Discussion
I took my DBS into the local AM dealer for its 140 point pre warranty check, and besides from the usual niggles, I reported for attention this very annoying squeal from the front of the engine. This was most noticeable at idle and up to around 1500 rpm. To me this sounds like a classic rubber belt\tensioner issue.
When I rang up to see how my repairs etc were getting on (dealer had car for nearly three weeks) I was told that, amongst other things, they had replaced the auxiliary bel to remedy this squeal issuet. After getting the car back I soon noticed the noise was still there (loud enough that pedestrians would double-take whilst walking by). I reported this back to the dealer who asked me to pop in for them to look at it (so I could be with the car to point out the noise).
On arrival the service manager came out and right away heard it for himself. His words were 'that's not right'. He then called a technician out to the car park who was introduced to me as the technician who had serviced my car. The technician then proceeded to tell me that there was no fault, and that in fact what I was experiencing was oil surge around the engine. According to him this is a known common issue with the V12, one which he has consulted on with the factory on previous occasions.
The service manager clammed up instantly whilst I looked on in disbelief. I was so gobsmaked that I left bewildered.
The questions is obvious - am I being taking for a mug? Is there such an issue?
When I rang up to see how my repairs etc were getting on (dealer had car for nearly three weeks) I was told that, amongst other things, they had replaced the auxiliary bel to remedy this squeal issuet. After getting the car back I soon noticed the noise was still there (loud enough that pedestrians would double-take whilst walking by). I reported this back to the dealer who asked me to pop in for them to look at it (so I could be with the car to point out the noise).
On arrival the service manager came out and right away heard it for himself. His words were 'that's not right'. He then called a technician out to the car park who was introduced to me as the technician who had serviced my car. The technician then proceeded to tell me that there was no fault, and that in fact what I was experiencing was oil surge around the engine. According to him this is a known common issue with the V12, one which he has consulted on with the factory on previous occasions.
The service manager clammed up instantly whilst I looked on in disbelief. I was so gobsmaked that I left bewildered.
The questions is obvious - am I being taking for a mug? Is there such an issue?
My DB9 has this but not all the time. The dealer has looked at it twice now as a potential warranty fix - first time they said blamed the seatbelt pretensioner (!!), second time they heard it and told me it was "normal for a 7 year old car" (you're in a different boat here...). I was annoyed but didn't chase them too heavily over it - fast forward to today and it's still there but only happens about 50-60% of the time when at idle (and just above) - sometimes revving to 2k rpm and allowing it to settle back to idle will cause it to stop/start.
Trinity had a quick 30 second look at it when I was there on an open day and was told it wasn't the belt, more likely to be a squealing pulley (suggested hydraulic pump pulley). Bamford Rose said they'd look at it during my service (in October/November time) with the labour included with the service.
Like you, I am definitely keen to get a resolution.
Trinity had a quick 30 second look at it when I was there on an open day and was told it wasn't the belt, more likely to be a squealing pulley (suggested hydraulic pump pulley). Bamford Rose said they'd look at it during my service (in October/November time) with the labour included with the service.
Like you, I am definitely keen to get a resolution.
Edited by jamesc12 on Thursday 14th June 00:20
Identical symptoms to you. A quick blip of the throttle can usually stop it temporarily, but it's happening more frequently these days.
Got told exactly the same thing from Stratstone Wilmslow. Didn't feel like he was fobbing me off, but have got my car booked in at Bridge Mill this Friday for an in depth investigation. Will report back if they're successful at stopping it.
Got told exactly the same thing from Stratstone Wilmslow. Didn't feel like he was fobbing me off, but have got my car booked in at Bridge Mill this Friday for an in depth investigation. Will report back if they're successful at stopping it.
My '06 DB9 TT2 does this too, but intermittently without rhyme nor reason. Always at idle or just above, often while creeping slowly. I've tried turning off the A/C, putting it in neutral, putting it in gear, all with no real effect. Sometimes does it when the car is cold, other times after it's well warmed up. Very annoying.
I asked my dealer about it and was told that it was the accessory belt, followed by the famous "they all do that sir". I'm 99% positive it's not the belt, but I haven't been able to pinpoint where it's coming from yet. Using a belt lubricant had no effect either.
I asked my dealer about it and was told that it was the accessory belt, followed by the famous "they all do that sir". I'm 99% positive it's not the belt, but I haven't been able to pinpoint where it's coming from yet. Using a belt lubricant had no effect either.
clorenzen said:
It is not the squeak of the carbon fibre drive shaft in Neutral. My DB9 had that. I slight push on the accelerator or engaging a gear takes it away?
Nothing will cause mine to stop except revving past 1.5-2k. Continues regardless of any load on it (in gear, low rev pull away etc).
clorenzen said:
It is not the squeak of the carbon fibre drive shaft in Neutral. My DB9 had that. I slight push on the accelerator or engaging a gear takes it away?
