Cam gears whining sound?

dreamspeed · 12-04-2012, 06:12 PM

So i've been trying to figure out what the whining sound coming from the engine bay is and i believe it is the cam gears. I was able to find some info on the forums but not a whole lot about this topic

I was wondering if you guys can take a look at my descriptions below and give your opinion on whether it is the cam gears

- whining sound coming from engine bay area

- sound is similar to supercharger whine or that whining sound from your transmission when you accelerate quickly in reverse or that "feedback" sound you get with aftermarket stereos OR that whining/whirling sound of a high speed RC car

-sound is evident both while stationary (idling) and moving (on the throttle)

- sound volume goes up and down in relation to amount of throttle

- sound is very noticeable in 1st and 2nd but less prevalent in 3rd gear and higher

- sound is independent of steering

- sounds like it is coming from the left side of the engine bay when you are standing at the front of the car (passenger side)

- i'm not an expert but do know my way around cars and in my opinion it doesn't sound "offensive".... meaning it doesn't sound like something is broken...of course i know that these sounds can be quite tricky

elm3 · 12-04-2012, 06:20 PM

That is your cam gears making that sound. It is totally normal.

Peahi · 12-05-2012, 01:25 PM

The sounds of sweetness! When I see other local m3s that the signature sound. Must drive 335 guys nuts that their cars' engine sound is anemic in comparison. Lol!!!

Pontrelli · 12-05-2012, 02:30 PM

4 cams.. Double-VANOS = lots of noise..all normal.

M3PO · 12-05-2012, 03:04 PM

Definitely the cam gears and totally normal.

Mike van D · 12-05-2012, 03:20 PM

...love the sound of gear drive vs old timing chains, etc. Unique sound for this engine that most who own recognize from a distance.

dreamspeed · 12-05-2012, 05:26 PM

Yah I actually prefer my sports/sporty cars to be noisy, just wanted to make sure it's not the bad sort of noise i'm hearing

I love how the car sounds really raw on a cold start

dreamspeed · 02-21-2013, 02:31 PM

Just to provide an update since I know a lot of people wonder about the whining sound.

I took the car in to the dealership to have the hood latch adjusted recently and asked them about the whining noise. They said the noise was normal.

Now whether or not they can be trusted (or if they even know what they are talking about)... well that's up to you to decide.

12-04-2012, 06:12 PM	#1
dreamspeed Captain Drives: M3 E92 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 802 iTrader: (0)	Cam gears whining sound? So i've been trying to figure out what the whining sound coming from the engine bay is and i believe it is the cam gears. I was able to find some info on the forums but not a whole lot about this topic I was wondering if you guys can take a look at my descriptions below and give your opinion on whether it is the cam gears - whining sound coming from engine bay area - sound is similar to supercharger whine or that whining sound from your transmission when you accelerate quickly in reverse or that "feedback" sound you get with aftermarket stereos OR that whining/whirling sound of a high speed RC car -sound is evident both while stationary (idling) and moving (on the throttle) - sound volume goes up and down in relation to amount of throttle - sound is very noticeable in 1st and 2nd but less prevalent in 3rd gear and higher - sound is independent of steering - sounds like it is coming from the left side of the engine bay when you are standing at the front of the car (passenger side) - i'm not an expert but do know my way around cars and in my opinion it doesn't sound "offensive".... meaning it doesn't sound like something is broken...of course i know that these sounds can be quite tricky
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12-04-2012, 06:20 PM	#2
elm3 M3 Lover Drives: 2009 e92 M3 Interlagos Blue Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canton, GA. Posts: 1,791 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [5.00] 2002 Nissan Xterra ... [0.50] 2004 Yamaha R1 [0.00]	That is your cam gears making that sound. It is totally normal. __________________ '09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue, 6MT, Silver Novillo Leather, CF Trim, Premium Package, Technology Package, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound, 19" Wheels, Moonroof-Toy//'02 Nissan Xterra- Daily Driver/ '04 Yamaha R1- Toy/'06Yamaha Raptor 350- Toy
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12-05-2012, 01:25 PM	#3
Peahi Captain Drives: 2012 M3 CPE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 664 iTrader: (0)	The sounds of sweetness! When I see other local m3s that the signature sound. Must drive 335 guys nuts that their cars' engine sound is anemic in comparison. Lol!!! __________________
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12-05-2012, 03:04 PM	#5
M3PO Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC Posts: 2,498 iTrader: (6)	Definitely the cam gears and totally normal. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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12-05-2012, 03:20 PM	#6
Mike van D Major Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 1,114 iTrader: (0)	...love the sound of gear drive vs old timing chains, etc. Unique sound for this engine that most who own recognize from a distance. __________________ ...just enjoying life.
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12-05-2012, 02:30 PM	#4
Pontrelli Banned Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	4 cams.. Double-VANOS = lots of noise..all normal.
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12-05-2012, 05:26 PM	#7
dreamspeed Captain Drives: M3 E92 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 802 iTrader: (0)	Yah I actually prefer my sports/sporty cars to be noisy, just wanted to make sure it's not the bad sort of noise i'm hearing I love how the car sounds really raw on a cold start
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02-21-2013, 02:31 PM	#8
dreamspeed Captain Drives: M3 E92 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 802 iTrader: (0)	Just to provide an update since I know a lot of people wonder about the whining sound. I took the car in to the dealership to have the hood latch adjusted recently and asked them about the whining noise. They said the noise was normal. Now whether or not they can be trusted (or if they even know what they are talking about)... well that's up to you to decide. __________________
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