you come to a stop, there may be something else wrong.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 05:17 AM
  #3  
hotwiredbenz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
Originally Posted by benz-tech
its the airmatic suspension releasing air. some noise is normal but its possible the release line may have popped out of the chamber in the front bumper that helps quiet the noise. if it happens often, like every time you come to a stop, there may be something else wrong.

thanks for the tip. So its most likely not the SBC then correct? I hear the sound on about half of my stops. I also hear it once in awhile while driving, usually right when i start slowing down
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
benz-tech's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 11
BMW E30. I've turned to the dark side.
there are other noises associated w/ SBC. one occasional noise is during pressure buildup on the SBC pump. park the car, turn the car off and start pumping the brake pedal, you will hear/feal the pressure pump turn on. if that is the same sound and the sound/vibration bothers you, there is a small modification that any dealer can perform by putting a damper in the fill line. HTH
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 01:56 PM
  #5  
hotwiredbenz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
Originally Posted by benz-tech
there are other noises associated w/ SBC. one occasional noise is during pressure buildup on the SBC pump. park the car, turn the car off and start pumping the brake pedal, you will hear/feal the pressure pump turn on. if that is the same sound and the sound/vibration bothers you, there is a small modification that any dealer can perform by putting a damper in the fill line. HTH

its definitely not the same vibration/sound I get from pumping the brake. This sound is very noticeable humming noise that constantly builds up and gets louder as I drive and then stops with a "PSSSHH" air burst noise when I brake or slow down..similar to the air brake on a truck. The sound is loud enough to where people in the next car can hear it. I feel like I'm driving a semi-truck.

Last edited by hotwiredbenz; Jan 1, 2006 at 02:57 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2006 | 09:38 PM
  #6  
hotwiredbenz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
figured out it def is the airmatic. Once I hear the howling sound, pressing the reaise car button eliminates the sound and I immediately hear the air release noise. So this is most likely just a release line loose? The pump isnt faulty right?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 10:21 PM
  #7  
MB Fanatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1
From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
I dont think the pump is faulty, but take it to the dealer in any case and just have them check it out. Better safe than sorry.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 11:02 AM
  #8  
hotwiredbenz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
'07 s550 4matic
I have taken it to several places and nobody has been able to find anything wrong with the car. Though they have been able to hear the sound.

I am 100% sure though it has something to do with the airmatic
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

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 09:26 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE