Engine emits rattling noise between 2k to 3k rpm

ImStig · 10-27-2011, 01:39 AM

Hi all,

Since about 2k miles, my M3\'s engine makes a rattle noise between 2k to 3k rpm for higher gears (3rd to 6th, more pronounce on higher gears) when I try to accelerate harder on those gears. The rattle is more pronounced with the power bottom on. On the other hand, no rattles in 1st or 2nd gear, or neutral. The sound emits from the driver side of the engine bay it seems.

This is the first v8 for me, and I was wondering if this is common? My transmission is 6mt.

Thanks for the guidance here!

Rshane · 10-27-2011, 10:16 AM

Yep, most likely the normal intake rattle. It got really loud for me when I installed my Akrapovic exhaust.

Boosted-M · 10-27-2011, 12:31 PM

Does it almost sound like the engines pinging and only makes the noise under light load between 2k to 3k rpm..?

ImStig · 10-27-2011, 06:08 PM

The rattling noise is like a fluttering sound, but only there when under load (more aggressive throttling)

SPQR M3 · 10-30-2011, 07:30 PM

Yes, I have the exact same sound under the same conditions. I would love to know the reason too.

Locksmythe · 11-01-2011, 06:57 AM

It is normal engine noise coming back out through the intake. If you are hearing it more on the left side that is because the hood vent on the left is connected to the intake. The dual-layer 2008-2009 US intake filter silences the rattle, at cost of air flow. Newer US or Euro filters and aftermarket filters do not.

After 9 months with an aftermarket filter I put the stock 2009 back in.

Thebigbus · 12-27-2012, 07:46 PM

So is the general consensus that this is all airbox related?? I test drove a used m3 dct yesterday, and heard, upon acceleration, a rattling/fluttering...like wind trapped under paper....from what seemed to be the front left part of the vehicle? Almost a "crackling" or "rustling" actually...hard to describe. It wasn't there when the car was revved in neutral...

phlliphethe · 12-27-2012, 09:01 PM

The dual-layer 2008-2009 US intake filter silences the rattle, at cost of air flow.

aussiem3 · 12-27-2012, 09:23 PM

Very interesting. Five years and 35k km later I am yet to hear this. I am about to install a BMC filter sometime today. Mine is a '07 car.

Munit · 12-27-2012, 10:33 PM

Totally normal. Its not the airbox, its rather that it is a very open, large air filter and box so emitting all the sounds from the engine which what you here is the clatter and natural resonance of the valvetrain at those RPMS' and gears.

Love the mechanical sound of this car!

The one thing is you really never should be in a situation where you are accelerating in this rpm range in a high gear. You need to keep this thing about 5k rpms so it is never an issue in real life driving, atleast for me!

Thebigbus · 12-27-2012, 10:46 PM

I hope that is what I'm hearing! Can definitely live with it if that's what's going on. I guess I mainly noticed it at lower speeds, when I would have to be in the lower rev range. Soot is the "air under paper" sound, correct". Almost a hybrid rattle/flutter sound?

Freaked me out, though

. I have a GTO rt now, which makes a few noises, but not like that.

10-27-2011, 01:39 AM	#1
ImStig Private First Class Drives: Acura TL 04 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 106 iTrader: (0)	Engine emits rattling noise between 2k to 3k rpm Hi all, Since about 2k miles, my M3\'s engine makes a rattle noise between 2k to 3k rpm for higher gears (3rd to 6th, more pronounce on higher gears) when I try to accelerate harder on those gears. The rattle is more pronounced with the power bottom on. On the other hand, no rattles in 1st or 2nd gear, or neutral. The sound emits from the driver side of the engine bay it seems. This is the first v8 for me, and I was wondering if this is common? My transmission is 6mt. Thanks for the guidance here! __________________ 2004 Acura TL (Current) 2000 E46 323i (Sold 2007) "Some say, he has a stripy top, just like mine" - James May
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10-27-2011, 10:16 AM	#2
Rshane M-Flight Member Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany Posts: 1,063 iTrader: (0)	Yep, most likely the normal intake rattle. It got really loud for me when I installed my Akrapovic exhaust. __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue M3// Black extended Novillo w/ Blue Grey Aluminum trim/DCT/ZTP/ZCW/ZPP/ZCP Premium Sound ///Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust 2012 Le Mans Blue 135i M Pkg DCT 2008 Brilliant Red Audi TT 3.2 Quattro 6M

10-27-2011, 06:08 PM	#4
ImStig Private First Class Drives: Acura TL 04 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 106 iTrader: (0)	The rattling noise is like a fluttering sound, but only there when under load (more aggressive throttling) __________________ 2004 Acura TL (Current) 2000 E46 323i (Sold 2007) "Some say, he has a stripy top, just like mine" - James May

12-27-2012, 09:01 PM	#8
phlliphethe New Member Drives: bmw Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: see you body Posts: 7 iTrader: (0)	The dual-layer 2008-2009 US intake filter silences the rattle, at cost of air flow. __________________

12-27-2012, 09:23 PM	#9
aussiem3 Captain Drives: '07 E92 M3/'11 F25 X3 3.0D Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Down Under Posts: 799 iTrader: (0)	Very interesting. Five years and 35k km later I am yet to hear this. I am about to install a BMC filter sometime today. Mine is a '07 car. __________________ 2007 E92 6MT - Silverstone II with Extended Black and /// Performance Exhaust and BPM Sport Tune 2011 F25 X3 3.0d

10-27-2011, 12:31 PM	#3
Boosted-M Private First Class Drives: BMW ///M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northeast Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	Does it almost sound like the engines pinging and only makes the noise under light load between 2k to 3k rpm..?

10-30-2011, 07:30 PM	#5
SPQR M3 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 297 iTrader: (0)	Yes, I have the exact same sound under the same conditions. I would love to know the reason too.

11-01-2011, 06:57 AM	#6
Locksmythe Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 e92 M3 AW/FR Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 201 iTrader: (0)	It is normal engine noise coming back out through the intake. If you are hearing it more on the left side that is because the hood vent on the left is connected to the intake. The dual-layer 2008-2009 US intake filter silences the rattle, at cost of air flow. Newer US or Euro filters and aftermarket filters do not. After 9 months with an aftermarket filter I put the stock 2009 back in.

12-27-2012, 07:46 PM	#7
Thebigbus Private Drives: 2009 e90 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	So is the general consensus that this is all airbox related?? I test drove a used m3 dct yesterday, and heard, upon acceleration, a rattling/fluttering...like wind trapped under paper....from what seemed to be the front left part of the vehicle? Almost a "crackling" or "rustling" actually...hard to describe. It wasn't there when the car was revved in neutral...

12-27-2012, 10:33 PM	#10
Munit Banned Drives: m3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: CA Posts: 220 iTrader: (0)	Totally normal. Its not the airbox, its rather that it is a very open, large air filter and box so emitting all the sounds from the engine which what you here is the clatter and natural resonance of the valvetrain at those RPMS' and gears. Love the mechanical sound of this car! The one thing is you really never should be in a situation where you are accelerating in this rpm range in a high gear. You need to keep this thing about 5k rpms so it is never an issue in real life driving, atleast for me!

12-27-2012, 10:46 PM	#11
Thebigbus Private Drives: 2009 e90 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	I hope that is what I'm hearing! Can definitely live with it if that's what's going on. I guess I mainly noticed it at lower speeds, when I would have to be in the lower rev range. Soot is the "air under paper" sound, correct". Almost a hybrid rattle/flutter sound? Freaked me out, though . I have a GTO rt now, which makes a few noises, but not like that.

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