Hello all. Its been a while!

I've been doing general things, upkeep and minor stuff with my XK8. With all of you'z help (to remind) I was able to discover the dropped valve seat and completely replace a drivers side cylinder head (and a bunch of other things) when I was first given this amazing machine and I arrived here... I am still SUPER grateful for that help. I've been up to my elbows with FT work and FT school and at least two SUPER fun projects (Maybe 3! See pics...) so I have not been back much. Yes,,, bragging a bit and >>>>>> SOMEONE PLS TALK ME *OUT* OF THE Supercharged XKR, LOL... Looks like there IS water/coolant in the oil in that one

Anywho - I have a quick question. Thanks in advance.

When I have her (BLUE 2002 XK8) in drive and I am sitting at a light say,,, near a structure that reflects engine and car noise back at me, an embankment or highway divider, even another automobile, what gets reflected back is this low level, kinda high pitched whine from the transmission. Its not 'loud' loud but I think its gotten louder,,, slowly. I have no ideea what its all about. I am mostly LOST when it comes to transmission. Any ideas?

Transmission generally behaves normally. Actually WELL. She sometimes seems to get a little confused when picking up and shift thru gears approaching HW speeds around 55 to 70 mph, RPM's will drop less than smoothly when upshifting, but other than that she runs beautifully and has since I have had her.

Anyways --- any suggestions? pointers, advice, questions i can clear up --- in figuring out the WHINNY sound? Please just say. As always I am all ears and SUPER appreciative. Glad yall all are out there!!

 

Step 1 is always isolation. Turn off the AC system and see if the whine persists. If it stops, then suspect the AC compressor. If not, then continue.

Next, does the sound very with engine speed? If yes, pop the surpentinee belt off. Did it go away? If yes, then it is an accessory (alternator or PS pump) or idler pulley.

If no, then it is engine or tranny. See if the sound stops in park or neutral. That then starts pointing fingers at the transmission.

 

Hey. Great, man. Thanks.

So, I'm certain it's the transmission and the sound does stop, goes quiet (or lessens significantly) in neutral and park. Varies with engine speed as long as I can hear it (the sound of passing air is loud enough to drown it out, if ya get me?) Getting a little higher pitched untilndrown out... Constant quiet high pitched whiiiiir at idle in gear when not moving. What that all about?

 

Transmissions don't usually 'whir' as they go into failure mode. They rattle, growl, thump, slip and smell, and then empty your wallet.

Take 10 minutes and pull your belt to absolutely confirm that the transmission is the culprit. In my experience, the power steering pump is the most likely player to make a whirring nose.

 

Have you changed the transmission filter and fluid yet? The pump may be working hard and that can cause a whine.

 

I have not. Should and will. I didn't know that the tranny had an actual pump, in it. I guess I assumed (you know what they say about that) that the action of the transmission moved the fluid thru it. Anyways,,,, I will do that.

Is it possible the WRONG fluid will cause a whining noise? Anything like that? I fear asking this question due the number of opinions BUT what is the best right fluid? I'm thinking what you're suggesting is something I'm going to have to do. Will wrong tranny fluid case whine,,, in you all's experience? Wondering.