2008 S63 AMG low steady whining noise
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do you get free petrol / nought to the gallon ?
how about video - where you let it use 1 st gear and don't press the pedal down more than half inch and never go above 1800 rpm and don't exceed 25mph just waft up and down to a gentle rest
that way we might hear something
if I drove my NA car like that I'd be mostly in orbit and have gone passed about 15 speed cameras at about 4 times the limit
how about video - where you let it use 1 st gear and don't press the pedal down more than half inch and never go above 1800 rpm and don't exceed 25mph just waft up and down to a gentle rest
that way we might hear something
if I drove my NA car like that I'd be mostly in orbit and have gone passed about 15 speed cameras at about 4 times the limit
But as per your request:
hope that helps.
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S500
well this time I clearly hear a whine type sound... but its very constant. really needs someone with this exact model to compare to the noises they are used to
I was hoping for more of a gentle wafting around with revs rising and falling a bit more...
to start with (early in the video) it seemed so constant I was going to say its your tyres (might be a contributory factor - some patterns really argue especially on concrete), then it became a bit more like the AC noise I'm on about, then I thought its more like something in the driveline
have you checked under the bonnet at the drive belt... it has so many idlers that have chocolate bearings and they can be loud - and recently we discover the belt can come off and get eaten - destroying the engine, by magically being pulled in via the front crank oil seal till it locks things up - apparently is not that unusual on many brands - particularly if the belt is sopping wet with oil leaks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M156_engine
I was hoping for more of a gentle wafting around with revs rising and falling a bit more...
to start with (early in the video) it seemed so constant I was going to say its your tyres (might be a contributory factor - some patterns really argue especially on concrete), then it became a bit more like the AC noise I'm on about, then I thought its more like something in the driveline
have you checked under the bonnet at the drive belt... it has so many idlers that have chocolate bearings and they can be loud - and recently we discover the belt can come off and get eaten - destroying the engine, by magically being pulled in via the front crank oil seal till it locks things up - apparently is not that unusual on many brands - particularly if the belt is sopping wet with oil leaks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M156_engine
Last edited by BOTUS; Sep 25, 2025 at 06:02 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2012
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well this time I clearly hear a whine type sound... but its very constant. really needs someone with this exact model to compare to the noises they are used to
I was hoping for more of a gentle wafting around with revs rising and falling a bit more...
to start with (early in the video) it seemed so constant I was going to say its your tyres (might be a contributory factor - some patterns really argue especially on concrete), then it became a bit more like the AC noise I'm on about, then I thought its more like something in the driveline
have you checked under the bonnet at the drive belt... it has so many idlers that have chocolate bearings and they can be loud - and recently we discover the belt can come off and get eaten - destroying the engine, by magically being pulled in via the front crank oil seal till it locks things up - apparently is not that unusual on many brands - particularly if the belt is sopping wet with oil leaks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M156_engine
I was hoping for more of a gentle wafting around with revs rising and falling a bit more...
to start with (early in the video) it seemed so constant I was going to say its your tyres (might be a contributory factor - some patterns really argue especially on concrete), then it became a bit more like the AC noise I'm on about, then I thought its more like something in the driveline
have you checked under the bonnet at the drive belt... it has so many idlers that have chocolate bearings and they can be loud - and recently we discover the belt can come off and get eaten - destroying the engine, by magically being pulled in via the front crank oil seal till it locks things up - apparently is not that unusual on many brands - particularly if the belt is sopping wet with oil leaks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M156_engine
The A/C situation is very interesting and I think for the cost of a can of refrigerant it’s worth ruling out.
I also inquired with a member here who was describing the same exact issue with his same model, I’ve attached a screenshot of his response.
Would be amazing if a trans mount resolves the issue, but the only difference in his description was “the sound is NOT replicated in neutral”.
If not the A/C recharge and trans mount, it does sound & seem like it could be the trans oil pump.
Anyway I have an appt with an Indy this weekend, will update with any progress. 🤞
722.9 noise diagnosis
Last edited by Rocco Russo; Sep 25, 2025 at 08:12 AM.