I've been wondering whether it might be related to the prop shaft, but a "slight push" on the accelerator or engaging gear doesn't stop it. It does seem to disappear as the revs climb past 1,500 (certainly gets no worse) but it might just be getting drowned out by engine/wind/road noise.I find it's easiest to hear it in the garage or beside a wall with the window down or the door open. The noise seems to come from somewhere rear of the engine but I can't pinpoint it. Looks like a two person job to track it down.
Thanks for the replies!
I have tried A/C on, off, in gear, out of gear, clutched and de clutched - makes no difference at all. It always disappears at around 1500 rpm though, similar to the replies above. It is not intermittent either, it does it all the time.
Interesting that Nick doesn't have this issue seeing as (from the age quoted and both DBS) our cars are almost identical. I am going to ask the service manager at Broughtons to look at it again me thinks.
If anyone does discover a cause in the meantime then please post up. I will do likewise.
I have tried A/C on, off, in gear, out of gear, clutched and de clutched - makes no difference at all. It always disappears at around 1500 rpm though, similar to the replies above. It is not intermittent either, it does it all the time.
Interesting that Nick doesn't have this issue seeing as (from the age quoted and both DBS) our cars are almost identical. I am going to ask the service manager at Broughtons to look at it again me thinks.
If anyone does discover a cause in the meantime then please post up. I will do likewise.
Just a thought, if it is a potental belt/pulley issue and it happens at low RPM is it not possible to remove belt, run it up to your 1,500 RPM where the problem happens? This way if the noise goes you know where to look, if it stays you know it not the belt/pulley.
I should say I don't know the V12 or if there is anything critial on the assessory drive that need to be working. But if not and you don't drive it and keep a close eye on things like water temp and battery voltage it should be fine I would think.
I should say I don't know the V12 or if there is anything critial on the assessory drive that need to be working. But if not and you don't drive it and keep a close eye on things like water temp and battery voltage it should be fine I would think.
Just to add to this very useful post.
I also had the problem - the issue seems be two faceted.
Firstly – the noise can be caused by oil swirl in older DB9 auto transmissions – a later casting change fixed this, I understand, but if you have an earlier model it maybe worth getting the transmission oil topped up – it may help.
Secondly – The accessory drive is also likely to be to blame – out of alignment, lubrication and older belts seem to be likely suspects and are not (at least in a specialist - too terrible to fix).
I also had the problem - the issue seems be two faceted.
Firstly – the noise can be caused by oil swirl in older DB9 auto transmissions – a later casting change fixed this, I understand, but if you have an earlier model it maybe worth getting the transmission oil topped up – it may help.
Secondly – The accessory drive is also likely to be to blame – out of alignment, lubrication and older belts seem to be likely suspects and are not (at least in a specialist - too terrible to fix).
Hi,
I have just today bought a 2013 Rapide S, it has 8k on the clock but had the squeal mentioned when I took it out for test drive. AM Bristol are sorting before collecting but I have been reliably told it's a belt...
Previously I had a 2011 Rapide and had no such noises - so I don't buy the answer it's expected. It is unacceptable for a manufacturer to expect to live with such a noise in any car, let alone an AM.
Will report back once picked up, and hopefully sorted.
I have just today bought a 2013 Rapide S, it has 8k on the clock but had the squeal mentioned when I took it out for test drive. AM Bristol are sorting before collecting but I have been reliably told it's a belt...
Previously I had a 2011 Rapide and had no such noises - so I don't buy the answer it's expected. It is unacceptable for a manufacturer to expect to live with such a noise in any car, let alone an AM.
Will report back once picked up, and hopefully sorted.
I'd suggest replacing the belt tensioner unit as over time the spring corrodes and gets weaker even though you can move it and does keep the belt tensioned.
The part is only £75 and takes just minutes to replace, i did this myself to my DB9 recently.
There is a belt kit that involves replacing the belt, tensioner unit and the 3 aux pulleys for only £167.27, as your replacing the belt and tensioner i recommend replacing the aux pulleys as I've done.
The part is only £75 and takes just minutes to replace, i did this myself to my DB9 recently.
There is a belt kit that involves replacing the belt, tensioner unit and the 3 aux pulleys for only £167.27, as your replacing the belt and tensioner i recommend replacing the aux pulleys as I've done.
Edited by paulrog1 on Friday 13th December 18:58
While the belt is off just check that the alternator, air con pump, power steering pump and coolant pump pulleys are rotating freely without any issues.
Another problem could be a contaminated belt, for example if the front timing chain cover gasket is leaking oil and if it gets bad it could cause an issue with the auxiliary drive belt.
Of course it also can be a worn belt.
Another problem could be a contaminated belt, for example if the front timing chain cover gasket is leaking oil and if it gets bad it could cause an issue with the auxiliary drive belt.
Of course it also can be a worn belt.
Edited by paulrog1 on Friday 13th December 18:21
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