I just got home from NY and my wife's car (82 TD) has a whine that goes up and down with RPM. Sounds like power steering, but the fluid level is fine, and there are no steering issues. Oil level is fine, tranny fluid level is fine, and no tranny issues. Engine power levels are normal, and otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Ideas?

When was the last time the power steering filter was changed?

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

water pump?

just a guess

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Get out the old washing machine hose.........one end in your ear........one end seeking out the culprit on the running engine.

The BMW had a bad forward alternator bearing.........same type of whine........we found it.

You may want to be careful around the fan with this
method........and be sure your "lovely assistant" doesn't
blow the horn

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I just got finished changing front wheel bearings on our '85 300D so now I can hear other whines The bearing noise was there when car was put in neutral so easier to diagnose.

I have one whine that sounds similar to yours. It is not always there. It seems to be dependent on load or something. Doesn't do this at idle, so need to have a long washing machine hose to detect it while driving

Sounds like it might be from passenger side, so could be alternator or maybe turbo or maybe just the wastegate??

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I had a whine on my car too, also turned out to be the alternator, thankfully it happened right before I upgraded to my 80A saab alternator....so it wasn't a big issue.

Other than the alternator the power steering pump would be the next thing I'd check. Good clean fluid and a new filter will keep it going properly.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Doesn't whine at idle, and at load it's a bit louder. I have a 115 amp alt, so I'll put that on my wagon and my wagon's alt will go on her car. That's right after a full steering fluid change. Won't happen till next week as I fly to NY and drive back this week. The I'll give the report. Thanks all.

check the intake u-tube seals?

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Is your whine more pronounced cold or hot? Do you see any signs of the ps fluid being airated?? "frothy foamy look" to it?

I have a 190E with a whine which is the pump in the transmission. The hose trick is good for finding this as would be a LOOOOOOOONG screwdriver or wooden dowel. Just place it on the bell housing and see if it's louder there, or under car. You can also check the alternator too, but usually when mine has been ready to give out. .its a high pitched squeal from the brushes being almost worn completely down to nothing.

Horn isn't a euphemism now it it??

You can always remove one belt at a time and try and isolate the problem that way.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I replaced the u-tube and both seals yesterday, (as well as a new air can bracket and mounts), and have a squeal/high pitched rattle.

I want to fix today, what exactly am I looking for?

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

I'm a bit slow. Some of you may remember that my wife's car blew out the high pressure SLS hose. I replaced it, but it left SLS fluid all over the engine area. I used the engine cleaner (Gunk) to clean it up- and during this clean up I sprayed the engine and forgot about the alternator. I had sprayed it with water and "cleaned" the alt. Right after the whine started but I forgot because I went back to NY. I heard the small left over whine when I came back and asked her about it and she said it just started- which was not true... so I was hunting down the whine. My indie reminded me of this and like a Emeril "BAM!" it hit me that I caused the whine with my Gunk/degreaser/water wash. Moral of the story: don't wash your alternator with "Gunk" then spray it with water.