E280 cdi aventgarde '07 gearbox issue (whining) please help

[Fuller0554]

New here so I hope I'm doing this correctly.
Bought the above car little over a month ago which has a whining noise which I'm pretty sure is coming from the gearbox, more precisely the torque converter.
After starting the car and waiting a few moments a whining noise appears which sounds like what I can only describe as a hydraulic motor on a press when it is applying pressure (but not as loud). It picks up with the revs of the car weather in gear or not and is present in park, reverse, neutral and drive. Theres been a few times that it will stop whining once I've selected gears back and to a few times and letting it engage in D through to R then once the noise has gone it won't come back until the car has been switched off and back on again. Its plenty noticeable and whines at a slightly higher pitch when the revs pick up either in neutral or driving. It does go away after a few miles of driving. The car has just had a new conductor plate and gearbox oil and filter change but the noise was still there after this was done.
Lot of info there but I hope some one can help me out here.
Thanks for you time

 

[Fuller0554]

Any ideas any one. I will try to upload some audio tomorrow if possible

 

[00slk]

Any ideas any one. I will try to upload some audio tomorrow if possible

Not really however we have a similar whine from the SLK at lower revs. Sometimes I think it is coming from the audio system, it's hard to pin point exactly where it is coming from.
Years ago my Mums car had a very loud whine which was the torque converter. This was replace and the noise disappeared.
I have heard of the trans whining when they wear out certain internal parts.
If you have a long hollow tubing this can help trace where the noise can be coming from if you place the end of the tube onto certain oarts of the engine/trans with someone operating the throttle and your ear on the other end of the tube. Thin conduit is quite good to use.
Might worth a try

 

[Fuller0554]

Yeh Ive tried useing a mechanic stethoscope to identify it but its knowing what you are hearing is the right noise or not. It's very hard to tell where its coming from when you lift the bonnet but very noticeable from inside the car. Most of the time I've had a listen round different components to try and eliminate them and when I go back inside the car it's stopped which makes it more frustrating.

 

[Fuller0554]

SOLVED!!! Quick update. Got in the car thismornin and as it was realy quiet desided to turn the fan off completely inside the car even tho you think you can't normally hear it, turns out it is the fan behind the center console making this whining noise. Not sure why it sounds like a tired bearing when revving the car or driving along. As I stated before it does go away but I'm relieved it's not my gearbox. Hopefully not a difficult thing to fix

 

[Snake Charmer]

My 2004 E320 CDI heater fan sometimes makes a noise like the Predator on a low speed in traffic! I can see the fan with the pollen filter removed but as it is still working and only noisy occasionally I have not investigated removal as yet.

 

[V6Matty]

My 2004 E320 CDI heater fan sometimes makes a noise like the Predator on a low speed in traffic! I can see the fan with the pollen filter removed but as it is still working and only noisy occasionally I have not investigated removal as yet.

That “predator” sound you mention is the mixing flaps trying to move about, they’ll be getting stuck and will eventually seize/break, I’ve got the same in the rear drivers side vent on my 212, only problem with mine is I’d have to remove the drivers seat and a boat load of trim to do anything about it, so just haven’t bothered

 

[Snake Charmer]

That “predator” sound you mention is the mixing flaps trying to move about, they’ll be getting stuck and will eventually seize/break, I’ve got the same in the rear drivers side vent on my 212, only problem with mine is I’d have to remove the drivers seat and a boat load of trim to do anything about it, so just haven’t bothered

Thanks, I will pay more attention next time I hear it. I have not heard the noise for a while, I seem to remember altering the fan up & down a notch either side of where it was set and the noise disappeared until returned to where originally set.

 

[Noddy 99]

Easy enough to replace but DO get ready to spend a lot of time upside-down in the footwell with your back arched over the sill...

 

[Blobcat]

Easy enough to replace but DO get ready to spend a lot of time upside-down in the footwell with your back arched over the sill...

I remember spending a great deal of my formative years working on my cars in that exact position…. Quite how so much is up under the dash on the passenger side I’ve no idea, but it is