Whining - (1 - 4) Transmission Fluid Change
10-31-2019, 12:16 PM
#1
Whining - (1 - 4) Transmission Fluid Change
Hello Fellow enthusiasts,
I recently purchased a 2006 Cayenne S. Trying to bring this bad boy back to life after neglect by the previous owner.
In summary, I already:
BUT - before I head into those, I am debating the Transmission fluid and filter. As we know, some say, leave well enough alone and do not mess with the transmission fluid, unless really needed.
Reason I think the transmission fluid and filter need replacing, is the whining when the transmission shifts from 1 through 4, but the whining stops at 5 and 6.
Is this an indication of transmission fluid and flush needed or maybe the front diff fluid? Sound sounds like its coming from the front of the S.
Thank you......
I recently purchased a 2006 Cayenne S. Trying to bring this bad boy back to life after neglect by the previous owner.
In summary, I already:
- Had 2 open recalls addressed (Bushing on the selector lever cable and filter flange for fuel pump)
- Replaced front and rear rotors, pads and sensors
- Full brake fluid flush
- Oil and filter (previous owner took to a quick oil change and they used garbage oil. Sludge found bad when removing valve covers)
- Liquid Moly engine oil flush
- Bank 1 and Bank 2 valve cover gaskets (took 2 years off my life replacing these...lol)
- Replaced multiple bulbs
- Replaced rear wiper arm
- Replaced air filters
- Replaced cabin filter
- Exhaust work ($1K)
- Left tie rod
- Spark Plugs
- Engine torque arm
BUT - before I head into those, I am debating the Transmission fluid and filter. As we know, some say, leave well enough alone and do not mess with the transmission fluid, unless really needed.
Reason I think the transmission fluid and filter need replacing, is the whining when the transmission shifts from 1 through 4, but the whining stops at 5 and 6.
Is this an indication of transmission fluid and flush needed or maybe the front diff fluid? Sound sounds like its coming from the front of the S.
Thank you......
10-31-2019, 03:18 PM
#2
Definitely change the trans fluid. You need to look up the proper technique as it is not straight forward like the pumpkins and transfer case.
Most of the trans issues with these cars are related to harsh shifts and shift flares from old fluid gunking up the solenoids and/or wearing out certain valves in the valve body. The whining issues tend to be front diff or transfer case related.
Most of the trans issues with these cars are related to harsh shifts and shift flares from old fluid gunking up the solenoids and/or wearing out certain valves in the valve body. The whining issues tend to be front diff or transfer case related.
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jgtime (10-31-2019)
10-31-2019, 03:30 PM
#3
Thank you nodoors. This helps....
I will be starting with the front diff and transfer case and then move on to the transmission. I am aware of the fluid temp and level procedure...
I will be starting with the front diff and transfer case and then move on to the transmission. I am aware of the fluid temp and level procedure...
10-31-2019, 05:59 PM
#4
If the car is a rusty pile of garbage underneath 
then beware that metal trans oil pan bolts like to seize in the aluminum trans housing. It's not fun when 5 of them snap off and need to be drilled out. Consider changing the fluid, but leave the pan and filter alone if you have any doubts. Also, do yourself a favor and order a new trans drain bolt - the torx head, like torx heads on rusty piles of garbage do, tends to strip out.
Be super duper careful with transfer case bolts. Look it up, they require special loctite/pipe sealer 2-in-1 (equivalent sold at Addvance...), and very, very little torque. Cracked transfer case housings are even more fun than snapped tranny pan bolts.
then beware that metal trans oil pan bolts like to seize in the aluminum trans housing. It's not fun when 5 of them snap off and need to be drilled out. Consider changing the fluid, but leave the pan and filter alone if you have any doubts. Also, do yourself a favor and order a new trans drain bolt - the torx head, like torx heads on rusty piles of garbage do, tends to strip out.Be super duper careful with transfer case bolts. Look it up, they require special loctite/pipe sealer 2-in-1 (equivalent sold at Addvance...), and very, very little torque. Cracked transfer case housings are even more fun than snapped tranny pan bolts.
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jgtime (10-31-2019)
10-31-2019, 08:17 PM
#6
brett968,
I hear the whining all the time during shifting. The whining goes away when I hit 5th or 6th gear, prob 40 mph+
157K miles
I hear the whining all the time during shifting. The whining goes away when I hit 5th or 6th gear, prob 40 mph+
157K miles
Last edited by jgtime; 10-31-2019 at 08:18 PM. Reason: spelling
11-01-2019, 09:00 AM
#7
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The other way to do the trans is to accurately measure the volume of fluid that comes out and out back in that same amount. This is the procedure I'll be doing, but my trans doesn't make any noise. In yiur case the fluid level may not be right and could contribute to your noises so that may not be the best method for you, but thought I'd mention it anyway as an option.
