Recently I've been noticing, when I start my TL in the mornings (after it has sat in the garage) I hear a pronounced "whirling noise." It sounds almost like a high pitched fan.

It stays on for a few minutes as I drive and accelerate the car, but then it eventually disappears. The noise doesn't seem to come on during the afternoons (at least I can't hear it).

Any ideas? Is it a fan? Or is it something major (propeller shaft)?

 

Must resist urge to post vibrator joke...too late.

 

Sounds like it could be your belts. Check for any lose belts, or any that may need replacement.

 

I have exactly the same problem as described. I try to find where it's coming from with no success. From outside i can't hear it. On neutral the noise don't change. heating is turned off. It seems like a belt

2012 TL SHAWD with 16000 miles (one year old)

 

Some RLs seem to have this issue its the propeller shaft whine. Does it happen only when temps are low?

 

Yes i think, because here in Canada it's always cold actually, so i can't compare.

 

Seems to happen when starting the car in the morning after it sits overnight in the garage. Then it seems to disappear through the day. I'm leaving the car outside all day today and it will be mid 40s today; I'll try to see if I can hear this noise when I finish up at the office tonight.

 

I used to have a similar issue with my RL... it was the propeller shaft...

mine sounded lke a high pitched humm / whistle noise.. it only happened when it was cold outside and before the car warmed up... it also only happened at certain speeds... if I sped up it went away... then slowed back down to the certain speed and it came right back...

dealer fixed mine under warranty.. as I recall, the part is like $2000.... given that the powerplant/AWD system on the TL and RL are similar... this coudl be your issue..

 

Thanks for the tip.

Ok, I've had enough. I called Acura Client Relations today. Told them my complaint re:

1) above said issue
2) an unresolved "clunking diesel noise" I hear from the engine when the car is warmed up
3) The 3rd gear pop out (which my stealership has repeatedly denied their is a problem).

I have a claim filed with Acura. They told me to go back to the dealership and tell them my concerns. If nothing is resolved, I was told to call Client Relations again. We'll see if any resolution comes about. Will keep you guys/gals posted.

 

the propeller shaft only makes the noise while the car is in motion...and its usually after the bearing gets warmed up....take your car on a 20 minute highway drive, get off the highway and drive at 45mph....you should beable to hear it, usually you cant hear it at highway speeds due to the wind noise drowning it out....its a know problem, so you shouldnt have to much push back from the service advisor...

 

Here is what you do. When you hear the noise in the morning, pull the cabin air filter out and touch the fan with your hand. If the noise stops, you know what it is. We can go from there.

 

Update:

Brought my the vehicle into the dealership last week after making an appt. Complained about 3rd gear pop out, "diesel clunking" noise, and the whirling noise.

This is the 4th time I brought the car in for the gear pop out issue. I went a test drive a tech. Could not duplicate any of said above issues. After mentioning I filed a claim with client relations, the stealership agreed to keep the car over the weekend.

Sure enough, I got a call Mon afternoon and they were able to duplicate (at least they claimed verbally) the 3rd gear pop out issue and are going to change out the 3rd gear set [though I'm pretty sure my filing a claim with corporate has something to do with it]. They could not however duplicate the other 2 said issues. They did mention the tech found evidence of the transmission being taken out/worked on before, which I vehemently denied.

So the stealership still has my TL, transmission completely gutted out, and am waiting for more updates.

 

i have a 2012 TL SHAWD, same thing i hear early in the morning i start the car in the garage as it getting to warm up i hear like a gurgling noise. but its only when the car stays overnight. durning the all day u wont hear it. i wonder what it could be it sounds like some fluid is running threw the lines. let me know if someone comes across the solution thanks

 

I finally got the TL back today; the dealership had it for a week.

So after numerous visit and complaints, even battling the "unable to duplicate" answer and "driver's error" the dealership according to the service form:
1) replaced the 3rd gear set
2) replaced the clutch assembly
3) even did an alignment

The car shifts super smoothly now, and shifts feel crisp and the clutch engagement feels great. I don't recall it ever feeling this good, even when it was brand new. There seems to be a little "clicky" noise coming from the clutch, but not sure if that's b/c it's new or if it's coming from somewhere else, or I'm just paranoid.

The dealership was not able to duplicate the "clunking diesel" noise or the "whirling noise" I hear sometimes in the morning. I was by a service advisor today that the engine noise may be related to the clutch/3rd gear issue, or may be due to low quality gas. I use Costco 91 premium, but the tech suggest I use Chevron or Texaco supreme. We'll see if that engine noise reappears or not.

But for now, I give props to Acura for finally fixing the 3rd gear issue, and for even replacing the clutch assembly.