pw1981
Well-Known Member
I am having a bizarre noise from the front end of my Expedition (2018 Limited, 41k miles, purchased a certified used).
I would describe it as a whirring type noise. It is not loud and, if the radio is up above 6, I can only hear it because I know its there. It does not seem to be there at low speeds. It's almost as if it 'turns on' at 30mph - almost on the mark every time. You cannot hear it with the windows down, it's low enough that the wind noise masks it. It's louder on the driver side than passenger side. It sounds like its coming from the wheel well area or front of the engine, but it is really hard to tell. I have tried to record it, but I can't hear the noise in the recording.
Initially, I thought it was tire noise because I have Uniroyal tires which are kind of prone to be loud. But I have had those since I bought it at 28K and this noise is new.
Then my mind went to bearings/hub. However, the noise does not seem to be speed dependent. Its 'on' or 'off' It comes on at around 30mpg and remains audible until around 65mph at which point its basically drowned out by road/wind noise. It is also not a grinding noise like wheel hubs would normally produce.
Then I was thinking some sort of failing harmonic balancer or pulley noise on the engine, but that should be speed dependent I would think.
If someone told me it was the whirr of an electric motor, I would believe it. But I can't imagine what that might be coming from outside the passenger compartment and only on at speed. If it was an e-fan, it would more likely be on with the vehicle at rest for cooling.
Its one of those noises that is driving me crazy because I hear it. And now that I hear it, it is all I can hear.
My dealership service department options close to home don't have the greatest track record for me, so I figured I would consult the brain trust before I make an appointment.
I would describe it as a whirring type noise. It is not loud and, if the radio is up above 6, I can only hear it because I know its there. It does not seem to be there at low speeds. It's almost as if it 'turns on' at 30mph - almost on the mark every time. You cannot hear it with the windows down, it's low enough that the wind noise masks it. It's louder on the driver side than passenger side. It sounds like its coming from the wheel well area or front of the engine, but it is really hard to tell. I have tried to record it, but I can't hear the noise in the recording.
Initially, I thought it was tire noise because I have Uniroyal tires which are kind of prone to be loud. But I have had those since I bought it at 28K and this noise is new.
Then my mind went to bearings/hub. However, the noise does not seem to be speed dependent. Its 'on' or 'off' It comes on at around 30mpg and remains audible until around 65mph at which point its basically drowned out by road/wind noise. It is also not a grinding noise like wheel hubs would normally produce.
Then I was thinking some sort of failing harmonic balancer or pulley noise on the engine, but that should be speed dependent I would think.
If someone told me it was the whirr of an electric motor, I would believe it. But I can't imagine what that might be coming from outside the passenger compartment and only on at speed. If it was an e-fan, it would more likely be on with the vehicle at rest for cooling.
Its one of those noises that is driving me crazy because I hear it. And now that I hear it, it is all I can hear.
My dealership service department options close to home don't have the greatest track record for me, so I figured I would consult the brain trust before I make an appointment.
