The whine on my 01 S-type got worse. 1st take was it could be the VVT, and since they were doing something there already (mechs), I asked them to replace it. That did not do the job. Now that it is getting worse and I have to have the radio on, so I do not hear it as much, the diag is rear pinion gear. I do not mind replacing it, except I am quoted 2.3k. The reason being it is labour-intensive and will take 3-4 days. So, it's mostly labour costs. Is this reasonable, or should I look for a different mech? Thanks for any ideas.

 

That’s a lot of money. Buying a good used dif and replacing it would be much cheaper.
I’m sure it could be done in a day.

 

Wait a minute… You thought it was VVT? That would indicate the whine was related to engine speed.
More info needed:
Does the whine directly correlate to engine revs?
Or does it directly correlate to road speed?

If it’s engine speed, suspect alternator bearings.
If it’s road speed, perhaps suspect dif.

Finding out which one is very important and could save you thousands.

 

Also, does the noise change during acceleration and deceleration?

Does the noise change whilst going around a bend in one direction or the other?

How did the shop diagnose the ring and pinion being the source of the noise?

 

Thanks, buddy. It is speed-related, not the engine. The original VVT was when it was faint and hard to diagnose. I had a mech listen to the engine with a stethoscope, and it was not in the engine. You mentioned replacing the rear diff as an option. I will look into this. @Peter_from_Australia , can you advise? Thanks

 

It might be worth a try just to drain and refill with a quality lube to the correct level in the differential. At the same time look for leaking seals on it, My older 96 XJ6 had weeping seals that dried up after I changed the oil.

 

thanks for this, this could be the 1st step

 

thanks for this. there is no sound change turning. My jag specialist after stethoscoping the engine thought it could be the diff. We then went to the local diff specialist and it took him 10 secs to recognise the noise.