car is a 57 (jan 2008) HSE auto. 70k miles.
ok.. so im driving along at varying speads between 50 - 70, approach a junction and as im coasting up to a junction coming to a stop I hear this loudish noise that sounds sounder then the engine and I can only describe as like a rumble/thwaites dumper truck! it sounds like something spinning and as i stop the noise seems to slow down, become quieter and then goes away. So i drive off and all seems well. a few minutes later it does it again in the same circs.
drive off... all ok. short while later i pull out of a junction and i hear the noise again but this time as a constant as im accelerating. I keep driving and it clears within a couple of seconds. Every time it only last for a couple of seconds. It sounds roughly like its coming from somewhere between the engine and the gearstick location

It did it a few weeks ago but ive not heard it since. The box seems to change gear fine and works as it should in sport and command shift. no warning lights etc on the dash. it was HOT today and I vaguely recall it being hot last time it did it...

Im worried its going to be something bad!

Anyone able to help / offer words of reassurance / tell me to set light to it in a field?!

Ta

Aaron

It could be from the AC system (compressor). I have something similar.
Try when you hear it to hit the ECON button and see if it disappears.

Alex... you're spot on!

I don't generally use the a/c but tried it after reading your reply and it made the exact same noise. Odd how its not done it before when I've used it though,..

So its an issue with the compressor? is this a serviceable part or am I looking at a full replacement?

Thanks for the help.

Aaron

Mine does this almost from day one, but I don't worry as I've seen many vehicles making noises from AC system, especially when decelerating. It has something to do with the variable displacement system inside the compressor and the compressor's load/output.
If the system is working fine and the sound is not starting to be louder and louder as time passes, then it should be OK.