Transmission noise on cold start

[alex55]

2010, V8, 34,000km
I hear a whining noise from the right side on the front of the car (passenger side) on a cold day engine start or when car was sitting in a garage for couple of days. I can hear better from underneath the car vs. under the hood. It lasts for 10- 15 sec only. The dealer advised that it’s a normal noise from the transmission, and that it takes some time for the fluid to go through all parts, pipes, etc. I’m a little bit skeptical about it since I have never had similar noise on my other cars. Is anybody experienced same noise? I have only 2 month left on my warranty….

 

[Mark_888]

2010, V8, 34,000km
I hear a whining noise from the right side on the front of the car (passenger side) on a cold day engine start or when car was sitting in a garage for couple of days. I can hear better from underneath the car vs. under the hood. It lasts for 10- 15 sec only. The dealer advised that it’s a normal noise from the transmission, and that it takes some time for the fluid to go through all parts, pipes, etc. I’m a little bit skeptical about it since I have never had similar noise on my other cars. Is anybody experienced same noise? I have only 2 month left on my warranty….

I don't recall anyone complaining about transmission noise on the ZF 6-speed (except a few who blew it out due to abuse). There have been a lot more complaints about engine noise during cold start.

What motor oil are you using? I would recommend a 5W-30 synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 or Mobil 1 EP (extended protection). The Hyundai 5W-20 recommendation is in order to meet MPG targets, but a synthetic 5W-30 should get just as good mileage. You could also use Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE (Advanced Fuel Economy).

 

[Gunkk]

Google search for "ZF transmission noise startup" found a few interesting tidbits...

1. This isn't your transmission, but you may be able to find a ZF troubleshooting guide for yours. Something like this one which contains quite a bit of info on diagnosing transmission noise:

https://www.zf.com/na/content/media...ce_portfolio/lcv/Troubleshooting_ZF_S5-47.pdf

2. scroll down to post #19: (startup oil starvation caused damage)

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1393570-Whining-noise

 

[alex55]

I don't recall anyone complaining about transmission noise on the ZF 6-speed (except a few who blew it out due to abuse). There have been a lot more complaints about engine noise during cold start.

What motor oil are you using? I would recommend a 5W-30 synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 or Mobil 1 EP (extended protection). The Hyundai 5W-20 recommendation is in order to meet MPG targets, but a synthetic 5W-30 should get just as good mileage. You could also use Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE (Advanced Fuel Economy).

I'm using Castrol synthetic 5W-20 for some time and never had a problem.
The car was sitting in the garage for about 5 month, I changed oil, filter, and then noise came. So, you maybe right that it's the engine problem. The problem that it's not a continuous noise , just 5 sec at this time and it's difficult to find the trouble point.

 

[alex55]

Google search for "ZF transmission noise startup" found a few interesting tidbits...

1. This isn't your transmission, but you may be able to find a ZF troubleshooting guide for yours. Something like this one which contains quite a bit of info on diagnosing transmission noise:

https://www.zf.com/na/content/media...ce_portfolio/lcv/Troubleshooting_ZF_S5-47.pdf

2. scroll down to post #19: (startup oil starvation caused damage)

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1393570-Whining-noise

Thanks, interesting info.
Somebody advised that this noise can be due a loose connection of the exhaust piping. During cold weather the noise was up to 30 sec, the exhaust pipes are warming up pretty quick; so, metal expands...As I mentioned in the previous post the car was sitting in the garage for about 5 month.
Or power steering pump; however when I rotate a steering wheel on cold engine there is no noise from the pump at all..
Any other ideas?

 

[FastDEW1]

I don't recall anyone complaining about transmission noise on the ZF 6-speed (except a few who blew it out due to abuse). There have been a lot more complaints about engine noise during cold start.

What motor oil are you using? I would recommend a 5W-30 synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 or Mobil 1 EP (extended protection). The Hyundai 5W-20 recommendation is in order to meet MPG targets, but a synthetic 5W-30 should get just as good mileage. You could also use Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE (Advanced Fuel Economy).

Do not go to a heavier oil. This is the wrong thing to do. At startup you want a lighter oil. You need oil that pumps. All of the wear in your engine occurs at startup. Stick with a 5-20 or even 0-20.

 

[Mark_888]

Do not go to a heavier oil. This is the wrong thing to do. At startup you want a lighter oil. You need oil that pumps. All of the wear in your engine occurs at startup. Stick with a 5-20 or even 0-20.

At start up temps, a 5W-30 or 0W-30 should have about the same or lower viscosity as a 5W-20, especially in a synthetic. I am not sure that the problem is an "oil flow" problem, as it may be that the too much of the 5W-20 oil falls to the bottom of the oil pan when the engine is stopped, and a 5W-30 or 0W-30 would stick the engine parts a little better.

Obviously, I don't for sure what the problem is, but some on this forum have reported quieter engine operation when switching from 5W-20 to a 5W-30 synthetic.