New User question

Hi all - I'm new to this site. Wow! Some cool stuff!

I have a question about my 1998 C280. When I start the car up, I used to hear a noticable whine, like a "turbopump" whine that would last a few seconds then go away. Now when I start up, I don't hear the whine anymore. What is this sound, and now that I don't hear it anymore should I be concerned? I've never had problems with the car before - it has run great. But I was just wondering - anyone know?

Later

Geoff

Anyone? Thanks anyway.

Geoff

[EricSilver]

I hear a similar noise in my 260E on the first startup of the day, or after sitting for a long while. It's more a lower-pitched moan than a whine, comes from the back of the engine/front of the transmission, and sounds like a flywheel spinning up.

[EricSilver]

I hear a similar noise in my 260E on the first startup of the day, or after sitting for a long while. It's more a lower-pitched moan than a whine, comes from the back of the engine/front of the transmission, and sounds like a flywheel spinning up.

I was reading around on this site and I'm thinking its the air pump - which is electric, correct? It's a high-pitched whine, then it shuts downs afer the car has run about a minute or so.

Geoff

[EricSilver]

In follow-up,

I recently changed my oil -- which I discovered was WAY low -- and my warning light did not illuminate. That whirring sound stopped, so I suspect that low oil level caused the pump's spin to be more audible (with not enough oil to dampen the sound).

GuardBott -- did you get an oil change around the time the noise disappeared?

Electric fuel pump??

Not sure if your car has an electric fuel pump?
Joel

[pentoman]

Oil lamps usually illuminate OK.. did you check it when the engine had just been running? If so, chances are much oil was still around the valves etc. - they read lower on the dipstick than when the engine's cold

later

[EricSilver]

Oddly, both my oil and coolant lamps are not lighting up -- except on initial startup. Perhaps the sensors or the electrical contacts are faulty?

[pentoman]

I think the coolant level sensor goes through the same circuit as the windscreen wash-level sensor, so check that too.

later

[EricSilver]

Thanks Russ -- will do!