E63 Transmission Whine (not at startup)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 23
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From: Arlington, VA
2017 MB GLC300 4Matic Sport Package :: 2009 E63 AMG
E63 Transmission Whine (not at startup)
Hey all, quick question regarding our transmissions - are they typically just loud in general? I searched and only found pump noise at start up or mechanical/grinding noises which mine does not do.
I'm coming from the world of economy cars and japanese SUVs - I'm not used to hearing the transmission at all; however, I've noticed the transmission is just loud in my E63 to the point where until the engine really hits 2500-3000k RPM I hear the transmission whine more than the engine or exhaust. In fact, if I'm driving around a parking garage where a lot of the noise is being bounced around, I hear the whine from my transmission as the promenent noise - not my engine or exhaust.
I'm not referring to the pump that turns on for a few seconds after you start the car. This is all the time, seemingly regardless of temperature or how long its been operating. There aren't any rattles or grinding noises and for the most part it shifts smoothly. Every once and awhile I'll get a hard jerk on a downshift but that is fairly rare.
I've got 86K miles and picked up the car almost 2k miles ago back in January. I don't know if its getting worse or if I'm just starting to really notice the quirks of this car. The service records that came with the car state that it had regular and **** maintenance exclusively at a benz dealer and had the 10/year 100k mile service right before I got it. Should I assume its had regular flushes?
I'll be completely transparent - after all the head work I had to get done on this car and after having both front struts fail on me I am potentially just freaking myself out because this car feels like its made of egg shells.
Thanks for any thoughts...
I'm coming from the world of economy cars and japanese SUVs - I'm not used to hearing the transmission at all; however, I've noticed the transmission is just loud in my E63 to the point where until the engine really hits 2500-3000k RPM I hear the transmission whine more than the engine or exhaust. In fact, if I'm driving around a parking garage where a lot of the noise is being bounced around, I hear the whine from my transmission as the promenent noise - not my engine or exhaust.
I'm not referring to the pump that turns on for a few seconds after you start the car. This is all the time, seemingly regardless of temperature or how long its been operating. There aren't any rattles or grinding noises and for the most part it shifts smoothly. Every once and awhile I'll get a hard jerk on a downshift but that is fairly rare.
I've got 86K miles and picked up the car almost 2k miles ago back in January. I don't know if its getting worse or if I'm just starting to really notice the quirks of this car. The service records that came with the car state that it had regular and **** maintenance exclusively at a benz dealer and had the 10/year 100k mile service right before I got it. Should I assume its had regular flushes?
I'll be completely transparent - after all the head work I had to get done on this car and after having both front struts fail on me I am potentially just freaking myself out because this car feels like its made of egg shells.
Thanks for any thoughts...
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15 S550 4Matic, 86 560SL
That does not sound normal at all. An occasional hard downshift ... yeah I’ve had plenty of those... but absolutely no noise from the transmission. Any paperwork on the actual transmission maintenance? It should have been done twice at this time — sometimes it’s on Carfax. You sure it’s not differential whine? (Not that that’s normal either)
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
the 722.9 transmission is completely silent upon operation in comparison to other devices.
confirm your power steering pump isn't the issue. most M156's have had noisy power steering pumps within their lifetime.
confirm your power steering pump isn't the issue. most M156's have had noisy power steering pumps within their lifetime.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Arlington, VA
2017 MB GLC300 4Matic Sport Package :: 2009 E63 AMG
That does not sound normal at all. An occasional hard downshift ... yeah I’ve had plenty of those... but absolutely no noise from the transmission. Any paperwork on the actual transmission maintenance? It should have been done twice at this time — sometimes it’s on Carfax. You sure it’s not differential whine? (Not that that’s normal either)
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From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
84k on mine and I have zero noise from my transmission. The occasional hard shift just seems to be a thing with these transmissions, but not a worry.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Dhahran, KSA
2020 E 300 Coupe and 2019 GLS 400
Thanks...no paperwork on actual transmission maintenance only what services were performed at the dealer which if they were routine I would assume would have covered some amount of transmission maintenance.
I am somewhat familiar with the steering pump whine on other vehicles but it would typically only be when turning the wheel. Would the PS Pump whine with RPM regardless of turning the wheel?
I am somewhat familiar with the steering pump whine on other vehicles but it would typically only be when turning the wheel. Would the PS Pump whine with RPM regardless of turning the wheel?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Arlington, VA
2017 MB GLC300 4Matic Sport Package :: 2009 E63 AMG
Well I’ll be damned.
Not sure why I didn’t try before but reving the motor in neutral and park create the whine also...
Shocked its an accessory (we will assume PS Pump) based on the way it sounds but I’ll take that over a transmission issue any day.
The PS fluid reservoir is full and the fluid is clean but there was a lot of “moisture” around the cap and on the reservoir itself.
Thanks all that responded and pointed me in the right direction. Once I get it over to the shop I’ll keep the thread updated with what they find.
Not sure why I didn’t try before but reving the motor in neutral and park create the whine also...
Shocked its an accessory (we will assume PS Pump) based on the way it sounds but I’ll take that over a transmission issue any day.
