Could this be the alternator? I notice it makes this sound when it's cold out and I am just starting the vehicle cold for about 2-3 minutes. Maybe this also explains my electrical issues...

 

"This video is private"

 

Whoops! Try it again.

 

Anybody have any idea? I've scheduled a service appointment but I'd like to be prepared with as much information as possible!

 

my friend has this same problem. Anyone know the issue?

 

Have you tried turning the heater off? Mine occasionally makes some slight noise almost like a bearing in the blower motor.

Just a thought...

 

I thought that was it initially, since it seemed to do that when the HVAC started to come on when the engine had warmed up enough and get a little worse when the fan got faster and faster (when the engine was still cold). However, this morning when it happened, I went to the climate control screen and turned off the power for the climate control system altogether. The noise continued.

The strange thing is, I can't hardly find any cases of failed alternators in 2007+ XK/Rs. But I can find tons of cases where people replaced their batteries.

 

That sounds like the power steering pump to me...

If it was a tensioner or a bearing it would be more "metallic" sounding.

 

Interesting that you said that because I seem to be having some power steering issues as well.

Out of curiosity, what is the threshold for power steering fluid service? I have about 55k miles now--normally would I have been expected to have flushed the power steering fluid? I'm not sure of the maintenance history and want to get as many issues sorted out as possible before my Select Edition warranty runs out in a couple months.

 

Could also be the bearing on the supercharger pulley. I'd have the belt removed and get things checked. Sooner or later something will get damage.

 

Not sure about power steering service interval...but obviously the dealer techs could diagnose this quickly.

Let us know what it turns out to be.

 

Thanks. Interestingly it didn't make the sound this morning, even though it was just as cold as yesterday morning.

 

The problem persists a year later, but I haven't gotten around to fixing it.

It would appear that it is a bearing in the alternator. I found this thread on a Ford F150 forum (haha!) and it sounds like exactly my symptoms.

Whining sound when it's pretty cold outside? - F150online Forums

Then I found this youtube video that sounds similar to the noise I have, but at a different pitch. In the case of this gentleman, it was the alternator rear bearing.


Any idea if the alternator is something that's hard to replace on the XKR? It apparently runs about $450 just for the part!

 

Oh god, I just looked up the JTIS procedure for replacing the alternator. So many steps! I have to remove an engine mount!!! Sounds like a big chore without a proper garage.