My '86 240 DL wagon emits a whistle at about 60 mph. It's a very high pitched whistle apparently coming from the front of the car. Its tone varies with speed and disappears at about 50-55 or so.

Has any else experienced this or have any ideas what this might be?

Thanks

 

Some years ago I had an '84 240 which whistled at about 60mph. It turned out it was the end of one of the drain tubes under the heater vent. It came out of the engine bulkhead (firewall?) and had a rubber flap valve on it to stop rubbish going up. The flap valve was stuck open and air was going in.

I fastened a small polythene bag over the end - after cutting a small hole in the bottom to allow water out - no more whistle.

 

Is it a wistle for certain? Becasue a similar "whine" could suggest wheel bearings.

 

Pretty sure it's a whistle - the bearings have been replaced recently. I'll try the heater vent drain tube and see if that is the problem

Thanks

John

 

Take a look at the windsheild moulding as well as the hole in the bottom of the trans subframe. I have seen the mouldings played just like a reed in any woodwind instrument. They usually do it at a bit higher speeds but they will do it. If you suspect it just tape the sucker off with masking tape and take it for a run. On the hole in the subframe, there was actually a bulletin on this one way back in the day and they issued a rubber body plug to fill that hole and to keep it from whistling.

Mark

 

Where is the hole in the bottom of the trans subframe? I am just learning my way around cars, having always been willing in the past to pay someone else to do my automotive work.

Thanks for the advice.