Hi All!

I would be most grateful for any light you could shine on the following:

I bought a used 05 SC a couple of months ago from a main dealer.

When taking it for a test drive I noticed that there was quite a bit of whine form coming from the front of the vehicle. This whine increases and decreases, and is especially noticible at 3k RPM at 75mph or so.

Anyway... I turned off the AC + fan (turning the system off using the rotating button in the middle of the middle dash board) and the noise stopped.

I mentioned it to the dealer, and they re-gassed the AC system.

This improved the noise, but it is still audible, and might be getting worse.

It is not a normal noise as far as I am aware as the 2008 TDV8 my Dad has does not have the same noise.

Does anyone have any ideas about what it could be?

I would be most grateful for any info you may have. The car appears to have been returned for all its service recalls etc.

I have looked at a number of websites but as yet I havent found anything conclusive.


Thanks for all your help!!

Is it a high pitched whirring?

I had that on my BMW 530D sport thinking the bearings were on the way out in the a/c pump.

Turned out it was low gas! Recharged with gas and pag oil and now totally silent!

If you dont use the a/c regularly the seals dry and R134 gas leaks out. I leave mine on all the time to prevent this happening 08 model TDV8 Vogue SE Rimini Red/ parchment. 04 TD6 Vogue Oslo Blue / parchment
99 Model 2.5 DSE Rioja Red / lightstone
03 BMW 530d Sport, 97 BMW M3 Evo Convertible
plus a few more!

It isnt too high pitched - I almost thought it was transmission whine because it comes and goes.
Mind you - the AC was a lot colder after it was regassed; so I'd imagine that this would sit with it leaking AC fluid.

Someone with more engineering experience would have a better idea!

keep an eye on the a/c coldness , if it starts to go then you have a leak and no a/c gas in the system makes that noise.. ..............................




this is handy

Definately sounds like lack of gas to me 08 model TDV8 Vogue SE Rimini Red/ parchment. 04 TD6 Vogue Oslo Blue / parchment
99 Model 2.5 DSE Rioja Red / lightstone
03 BMW 530d Sport, 97 BMW M3 Evo Convertible
plus a few more!

Thank you!

The sound seems to come and go; and to a certain extent seems to depend on engine RPM and is most audible at the lowest fan setting.

Ears peeled!

It will be when the compressor kicks in and out as they dont run constantly.

Obviously the engines reve create reasonance at certain speeds hence the whine. My 5 series diesel did it at approx 2 - 2500 rpm 08 model TDV8 Vogue SE Rimini Red/ parchment. 04 TD6 Vogue Oslo Blue / parchment
99 Model 2.5 DSE Rioja Red / lightstone
03 BMW 530d Sport, 97 BMW M3 Evo Convertible
plus a few more!

Had the same issue - only thing that fixed it was a new A/C compressor. Thankfully done under warranty.

See thread below: -

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic6481.html

That said, I do still hear it purr occasionally, although i think it's more because of the months i spent listening to it before!

Thanks Ally!

Thats a great help and exactly what it sounds like.

Now - just need some good luck in trying to extract it from the dealer under a "Select" warranty.

Wish me luck!

p.s. Is there a dealer you recomend in Scotland? Aberdeen isnt *too* far away from where I am currently based.

Thanks again.

I use Town & County and have had a decent experience so far, but it helps that I know the sales manager and my wife works for Stratstone so I'm sure there's a bit of bias in the treatment I get.

Others haven't had such good experiences though so don't just go on my recommendation!

I've also heard good things about Frank Ogg in Elgin but not sure where you're based - they may be too far?

alanm_3, 47p2, and Mick will probably advise better if you're nearer the central belt.

Good luck!