Jd_gts

Hi,

This is kind of hard to explain, but ever since we purchased the Cayenne, there has been a weird engine noise that can be heard from inside the cabin, but not so much outside. It's like a whirring/humming/high gear sound. The best way I can describe the noise is as though the engine is lugging, like a 4WD car that's stuck in AWD high mode. The RPM's are fine and I truly don't think anything is wrong, per se. Maybe this is just an artifact of how the gearing is setup on this car. I can *feel* the engine slowing the Cayenne down when in gear, as opposed to when it's in neutral and coasting freely.

Does any of this make sense? I appreciate any input and of course, I can post a video of the sound from inside as well.

Thanks all!
JD

95_993

Might be time for a differential oil change

Jd_gts

Will do. Any chance you have the part numbers? It's weird, it makes this noise even when idling. Really not a pleasing sound. I'll grab a video shortly.

Petza914

What year is the Cayenne?

Post up the video when you can.

Jd_gts

2009

95_993

If it's making the sound while idling than it's not the differential. Not sure

ScootCherHienie

2009 what? V-6, S, GTS, Turbo, or other model?

Air suspension or not?

Do you hear the noise with the ignition key rotated to the RUN position so everything on the dash lights up, but do NOT turn the key to the START position (assuming the 09 still required a mechanical key like the 08). If you hear the noise in RUN before cranking the engine to start, it could be fuel pump noise OR air compressor noise OR maybe the electric clutch on the air conditioning compressor is slipping?

Are you sure you haven't been pressing the button that locks the differentials? That mode is only for dirt, gravel or other loose surfaces, not for paved surfaces.

Do not understand the comment about the engine feeling like it is slowing-down the car. It is 100% normal for the engine to slow down the car to some extent when you lift your foot off the gas pedal, the amount of the effect changes with the gear you are in and the speed you are driving. If your car coasted as easily in Drive as it does in Neutral, something would be very wrong with the car.

Does the noise happen when the car is NOT moving or does the car have to be moving to hear the noise? If the car is NOT moving, the noise is not related to the drivetrain unless you have the air suspension option that has a compressor that keeps the air bag system pressurized. If the noise only happens with the car MOVING, it could be a bad wheel bearing, or a caliper that's not fully releasing a brake pad when not using the brakes--it would have to be some moving part of the suspension or drivetrain to cause a noise only with the car moving.

Is the shifter in D or pulled over to the left into the short "up-down" shift gate when you feel the engine "dragging"?

Jd_gts

Okay below is the link to the video. I'm a little concerned ya'll might say this is normal. I guess that's better than something being wrong but yuck. Not a good sound.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tvXLECdGvHAuhGXj7

Petza914

I don't think mine makes that type of whirring sound if that's what you're talking about. Try to turn off the HVAC (eco mode) and see if it still does it. Is the exhaust system stock?

Jd_gts

HVAC off in the video

Yes, exhaust stock. That whirring noise is what I'm referring to. Really sounds weird to me.

Jd_gts

Interesting results when i started searching for "whirring" noise. Thanks for the suggestion Petza!

https://www.google.com/search?q=pors...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Sounds like it could be water pump, based on this clip:

Libast

Definitely an accessory whine.

Jd_gts

Libast, any ideas on exactly what accessory?

Petza914

Remove the serpentine belt and spin and wiggle all the pulleys that it runs around looking for play, vibration, noise, etc and you'll probably find the culprit. Waterpump may be a good guess as the impeller spinning in fluid could make that kind of whirring sound. Check the tensioner too

Jd_gts

Thanks guys! Will do some inspection! Can you definitively confirm this is not "normal" sound, ie, sit in your Cayenne and listen while engine is on?