I took a friend out looking for an X and we found this great car at a very reputable dealer in the area. Everything checked out perfectly except there is a whine coming from the engine compartment after long trips. The car makes this sound when it is parked, neutral and/or moving at low speeds. To me it sounds like a power steering whine, but the jaguar techs do not hear it.

I have seen many posts about this but they arenot followed up with an answer or they pertain to the transfer case/prop shaft bearing or some pass it as being a normal hum from the transfer case.

I hear this sound even when parked.

 

It could be the P/S pump..Could be an Idler pulley too...Could be the Alternator bearings..

it's hard to say of course without hearing it first hand

 

Thanks Dennis, I went to look at it again tonight. One thing I forgot to mention is it only can be heard while accellerating. If the car is at idle you don't hear it. Any idea?

 

I think I know what you are saying....I wish I could hear it..But it still could be any one of those options I mention above..They would have that kind of symptom and whiney sound..So at least we know it's almost assuredly something on the engine, since it's relative to RPM....I know, .."No kidding?"

 

I think Dennis is on the right path. Sounds like a bearing pulley, especially since you hear in on acceleration. Do you have a stythoscope that you could place on each pulley? Just don't get caught up in the drive belt. We would hate to lose a forum member.

 

I think my friend is going to buy the extended warranty for close to $2000 so it should give some kind of protection. Either way we will see what happens when they go to pick it up this evening...

 

Just an update, seems to be fine when cold and everything was fine for quite a while but it eventually came back.

Also one other thing I noticed, the passenger side front seems to be about 2 inches lower than the drivers side. Could that be a strut or spring or both. The car has a little more bounce on the drivers side and the passenger side is pretty stiff.

 

Sounds like it has a bad strut..

And it also looks like the whine noise is pointing more towards a bad P/S pump..have you checked the fluid level yet in the reservoir?

 

Yeah the power steering fluid is fine (all of the fluids for that matter - except tc - can't check that lol) but the sound seems to be coming from the alternator. The output is right on so it is working.Not sure what they are going to do now - especially with the possibility of a bad strut. They are going to look into it a little deeper. The warranty make the car a littleexpensive for them.They can use after market struts right?In this case is a strut just a strut or is there something special about the jaguar strut?Hopefully the dealer replaces the strut but in the event they don't just like to know whattheir options are. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

 

If it were me..If I could get the car to an independent service place so they could evaluate all these problems..it may save them hundreds in the long run and a lot of headaches...

But If I was to replace a bad strut, I would replace both for an even wear..cuz, if one is bad the other may not be far behind..Kenbritishautoparts heremay be able to help you with costs and availability of aftermarket struts..

Good luck