SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: V8K engine noise upon cold start
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
V8K engine noise upon cold start
Is it normal to hear a whining/growling sound from the V8K engine for a few seconds after starting a cold engine? If I had to guess, it sounds like a lack of lubrication. After about 5 seconds it goes away - at about the same time the idle speed drops. When the engine is warm, this doesn't seem to happen.
This is on a brand new '05 SL55. My '04 SL500 made no such noise.
Is this normal?
This is on a brand new '05 SL55. My '04 SL500 made no such noise.
Is this normal?
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by blueSL
That's probably the compressor that you paid all that extra money for making itself heard...
~ Ian
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
Originally Posted by IanSL55
I have the same thing and have 'heard' that it's normal... As chance would have it, I'm taking it into the dealership tomorrow for my pre-3000 mile checkup... I will ask the tech about it...
~ Ian
~ Ian
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
Originally Posted by AlBoston
that is the air injection pump making noise for the first few seconds of startup.
It sounds like there's someone under the hood trying to cut a wet 2-by-4 using an old circular saw with worn out bearings - after 10 seconds it fades out and goes away.
If I turn the car off, wait a few seconds and start it again - I get none of this noise at all. Strange. You would think the air injection pump would come on every time the engine is started.
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by doltmo
Let me know what you find out. I'm only 260 miles into the first 1000/3000 checkup. If this is something abnormal, I'll take it in earlier.
~ Ian
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally Posted by Chris 45971
The saw analogy is a good one. I get this sound on cold start ups with my 500 as well.
Eventually if it burns out you will smell it.
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From: New Jersey ~ Monmouth County
2005 SL 500
Yeah, the sound is like a mix of between a miniture table saw (you know with the round blade) and a small vaccume cleaner. The sound is muffled and not harsh. It only happens when I start the car on cold mornings. After the car's been going for a few minutes, I don't hear it again. I believe that this sound is the same sound that everyone else is talking about. This is not normal?
Thanks for the heads up Awiner.
Thanks for the heads up Awiner.
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
Chris' description of the noise he is hearing from his '500 is dead-on with what I'm hearing from the '55. I didn't think my '500 did the same, but I've been without it for the past 8 weeks waiting for the new '55 to arrive.
So it looks like the noise is from the air injection pump - and it's not uncommon (they all do that?). At some point I'd like to understand why the air pump makes this noise - like lack of lubrication, about to fail, etc.
Thanks to all who responded.
So it looks like the noise is from the air injection pump - and it's not uncommon (they all do that?). At some point I'd like to understand why the air pump makes this noise - like lack of lubrication, about to fail, etc.
Thanks to all who responded.
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
LMAO... We have now 3 possible noises. I know what all 3 noises sound like and it is hard to explain over a forum which is which.
The "SAW" type noise is definitely the centrifugal air pump however.
The "SAW" type noise is definitely the centrifugal air pump however.