Also, with any of these make sure you can get the top fill hole plug loose and out before taking out the bottom drain plug.
Also, with any of these make sure you can get the top fill hole plug loose and out before taking out the bottom drain plug.
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Libast (11-04-2019)
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11-01-2019, 08:19 PM
#8
If you are hearing the sound all the time when in those gears then my gut based on the mileage and the prevalence of the problem on these cars is that the noise is coming from the front differential due to a bearing failure. If this is the case, then the front differential will need to be rebuilt or replaced in order to fix the problem. Changing the diff fluid will do absolutely nothing to help the problem if the damage has progressed to this point. Usually when the diff goes bad and starts making noise, the diff noise will be louder when under load and will often disappear entirely when you lift off the gas. I suspect that the noise is still there in 5th and 6th gear but just less noticeable. Try going up a hill in those gears and listen carefully.
157K miles
11-04-2019, 08:48 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
I'm afraid that doesn't really answer my question. If the sound is *only* during the shifts then that is very strange but would point to a transmission issue.
If you are hearing the sound all the time when in those gears then my gut based on the mileage and the prevalence of the problem on these cars is that the noise is coming from the front differential due to a bearing failure. If this is the case, then the front differential will need to be rebuilt or replaced in order to fix the problem. Changing the diff fluid will do absolutely nothing to help the problem if the damage has progressed to this point. Usually when the diff goes bad and starts making noise, the diff noise will be louder when under load and will often disappear entirely when you lift off the gas. I suspect that the noise is still there in 5th and 6th gear but just less noticeable. Try going up a hill in those gears and listen carefully.
Each of my two front diff's lasted 140k miles and that seems to be the going rate--so I'd say you are due unfortunately.
If you are hearing the sound all the time when in those gears then my gut based on the mileage and the prevalence of the problem on these cars is that the noise is coming from the front differential due to a bearing failure. If this is the case, then the front differential will need to be rebuilt or replaced in order to fix the problem. Changing the diff fluid will do absolutely nothing to help the problem if the damage has progressed to this point. Usually when the diff goes bad and starts making noise, the diff noise will be louder when under load and will often disappear entirely when you lift off the gas. I suspect that the noise is still there in 5th and 6th gear but just less noticeable. Try going up a hill in those gears and listen carefully.
Each of my two front diff's lasted 140k miles and that seems to be the going rate--so I'd say you are due unfortunately.
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v10rick (11-04-2019)
11-04-2019, 06:16 PM
#10
Failures like the ones encountered with the front differentials on these cars are typically well represented by distribution models, notably the Weibull distribution. There are a number of factors that determine where a unit falls on this curve. Some of these factors can be influenced by controllable factors but many cannot.
The data are not available to us to construct a precise failure curve. Based on my observations, which admittedly are partly--but certainly not entirely--anecdotal, I would say that 150k miles is likely a good estimate of the nominal lifespan of a front differential on these cars.
The data are not available to us to construct a precise failure curve. Based on my observations, which admittedly are partly--but certainly not entirely--anecdotal, I would say that 150k miles is likely a good estimate of the nominal lifespan of a front differential on these cars.
03-01-2020, 02:35 AM
#11
Track Day
Just had a similar symptom with my 2010 GTS.
This happened after I got it back from the shop after the engine and transmission were out to fix leaks and change the seals.
Turns out the mechanic had missed a screw and a mount on a strut under the transmission. (More knowledgable people will know proper names etc for what I’m talking about). That was causing the engine to move under load and touch Other metal parts. The vibration caused the very unpleasant whining noise under acceleration in 1-4th gear.
Thought that might be useful for anyone with a similar problem, as it was after the fluids were all changed.
This happened after I got it back from the shop after the engine and transmission were out to fix leaks and change the seals.
Turns out the mechanic had missed a screw and a mount on a strut under the transmission. (More knowledgable people will know proper names etc for what I’m talking about). That was causing the engine to move under load and touch Other metal parts. The vibration caused the very unpleasant whining noise under acceleration in 1-4th gear.
Thought that might be useful for anyone with a similar problem, as it was after the fluids were all changed.
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jgtime (03-01-2020)
03-17-2020, 09:21 PM
#12
Finally got around to recording the sound. May need to turn up your volume.
btw, since my original post, I changed rear diff, front diff, transfer case and transmission fluid.
Lost on what this sound can be coming from.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E1V...ew?usp=sharing
btw, since my original post, I changed rear diff, front diff, transfer case and transmission fluid.
Lost on what this sound can be coming from.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E1V...ew?usp=sharing
Last edited by jgtime; 03-17-2020 at 09:48 PM. Reason: upload files