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S500
its not the trans mount - its the centre bearing on the prop shaft its made of chocolate - its rubber mount collapses - it also wears two bushes that are pressed into the ends of the prop shaft
NOTE The prop shaft is the correct name for what Americans ridiculously call a drive shaft
drive shafts are connected to the wheels - and is basically the independent equiv of a half shaft on a beam axel - whereas a prop shaft has only ever connected the gearbox to the diff (on a car)
either way this doesn't produce a whine... it makes the car shake like its got massive road wheel imbalance and often goes away with 20 mins warming up the rubbers donuts
NOTE The prop shaft is the correct name for what Americans ridiculously call a drive shaft
drive shafts are connected to the wheels - and is basically the independent equiv of a half shaft on a beam axel - whereas a prop shaft has only ever connected the gearbox to the diff (on a car)
either way this doesn't produce a whine... it makes the car shake like its got massive road wheel imbalance and often goes away with 20 mins warming up the rubbers donuts
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This is exactly what I was thinking, but his description of the whine in his post sounded very similar to what I’m experiencing. But I thought that was odd also.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
If I'm hearing it correctly:
- the whine definitely sounds like gear noise. It is not some vibration noise from a drive shaft.
- it seems the whine is not present when the car is accelerating, only when coasting
- the whine does not seem gear dependent, only speed dependent - it is not a gear box issue.
All these points to the differential.
Check differential fluid and pinion/ring gear backlash. Could be a pinion shaft bearing issue or simply grease has lost viscosity, which explains why the whine is not present before it warms up and viscosity drops too low..
Now, the thing here is that I assume the whine is present only when car is driven, not present when it is stationary engine running. If it is, ignore this post.
- the whine definitely sounds like gear noise. It is not some vibration noise from a drive shaft.
- it seems the whine is not present when the car is accelerating, only when coasting
- the whine does not seem gear dependent, only speed dependent - it is not a gear box issue.
All these points to the differential.
Check differential fluid and pinion/ring gear backlash. Could be a pinion shaft bearing issue or simply grease has lost viscosity, which explains why the whine is not present before it warms up and viscosity drops too low..
Now, the thing here is that I assume the whine is present only when car is driven, not present when it is stationary engine running. If it is, ignore this post.
Thread Starter
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If I'm hearing it correctly:
- the whine definitely sounds like gear noise. It is not some vibration noise from a drive shaft.
- it seems the whine is not present when the car is accelerating, only when coasting
- the whine does not seem gear dependent, only speed dependent - it is not a gear box issue.
All these points to the differential.
Check differential fluid and pinion/ring gear backlash. Could be a pinion shaft bearing issue or simply grease has lost viscosity, which explains why the whine is not present before it warms up and viscosity drops too low..
Now, the thing here is that I assume the whine is present only when car is driven, not present when it is stationary engine running. If it is, ignore this post.
- the whine definitely sounds like gear noise. It is not some vibration noise from a drive shaft.
- it seems the whine is not present when the car is accelerating, only when coasting
- the whine does not seem gear dependent, only speed dependent - it is not a gear box issue.
All these points to the differential.
Check differential fluid and pinion/ring gear backlash. Could be a pinion shaft bearing issue or simply grease has lost viscosity, which explains why the whine is not present before it warms up and viscosity drops too low..
Now, the thing here is that I assume the whine is present only when car is driven, not present when it is stationary engine running. If it is, ignore this post.
So the whine is engine speed dependent, yes, but not affected by gearing or modes.
Also, it is fully present in neutral as well, this leads me to believe it’s not coming from the trans or diff but I’m no expert.
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S500
ABC fluid needs regular changes - as it all falls apart inside it contaminates the fluid - leave the dirty fluid in there and it speeds things up - I believe complete flush every 2 years 20k miles is recco interval
there's a special tool that actually allows you to flush all the gunk out in 25mins
note the ABC pump was out of production (obsolete) more then 12 months ago in Europe and I think you now buy pattern ones
there's a special tool that actually allows you to flush all the gunk out in 25mins
note the ABC pump was out of production (obsolete) more then 12 months ago in Europe and I think you now buy pattern ones
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Thanks. A local MB specialist that I have an appt with next week seems to think it’s the ABC system. We will see when we get there I suppose.
