I have a 2008 LE V6 that has developed a "whirring" noise that is coming from the transmission. It's the most audible when you reach about 40 and is the loudest between 40km/h and 80km/h while accelerating or decelerating. It quiets down while cruising at these speeds but is still there. . Over 80 it is still there but blends in with road/wind noise. If I put the car into neutral the noise goes away. When the car was on the hoist we ran it up to 40km/h the noise was obviously coming from the trans. My issue now is that no one wants to touch it and a used transmission + install is as much as the car is worth! Thanks!

 

There is a sticker on the drivers side door having specs on the car. Somewhere on the sticker is the transmission model such as A241E, U241E. Find out what trans model.

Does the whine noise change with the gear the trans is in?

Is the whine constant as in when accelerating, constant speed and coasting?

The trans housing also includes the differential which can make its own type of noises.

 

The transmission model is U660E

The whine is in all gears and it is always there. It is loudest between 40 and 80 but I would imagine that above 80 wind and tire noise drowns it out a bit

It's louder when accelerating than it is once you reach speed. When you coast in gear it does get louder again, funny thing about this is that when coasting in gear if you blip the throttle even just a tiny bit it quiets down a considerable amount.

It is loudest in general between 40 and 80 but I would imagine that above 80 wind and tire noise drowns it out.

 

Did the shop check the trans fluid level? Do any work such as checking the trans fluid filter for clogging? Try to pin point the area of the whine such as bell housing, front of trans case, differential area?

Does the trans shift normally hot and cold? As in other then the whine you would not know there was a problem? No shift lag, shutter, clunk, etc?

Any whine in reverse or when not in gear such as park or neutral? If a whine in park or neutral rev engine determine if the whine increases/decreases with RPM.

When coasting and the whine occurs, move the trans to neutral and see what this does for the noise. This is safe to do just be careful about it.

The idea is to try to narrow down the problem.

Giving the noise quiets with throttle blip guessing it might be the output gearing or differential. The blip momentary taking the load of the gears. However the gears are not moving when the car is stopped so there would be no noise when the car is stationary.

A failing trans oil pump can whine or if the pump intake is clogged or low fluid. Here it would be constant and vary with RPM.

The torque converter bearing can whine but given the trans design is not that easy to diagnose.

 

Did the shop check the trans fluid level? -Fluid level was fine

Do any work such as checking the trans fluid filter for clogging? Try to pin point the area of the whine such as bell housing, front of trans case, differential area? I'm taking it to a trans shop on Tuesday to see if they can pinpoint where it is actually coming from.

Does the trans shift normally hot and cold? As in other then the whine you would not know there was a problem? No shift lag, shutter, clunk, etc? The transmission still shifts beautifully hot or cold. If you have the radio up you would never know there was an issue

Any whine in reverse or when not in gear such as park or neutral? If a whine in park or neutral rev engine determine if the whine increases/decreases with RPM. No noticable whine in reverse and nothing when you rev

When coasting and the whine occurs, move the trans to neutral and see what this does for the noise. This is safe to do just be careful about it. The whine goes away when you drop it into neutral when coasting

 

The last question is if the whine is getting louder as more miles are put on the car?.

Guessing?? it may be an output gear, differential or bearing. The whine going away when the load of the problem part is reduced.

Trans shops tend to state to overhaul or replace for most issues as that's what they do. Not sure the differential can be access without taking the complete trans apart.

Could drop the trans pan and see if there is any metal debris from a problem part. The pan has magnets to retain any steel debris. A lot of debris means a more urgent problem.

If the worst case happens as in $$ trans replacement might drive the car until the trans breaks. Sometimes a trans can run for a LONG time with a problem, the noise just getting louder with time.

Post back on what the shop states and any quoted repair costs and cost to rebuild trans versus buying a third party rebuilt.

One issue is used and new car prices can currently be VERY high due to demand and lack of inventory. The issue becomes replacement car costs versus fixing the current car.