Aviator road noise

[DonL]

Just took my new aviator on a 800 mi road trip. Rides great but it develops a loud whine between 40 and 60 mph; disappears by 70 mph. Not tires. Noticeable on acceleration and cruising in those speeds.

Suggestions? Also noted a sporadic odor that smelled like hot soapy water.

DonL

[pro-five-oh]

Welcome to the boards, always nice to have another Aviator owner here! smile.gif

The whine sounds like the driveline, possibly the rear axle or the 4WD transfer case (if equipped).

A hot soapy water smell! Did it happen with the climate control on? Maybe the guy at the dealer poured car wash soap down the cool air intake vents under the wipers. Pour a couple gallons of water down there (the hood) and see if it helps.

[Aviator]

Sure sounds like the ring and pinion gears didn't get broken in correctly. You should vary your speed during the first 1000 miles or so. That way the ring and pinion gears don't develop a wear pattern that will create a whine at certain speeds.

I thought I might have the same thing but my wife said the buzzing sound she was hearing came from the rear speaker area. I turned the radio off and the noise still came and went. I'm afraid I have a short to a speaker wire for some eletrical function that goes on and off, like an A/C compressor clutch???

[DonL]

Thanks Guys;
The climate control was on. I will try flushing it as you suggested.

As for the driveline, (no 4WD) it does get particularly bad at 50mph. Your suggestion to vary driving speeds. Can you give me more info? Do I have a dealer recourse here?

Don

[pro-five-oh]

As Aviator said, proper break-in prodecure includes varying speeds on the highway. Yet most people don't do that, and the problem is never there. Hell, car salesmen usually make it a selling point that "break-ins" aren't necessary on new cars. I've heard that so many times!!!

You have recourse. You have a full warranty. This shouldn't have happened no matter what you did anyway. Take it back and don't say a thing, except that you want it fixed. smile.gif

[DonL]

Thanks for the advice. I will let you know the outcome.
Don

[thafoot]

don L,

let me know about the flushing. i've noticed that smell with the climate control on too.

i'm gonna flush this weekend too, see if it helps.

[Aviator]

pro-five-oh is right on. Just say it has a noise and that you do normal driving, if they ask.

:cool:

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by thafoot:
let me know about the flushing. i've noticed that smell with the climate control on too.

I think someone at Ford's Texas district office is either an Ivory soap dealer or has a very strange sense of humor.

:eek:

[Avi8]

It is most likely the rear diff. I use to work in the 150 plant, there was diffintely issues with axle whine. Take it into the dealer and have them put the NVH equipment on it...

[Anon]

NVH??

[pro-five-oh]

Anon,

Noise, Vibration, Harshness...

[Anon]

thanks P5O

[pro-five-oh]

You betcha! ;)