It's warbling...or fluttering

[Raza]

I was with my brother yesterday driving my old car, and I noticed a warbling, fluttering noise as we were driving along.  What do you guys think it could be?  I figure it's something in the engine, maybe due to prolonged time between oil changes.  I obviouslt don't know too much about engines.  My solution would be to get the oil changed and see if it goes away.  It's out of warranty, so taking it in for diagnostics would be very expensive.

[Tom]

I really doubt it's due to old oil unless the oil is way past a change.

[Champ]

Kind of vague discription, did it change with MPH or RPM?  Constant?  Might be the valves if you say fluttering, they can make that noise.

[Raza]

Kind of vague discription, did it change with MPH or RPM?  Constant?  Might be the valves if you say fluttering, they can make that noise.

It seemed to go away at idle, but when on the move it was evident.  At full throttle I couldn't hear it, but I don't know if that was because it was being drowned out or because it went away.

[S204STi]

What vehicle make and model are we talking about?

[Raza]

What vehicle make and model are we talking about?

2002 E320 with 70K+ miles.

[S204STi]

Any roof racks?  Recent body work?  New wiper blades?  Windows all up?  Any maintenance performed lately?  If no to last question, change your oil if it's overdue.

[S204STi]

BTW the car in your sig is giving me a hard-on man...

[Raza]

BTW the car in your sig is giving me a hard-on man...

Thanks.  That picture alone is making me consider red.  

[Raza]

Any roof racks?  Recent body work?  New wiper blades?  Windows all up?  Any maintenance performed lately?  If no to last question, change your oil if it's overdue.

Wiper blade a few months ago, but I would have noticed if they were moving.  He claims the last oil change was 2000 miles ago.

[S204STi]

Just an idea with the blades.  I stuck some bosch blades on the wife's forcus and she complained about a whistling noise, and sure enough it was the new wipers.  They stick out away from the windshield more than the anco crap she had before, catching the air stream and creating a whistle.  

2000 is good for oil, and a flutter is not a common engine noise that I can think of.

If it is any consolation my wife's car has a bit of a whine that is hard to trace as well, but since mileage is low I am not concerned.

[Raza]

Just an idea with the blades.  I stuck some bosch blades on the wife's forcus and she complained about a whistling noise, and sure enough it was the new wipers.  They stick out away from the windshield more than the anco crap she had before, catching the air stream and creating a whistle. 

2000 is good for oil, and a flutter is not a common engine noise that I can think of.

If it is any consolation my wife's car has a bit of a whine that is hard to trace as well, but since mileage is low I am not concerned.

The blades came on some months ago, this is a new development.  You think they could have just recently acquired this affliction?

EDIT:  Another thing...there's only one blade, and it's a Mercedes part.  I got it right from the dealership.

[MX793]

Maybe something with the climate control system?  Fan warbling, water burbling due to a plugged drain somewhere, etc....

[Raza]

Maybe something with the climate control system?  Fan warbling, water burbling due to a plugged drain somewhere, etc....

I turned everything off when I was listening for it.  Fan, radio, everything.

[S204STi]

Just an idea with the blades.  I stuck some bosch blades on the wife's forcus and she complained about a whistling noise, and sure enough it was the new wipers.  They stick out away from the windshield more than the anco crap she had before, catching the air stream and creating a whistle. 

2000 is good for oil, and a flutter is not a common engine noise that I can think of.

If it is any consolation my wife's car has a bit of a whine that is hard to trace as well, but since mileage is low I am not concerned.

The blades came on some months ago, this is a new development.  You think they could have just recently acquired this affliction?

EDIT:  Another thing...there's only one blade, and it's a Mercedes part.  I got it right from the dealership.

Oh I would imagine it would have made that noise from the get-go, so I doubt it at this point.

[Tom]

Does the car vibrate at the same time as this flutter occurs?  Does it occur always or only when braking?  

[Raza]

Does the car vibrate at the same time as this flutter occurs?  Does it occur always or only when braking?

I didn't feel any vibration, nor was it any more or less evident while braking as I recall; it was mostly while cruising or accelerating at anything other than full throttle.

[Tom]

Does the car vibrate at the same time as this flutter occurs?  Does it occur always or only when braking?

I didn't feel any vibration, nor was it any more or less evident while braking as I recall; it was mostly while cruising or accelerating at anything other than full throttle.

Then I'm even more confused, sorry.

[Raza]

I think I'm going to have the oil changed this weekend and see if it goes away.  If not, this is another good reason to dump the E320 at the end of the lease or earlier (November).

[Pancor]

Tires or exhaust leak?

[Raza]

Tires or exhaust leak?

It could be exhaust.  I'll check the tires next time I get a chance.

[S204STi]

Tires or exhaust leak?

Good point; tires can account for a plethora of noises.

[Raza]

Tires or exhaust leak?

Good point; tires can account for a plethora of noises.

But a fluttering/warbling noise?  

It's worth a look.

[MX793]

Tire noises will usually change with the road surface.

[S204STi]

Tire noises will usually change with the road surface.

True.

[280Z Turbo]

Dust shield on brake rotor rubbing perhaps?

[Raza]

Whatever was the problem seemed to have gone away.  I couldn't hear anything this weekend.

[S204STi]

Whatever was the problem seemed to have gone away.  I couldn't hear anything this weekend.

I love it when a problem resolves itself. B)  

[Raza]

Good thing too, since it seems we're buying the car for good.

[SargeMonkey]

If it comes back check the skid plates under the car, the black plastic panels. I think they call 'em rock gaurds on cars.