Hi all,

Happy New Year to you!

Just wondering if anybody might be able to help identify a strange noise that I have started hearing over the past few weeks...

It is an intermittent (2/3 secs on, 4/5 secs off) groaning sound that lasts for about 30 secs and normally occurs within the first 1 or 2 minutes or so after the engine has been started, it comes from the front passenger side of the engine bay, right by the side vent. It goes away permanently (until the engine has been switched off and re-started) within 3 or 4 minutes of starting. It happens whether the car is stationary or driving, so doesn't sound like it is braking or drivetrain related. Whilst I can't swear to it, I think it mainly happens when starting the car from cold (it certainly happens every time the car is started from cold, perhaps not every time when warm - i.e. after stopping for fuel or something).

Whilst annoying, it is not totally un-livable with, but I would like to identify it in case it is a precursor to another problem (and to try and stop it happening)!

Searching through the forum, I have found posts suggesting that the FBH can make similar noises to this, however I am not convinced as:

1) I have not used the FBH since acquiring the car and as far as I am concerned it is switched off and
2) I thought that the FBH only works when the engine is switched off - this noise only occurs shortly after starting.

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Many thanks in advance!  -----------------------------------------------
2016MY FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Loire Blue
2007MY FFRR 3.6 TDV8 Vogue SE Tonga Green

Interesting, as I have exactly the same symptoms

But as I understand it, the FBH does come on automatically below a certain temp as soon as the engine is started, to help it reach operating temperature quicker - and doesn't need to be turned on manually.

So, perhaps the problem could be FBH related..

Hmmmm... interesting....

Do we know if that is a normal sound for the FBH or if it is a sign that it isn't working properly? -----------------------------------------------
2016MY FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Loire Blue
2007MY FFRR 3.6 TDV8 Vogue SE Tonga Green

I'm guessing it should be virtually silent ..

Do you have the heater blower on at the time? I turned mine off last time and it made the noise disappear, it may be just coincidence.

It will kind of groan on initial startup but then settle down to more of a mini jet engine sound

Its not the heater is it ? mine makes a farting noise when I switch on the car although it farts and groans after I switch the car off too its always done this which leads me to thinking it aint anything serious. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Sounds like the FBH starting up to me, as Kingpleb has said it quietens down after it has been running for a few minutes. The FBH comes on automatically once the temperature is below 6 degrees (IIRC) to assist with heating the cabin.

If you want to make sure that the heater is running then check the exhaust pipe which to the rear of the front passenger wheel well, if you put your car into off-road height and then have a quick look underneath you can see the pipe coming down out of the engine bay (behind the plastic liner), put your hand near to the end of it and you should be able to feel the exhaust gases

My FBH makes the same groaning noise.

Yep, mine does that too. But my local garage thinks its the air con on its way out! It does sound silly coming from such a prestige car especially outside the school.

I think you may be confusing a couple of uses of the fbh. It is fitted to all diesel FF's as a quicker means of warming up the car in the colder weather. A secondary use (which is not standard on all models) is for it to come on in advance as a cabin heater when the car is parked up. Mine has the basic fitment and like yours over the last few weeks in the colder weather the car makes the strange "groaning noise" when I start it up. Pretty sure that is what you are hearing. As far as I am aware you cannot turn off this basic feature, although I could be wrong of course. No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

I Olders I have just joined today, Hello all.
It sounds like you pre heater I think it only works
when it's cold,mine does the same and goes off after its warmed up.
It's located under passenger wing.
hope this helps
Ash.

Good - sounds like it's the 'normal' noise then ...

Mine sounds like an angry bee for a few minutes! Ash
------------------------------------------------------
2016 SDV8 AB

Groaning mumbling, farting- has the wife eaten any Jerusalem Artichokes?

Just kidding a friend of mine has an 08 TDV8 and his FBH sometimes sounds possessed.

Sounds like it is the FBH and is relatively 'normal'.

Thanks for all feedback and advice everybody; very kind!

Great to have all your collective knowledge so freely given! Cheers!  -----------------------------------------------
2016MY FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Loire Blue
2007MY FFRR 3.6 TDV8 Vogue SE Tonga Green