WOW this is really annoying!! Everybody turns to look when I start this car
 

Hey,

First I want to say thanks for the help. You guys are amazing. This is my second Benz and the reason I bought another Benz is because of all the great help that I have received from this Forum.

Ok, on with the fun!!

I just picked up this 2008 E300 (Canada) and it runs very nicely but when I start it there is a crazy whining noise that turns heads. It only makes this noise when it is a cold start.

The A/C compressor is not running because I was out of A/C gas so it automatically shut off and I haven't filled it up yet and reset it.

The noise has been getting worse now that the weather is getting colder.

I would like to fix it myself before it gets too cold but if I bring it to a garage to asses the problem I need to leave it overnight so that they can cold start it.

Any suggestions would be AMAZING!!!

Thanks again all you Benz experts.

Here is a video of the noise https://youtu.be/mMKnOJvUy-o

Could it be a squeaky belt? Belt dressing.

WOW this is really annoying!! Everybody turns to look when I start this car
 

Aux air pump?


https://youtu.be/zO8BvhF09aU

WOW bull **** chilck bait titles are really annoying!

Wat

Thanks so much! I tested it just like in the video you sent me and that is exactly where the noise is coming from. Do I need to have this hooked up to the car or can I take it off and run the car anyway? I want to remove it so that I can fix it then put it back but I still need to drive the car

@tjts1, sorry for the headline. It is really annoying when I start the car. what would you have put as a headline?

I wouldnt turn it on with that disconnected. Its an emissions device and would most likely throw an annoying code. It appears to be a simple DC motor that needs to be blown out. The fan turbines act like a speaker cone and amplify the screeching of the carbon covered commutator.

More like needs the hideously dried out and ruined ball bearings replaced. That's not commutator noise.

Possible. I have heard plenty of commutators screech as shown though.

Maybe when completely ruined. This is ball bearing noise. Common issue on lots of high speed motors. When the grease dries out, they get that horrible scream to them. The giveaway is the rough groan on spindown.

Hey,

There are two bearings in the motor, one was very hard to turn. I need to try and find new ones (any ideas). I am not 100% sure how to remove the whole motor from the case in order to replace the second bearing either.

It was also full of carbon, but I don't have an air compressor so I can't blow it out as I was trying to get the cover off black carbon was coming out.

I put the unit back together and installed in back on the car. I'll try to find a bearing for it...maybe from a skateboard?

Thanks again for your help.

A local bearing distributors should be able to match that bearing up easily.

Most bearings are standardized. You might get lucky and find some numbers on the edge, or you can measure the innner and outer diameter and width and look it up on a bearing chart. I do this at work sometimes.