well, tramission wise, i know from older vehicles is if the trans fluid is low, you can get that kind of noise as you get on the higher speeds. i've got a Suby wagon here that's got the same thing going on but it was due to the previous owner running it too low on fluids that now, not only does it make the same sound but it needs a whole new trans because the last highway gear is worn out. trans speed says 60mph when it's really doing 52mph and slowly makes it's way to 48mph as it gets hotter from the slipping friction.

the tires could possibly make that kind of noise too because the sound is speed dependent. think of a huge 4x4 truck sitting on some mean mudder tires and out it makes that howling noise as it goes down the road. very similar, just not as harsh.

for you, i don't think it's the VVTi system. it makes a somewhat high pitched hum noise at high speeds when it's really working over time doing nearly 100mph.

other than that... i can't really tell unless i'm actually there to have a listen for my self.

the only other thing i can REALLY think of is if you may have done a bit of abusive driving to the xB. not intentionally... but say hit a good pot hole or gone down an aggressive driveway at a somewhat higher speed before you got the new tires.

only reason i mention this is that you could just need a suspension alignment job. on harsh events like that, the suspension can be jerked lose or jerked out of alignment.

i guess a good way to tell is to take it upto 50-60mph on a nice flat straight road like the freeway or highway. make sure you're going dead straight and then let go of the wheel for a bit, do this 3-5 times and see if it continuously pulls to one side over and over again. this will suggest a suspension alignment is needed and it may fix the problem.

other than that... there's nothing else i can think of other then what i originally posted as my first replay which could be the water pump and so on.

 

well as for the humming noise i have dealt with...
i am leaning towards the fact that it may be road noise...
but the weird thing is...sometimes i hear it..sometimes i dont
that is the only big problem i have...
but other than that...i beleive that it is more road noise if anything...
but i will keep checking and hope that its nothing big...or nothing at all

 

I think I may have the same problem as JessXA. I found this thread through searching for a solution to my problem. This thread sounds the most similar to my situation, so maybe my posting here will help both of us.

Car: XA, 2004, 41000+ miles

When the car is in neutral, parked, there is a noticeable buzzing sound coming from the engine (passenger side). When you are looking at the engine directly, the buzzing is definitely coming from somewhere to the left of the engine. I would describe the volume level of this buzz as "noticeable" but not super-loud. However, it is of course worrying to me.

When the car is driven over 30 mph, the buzzing is gone.

The buzzing sounds similar to the video posted on this thread, in regards to the water pump going bad.

This buzzing started about 1 month or so ago, from what I can remember.

Oil: the oil smells dirty and burnt -- but it is due for changing after another 1,000 miles. The oil level looks normal. The oil is synthetic.

So what does this all sound the most like? Is my water pump about to go to crap? Or is something wrong with the oil? (Should I go back to the shop that did the oil change?)

If it is the water pump, is there a way I can test this to make sure? Would it be easy (and cheap) to replace it myself? Thanks.

 

JessXA Can you try to pinpoint what side of the engine bay the noise is originating from? Drivers side? Passenger side? Front of the vehicle? Near the windshield?

jcs_xb: You have a manual transmission correct? I believe your problem may be the input shaft bearing starting to fail, I've been told by others that it could also be the bearings for the spider gear but I cant be 100% sure. I've narrowed my problem down to those two and you described your problem exactly like mine.

thewriteguy: If you do believe it is the water pump you have two options depending on your level of automitive knowledge. If you know how to work with cars get an automotive stethescope, start the motor and carefully listen to your water pump and alternator (DO NOT TOUCH ANYT HING THAT ROTATES), if you hear a terrible grinding noise from either one, you found the culprit.. If you don't know what you're doing to to a repair shop that you trust and ask them to check your water pump and alternator for noises, most likely it could be the water pump.

 

^^^ cool thanks for the info....
well as i drive everyday now i feel the noise to be only around 60mph and above. i try to take it up to about 80 and it goes away after that. my brother checked it out and he is hearing te noise too, and he is saying it may be just road noise also. i beleive i still have warranty on the xb. so ima try to take it in for service or something. see what they think.

but if it is the bearing going out and stuff. around how much would it be to replace?

 

If it is any of the bearings in the trans you have to pull the trans and have someone essentially do a rebuild on the trans. so it will cost a pretty big amount. My suggestion if it is under warranty let them deal with it. If not start saving some money. I'm looking into doing a trans. swap, so hopefully I can find some info that will help us both out since i've had the same problem in my transmission for the past 40K mi.

 

WOW for the past 40k miles??? thats alot of miles....
and its still holind up?? . so im hoping atleast
since i only started hearing it recently that i still may
have some life left on the trans. in worse case scenario
that my warranty is done i can atleast save up for a while.

thanks again for the info man. and if you do find out anything
on the trans please let me know . your a TRANS saver!!!

and GL with the car. hope you figure everything out
(because it will help both of us out..hahaha)

 

and hey since your local. maybe you can help me on mine
if i do replace it. thanks again

 

Replace the bearings? I have yet to crack open my transmission for two reasons. One being that even though I know how to do transmission work I have net to get expirence on the C series transmissions. and two being If I do open up my tranny I'm going to do a full rebuild with LSD and thats going to cost a lot of money, so it will have to wait till I have money to do that. If you get your hands on another good transmission I'll be down to help you replace it.

 

Finally... Yes it WAS the front right wheel bearing. It sounded like an engine thing but I guess it wasn't.
Thanks guys!

 

^^^cool congrats to you....
as for mine everything seems fine now