So the whine is engine speed dependent, yes, but not affected by gearing or modes.
Also, it is fully present in neutral as well, this leads me to believe it’s not coming from the trans or diff but I’m no expert.
So the whine is engine speed dependent, yes, but not affected by gearing or modes.
Also, it is fully present in neutral as well, this leads me to believe it’s not coming from the trans or diff but I’m no expert.
Could be the power steering or the ABC pump. I don’t know what kind of pumps they are, but the whine (if I’m hearing the right thing) sounds like gear noise, so is one of the pumps a gear/pump?
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ABC fluid needs regular changes - as it all falls apart inside it contaminates the fluid - leave the dirty fluid in there and it speeds things up - I believe complete flush every 2 years 20k miles is recco interval
there's a special tool that actually allows you to flush all the gunk out in 25mins
note the ABC pump was out of production (obsolete) more then 12 months ago in Europe and I think you now buy pattern ones
there's a special tool that actually allows you to flush all the gunk out in 25mins
note the ABC pump was out of production (obsolete) more then 12 months ago in Europe and I think you now buy pattern ones
Maybe it’ll resolve the issue 🤞
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
Speaking of ABC pumps, I'm going to replace mine as part of my winter project. I've not done this job before. Can anyone tell me the correct method/tool to remove the pulley? On YouTube, there are loads of videos showing people using a force screw and collar, but the M273 seems to use a different setup with nothing to grip a puller on to.
BTW, in looking through old posts for information about removing the pulley, I see other old threads about the noise that is the subject of this thread. Seems others have had the same problem, and consensus is its the pump/pulsation damper.
BTW, in looking through old posts for information about removing the pulley, I see other old threads about the noise that is the subject of this thread. Seems others have had the same problem, and consensus is its the pump/pulsation damper.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Botus many of us live where speed cameras are not a constant hindrance to enjoying our cars! I pity you Brits; having allowed your government overlords to do that.
OP I hear noises consistent with a noisy A/C compressor. How well does it cool at idle? FWIW what I hear of the noise isn’t alarming.
Love the bent eight noises.
OP I hear noises consistent with a noisy A/C compressor. How well does it cool at idle? FWIW what I hear of the noise isn’t alarming.
Love the bent eight noises.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Speaking of ABC pumps, I'm going to replace mine as part of my winter project. I've not done this job before. Can anyone tell me the correct method/tool to remove the pulley? On YouTube, there are loads of videos showing people using a force screw and collar, but the M273 seems to use a different setup with nothing to grip a puller on to.
BTW, in looking through old posts for information about removing the pulley, I see other old threads about the noise that is the subject of this thread. Seems others have had the same problem, and consensus is its the pump/pulsation damper.
BTW, in looking through old posts for information about removing the pulley, I see other old threads about the noise that is the subject of this thread. Seems others have had the same problem, and consensus is its the pump/pulsation damper.
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
The small pulsation dampener is a very common failure. Is your ABC pump having a problem? If not; it is enough of a chore to do that I don’t suggest replacement just cuz you feel like making a miserable afternoon for yourself. I got to remove mine with the engine out (after it thoughtfully spat a main bearing shell into the chains) which makes getting to a couple of the fasteners not fun; but much less a chore than it looks to be with the engine in the car. My car was bent-12 powered which may or may not make it easier then the V-8.
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From what I’ve seen and read, many seem to have no issues removing the pulsation damper without removing the actual pump, EXCEPT for M156 equipped model's. Apparently on the M156 cylinder heads hit the pulsation damper when attempting to unscrew it.
Anyone have any firsthand experience removing it on an M156 equipped model?
Anyone have any firsthand experience removing it on an M156 equipped model?
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
If anyone with ABC wants a good deal on ABC fluid, Rock Auto has Beck Arnley has FS11 on clearance for less than $10 per bottle. It meets the MB 345.0 spec.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=11395&jsn=170
They also have Beck Arnley blue coolant at 1/2 the normal price.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=11395&jsn=170
They also have Beck Arnley blue coolant at 1/2 the normal price.
Last edited by nath_h; Oct 22, 2025 at 08:21 AM.
