Whirring noise from the engine bay

jsllsj · 01-01-2013, 09:00 PM

Hi All,

This afternoon when I started my M3 there was a whirring noise that was pretty audible from the cabin. I've never heard the noise before, but I thought maybe it was just the car warming up. I drove it around for a few miles, and the noise was mostly consistently there, but disappeared for a few seconds at a time. I captured it on video:

Any idea what it could be? My mechanic is closed for the holidays so I won't be able to take it in for another few days.

Thanks!

Bmw135er · 01-01-2013, 09:07 PM

Have you checked the level and condition of your power steering fluid?

Vic311 · 01-02-2013, 12:11 AM

^Could be PS fluid if it makes more noise as you turn the wheel

To me it sounds like a pulley bearing

Rshane · 01-02-2013, 11:24 AM

Have you had your brake fluid changed recently? Kind of sounds like your brake solenoid working overtime. Just a guess, it's kind of hard to tell from the bid.

jsllsj · 01-02-2013, 01:09 PM

I just checked the power steering fluid and its at the correct level. I didn't change the brake fluid recently. Strangely the sound was completely gone this morning. I still made an appointment to get it checked out.

thekurgan · 01-02-2013, 01:32 PM

Not sure about the power steering, but I do hear a squeaky pulley or serpentine belt.

Vic311 · 01-02-2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsllsj

I just checked the power steering fluid and its at the correct level. I didn't change the brake fluid recently. Strangely the sound was completely gone this morning. I still made an appointment to get it checked out.

I am pretty sure it is a pulley bearing..moisture on a cold engine sometimes causes that noise. If its gone and you cant replicate at the dealer they will most likely do nothing for you.

jsllsj · 01-03-2013, 06:45 PM

Just got it back from the mechanic. He wasn't able to reproduce the sound and said it had to do something with it being a cold start and not to worry about it unless the sound is constantly there.

01-01-2013, 09:00 PM	#1
jsllsj New Member Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 11 iTrader: (1)	Whirring noise from the engine bay Hi All, This afternoon when I started my M3 there was a whirring noise that was pretty audible from the cabin. I've never heard the noise before, but I thought maybe it was just the car warming up. I drove it around for a few miles, and the noise was mostly consistently there, but disappeared for a few seconds at a time. I captured it on video: Any idea what it could be? My mechanic is closed for the holidays so I won't be able to take it in for another few days. Thanks!
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01-02-2013, 11:24 AM	#4
Rshane M-Flight Member Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany Posts: 1,061 iTrader: (0)	Have you had your brake fluid changed recently? Kind of sounds like your brake solenoid working overtime. Just a guess, it's kind of hard to tell from the bid. __________________ 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

01-02-2013, 01:32 PM	#6
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,883 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Not sure about the power steering, but I do hear a squeaky pulley or serpentine belt. __________________ 08 E90M3 6MT Alpinweiss/Carbon

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01-01-2013, 09:07 PM	#2
Bmw135er Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,375 iTrader: (9)	Have you checked the level and condition of your power steering fluid?

01-02-2013, 12:11 AM	#3
Vic311 Zen Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CA Posts: 845 iTrader: (0)	^Could be PS fluid if it makes more noise as you turn the wheel To me it sounds like a pulley bearing

01-02-2013, 01:09 PM	#5
jsllsj New Member Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 11 iTrader: (1)	I just checked the power steering fluid and its at the correct level. I didn't change the brake fluid recently. Strangely the sound was completely gone this morning. I still made an appointment to get it checked out.

01-03-2013, 06:45 PM	#8
jsllsj New Member Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 11 iTrader: (1)	Just got it back from the mechanic. He wasn't able to reproduce the sound and said it had to do something with it being a cold start and not to worry about it unless the sound is constantly there.