The PS fluid reservoir is full and the fluid is clean but there was a lot of “moisture” around the cap and on the reservoir itself.
Thanks all that responded and pointed me in the right direction. Once I get it over to the shop I’ll keep the thread updated with what they find.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Tampa FL
.
I had a steering pump whine all the time, regardless of the wheels direction. Instead of replacing the steering pump, the cause was the fluid reservoir. With age, the filtering screen becomes clogged and causes starvation/cavitation to the pump. AMG revised the part using a better screen design, I replaced the ~30$ part and everything is good as new.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Dhahran, KSA
2020 E 300 Coupe and 2019 GLS 400
Yes, the part # is 0004669502. Looking at several websites, it looks the price is around ~$50
Also, remember to use the correct steering fluid, I don't know if CHF11S is the correct one. I have an issue with WIS now, so I can't tell for sure.
Good luck.
Also, remember to use the correct steering fluid, I don't know if CHF11S is the correct one. I have an issue with WIS now, so I can't tell for sure.
Good luck.
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From: Tampa FL
.
Yes, the part # is 0004669502. Looking at several websites, it looks the price is around ~$50
Also, remember to use the correct steering fluid, I don't know if CHF11S is the correct one. I have an issue with WIS now, so I can't tell for sure.
Good luck.
Also, remember to use the correct steering fluid, I don't know if CHF11S is the correct one. I have an issue with WIS now, so I can't tell for sure.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Arlington, VA
2017 MB GLC300 4Matic Sport Package :: 2009 E63 AMG
Mike
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
As others have mentioned, my trans is silent. It does shift hard, when engaging reverse, or downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear. But it is most likely the PS pump and not the tranny.
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From: North Carolina
2011 E63 AMG, 2007 S550 AMG
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From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
If you never serviced the PS fluid, than do so. It probably has the older red mineral fluid. Advice: also swap out the reservoir as it supposedly also holds a non-serviceable filter.
I used 2 liters of new fluid to flush out the old. The system holds about 1 liter.
Could also be a bad pulley (or pulleys) from anyone of the supercharger/drive belts
[edit]
I just noticed you have a 2011 E63, those probably have a different setup regarding PS (I assume)
I used 2 liters of new fluid to flush out the old. The system holds about 1 liter.
Could also be a bad pulley (or pulleys) from anyone of the supercharger/drive belts
[edit]
I just noticed you have a 2011 E63, those probably have a different setup regarding PS (I assume)
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Every two years, I perform a power steering flush with BG Synthetic on my E63. Some would say that is overkill, but I pride myself on having the best maintained E63 in Northern VA. 
And even with flushes, I still have whine from the power steering pump, and it was replaced several years ago, along with the reservoir.
And even with flushes, I still have whine from the power steering pump, and it was replaced several years ago, along with the reservoir.
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From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
Damn, that is a nice maintenance schedule!
Its a common thing which is overlooked (in general), same thing with differential or gearbox oil. Heck, even with coolant! Speaking of which, I also need to refresh it on my CLS. Interval is set for 14 or 15 years if I am not mistaken
Its a common thing which is overlooked (in general), same thing with differential or gearbox oil. Heck, even with coolant! Speaking of which, I also need to refresh it on my CLS. Interval is set for 14 or 15 years if I am not mistaken
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
I have a strict preventative maintenance schedule that I adhere to for both my vehicles:
Every Six months - Oil change and add Liqui Moly Cera Tec
Every year - Air filter, Cabin filter, Windshield Wipers
Every Two years - Power Steering flush, Brake fluid flush
Every Four years - Engine coolant flush, Transmission flush, Differential Gear Oil, Serpentine belts, Spark plugs
And everything is duplicated on the X5M, but we also add the Transmission, Transfer Case Fluid, Front and Rear Differentials every four years.
Every Six months - Oil change and add Liqui Moly Cera Tec
Every year - Air filter, Cabin filter, Windshield Wipers
Every Two years - Power Steering flush, Brake fluid flush
Every Four years - Engine coolant flush, Transmission flush, Differential Gear Oil, Serpentine belts, Spark plugs
And everything is duplicated on the X5M, but we also add the Transmission, Transfer Case Fluid, Front and Rear Differentials every four years.
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
I don't care what Mercedes says, there is no manufactured lubricates on this earth that lasts for 14-15 years. Transmission fluid, transfer case and differential fluid should be changed out every 4 years IMHO.
I'm under the philosophy that changing fluids on a regular interval helps mitigate issues, before they arise.
I'm under the philosophy that changing fluids on a regular interval helps mitigate issues, before they arise.
Last edited by Yuille36; Oct 10, 2022 at 11:21 AM.
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From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
I don't care what Mercedes says, there is no manufactured lubricates on this earth that lasts for 14-15 years. Transmission fluid, transfer case and differential fluid should be changed out every 4 years IMHO.
I'm under the philosophy that changing fluids on a regular interval helps mitigate issues, before they arise.
I'm under the philosophy that changing fluids on a regular interval helps mitigate issues, before they arise.
https://www.motul.com/en/en/products/mocool
