UPDATED WITH VIDEO - Diagnose this engine whine noise?

Todd0131 · 01-15-2016, 10:44 AM

mine does that when it is cold as well. Once the car warms up it goes away. I am gonna take it to a indy next week and see what they come up with. I have owned other bwm's that have sounded the same.

fancybmw · 01-18-2016, 04:09 PM

Here is a video I just took, the sound comes through clearer.

It's not intermittent and it doesn't go away after driving or warming up. It's there all the time and it's definitely not normal.

redpriest · 01-18-2016, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingnog

Here is a video I just took, the sound comes through clearer.

It's not intermittent and it doesn't go away after driving or warming up. It's there all the time and it's definitely not normal.

I had a loud whine at slow RPM when my car was cold and it was the motor mounts believe it or not; once I replaced them, gone. What are the condition of your mounts?

redpriest · 01-18-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Here's a video of the noise that I am getting. It comes and goes. This weekend I made a hard right turn, nothing to crazy, and then it started. Can anyone identify it?

I think this is an intake whistle coming from the lower part of your intake? - I have the same issue and I have yet to figure out where it's coming from - it is especially annoying when traveling at cruising speed on the highway.

Cbozz · 01-18-2016, 04:34 PM

revving a cold engine is a great practice!

fancybmw · 01-18-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpriest

I think this is an intake whistle coming from the lower part of your intake? - I have the same issue and I have yet to figure out where it's coming from - it is especially annoying when traveling at cruising speed on the highway.

Yes, this is pretty much exactly what it sounds like! I also found this video, the guy zooms in on the correct spot:

Now that we have multiple examples of the sound....what in the world is causing it?!

Mr. BMW · 01-18-2016, 07:04 PM

I bought a used 03 Nissan Pathfinder once and it had a really loud whine when it was really cold. Dealer replaced the idler pulley but that wasn't it. I thought it was the power steering pump cause it seemed the sound was coming from there but what it ended up being was the "Fan motor coupler".
It's the part you see behind the fan clutch in the attached picture. Not sure what this looks like on the M3 but it might me something to look at.

fancybmw · 01-20-2016, 11:34 PM

Bump for any new ideas...

NashvegasR · 01-21-2016, 02:26 AM

Here's what I can say: I just traded in a 2009 M3 E93 that did _not_ in any way make this noise for a 2013 E92 M3 that does make this noise.

It sounds kind of cool to me -- but I've noticed it when walking around the car when it's idling, when revving in a tunnel or driving next to a wall. The other M3 I had did not make the noise. I figured it was something to do with the newer, younger engine sounding better.

ReCovery · 05-30-2016, 12:48 PM

anyone here ever figure out the source of this problem?

dry87 · 10-09-2017, 11:31 AM

I have same problem aswell, any solution?

N8bmw · 10-09-2017, 12:14 PM

I had this same noise and it ended up being the water pump. Water pump pulley had a nasty wobble as well. Replaced all related pulleys at the same time too. Noise gone!

monterey · 10-09-2017, 02:36 PM

Mine was caused by the idler pulley. The bearing gets dry and can cause a wonderful squeal.

Alistair83 · 10-09-2017, 02:48 PM

I have the same noise coming only with RPM acceleration. Took it to my dealership, and they said I need to change the tensioners, pulleys and belts.

They ordered the parts. Will get it done next week and let you know if solves the problem. Parts were about $600.

Mine is a 2013 E93 M3 with 40,000 KM on it.

dry87 · 10-09-2017, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alistair83

I have the same noise coming only with RPM acceleration. Took it to my dealership, and they said I need to change the tensioners, pulleys and belts.

They ordered the parts. Will get it done next week and let you know if solves the problem. Parts were about $600.

Mine is a 2013 E93 M3 with 40,000 KM on it.

Let me know which one cause the whine noise?

Scrippy · 10-09-2017, 08:26 PM

PS PUMP.

Alistair83 · 10-26-2017, 11:36 AM

I'm not sure which one was causing the noise exactly, but I changed the belts, pulleys and tensioners and the noise is gone.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...e-kit/?pdk=AQQ

Hope that helps.

Alistair83 · 10-26-2017, 11:38 AM

PS Pump - Initially I thought it may have been either the PS Pump or the Alternator.

But when I would turn the wheel from left to right when the car was stationary, it wouldn't make the noise, hence I thought it probably was not the PS Pump. I did top up the fluid though. In some similar cases, topping up the fluid has made the noise go away.

dry87 · 11-18-2017, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dry87

I have same problem aswell, any solution?

My problems come from engine not from the belt. Anyone has same experience and solutions?

Alistair83 · 12-03-2017, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dry87

My problems come from engine not from the belt. Anyone has same experience and solutions?

Generally from my limited experience that noise would come from the alternator, steering pump or tensioner/pulleys/belts.

In my case, the sound was exactly like yours. Linked to engine speed. No noise when turning the wheel.

The BMW tech said it was the tensioners / pulleys and belt and suggested to change all, which cost about $500 and the sound was gone.

Prior to this, I suspected the steering pump and even topped up the fluid, but obviously it wasn't this.

bimmerfrk · 12-04-2017, 08:58 AM

100% healthy

maestrodevil · 12-29-2022, 03:18 AM

Guys, I'm having the same issue since yesterday and troubled to see that many have this issue but it isn't clearly diagnosed what's causing this. Anybody found the exact cause that might fix this? I'd like to avoid spending $hundreds$ trying to replace all pulleys and belts since some have confirmed it wasn't the problem. Mine is exactly like the video attached by fancybmw.

fancybmw what fixed your issue?

Alistair83; and dry87 yours??

Thanks!!

01-15-2016, 10:44 AM	#23
Todd0131 Lieutenant 372 Rep 532 Posts Drives: Yukon, stumpjumper, m3, m5 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tx iTrader: (0)	mine does that when it is cold as well. Once the car warms up it goes away. I am gonna take it to a indy next week and see what they come up with. I have owned other bwm's that have sounded the same.
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01-18-2016, 04:09 PM	#24
fancybmw New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 09 M3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Here is a video I just took, the sound comes through clearer. It's not intermittent and it doesn't go away after driving or warming up. It's there all the time and it's definitely not normal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2016, 04:34 PM	#27
Cbozz Colonel 848 Rep 2,852 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Florida/ St. Louis iTrader: (28) Garage List 2016 BMW X5M [0.00] 08 BMW M3 [0.00] 14 BMW X5 50i - sold [0.00] 09 BMW 335i - Sold [0.00] 09 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00] 07 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00]	revving a cold engine is a great practice! __________________ Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
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01-18-2016, 07:04 PM	#29
Mr. BMW Major 301 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 M3 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2018 Jeep Grand Che ... [0.00]	I bought a used 03 Nissan Pathfinder once and it had a really loud whine when it was really cold. Dealer replaced the idler pulley but that wasn't it. I thought it was the power steering pump cause it seemed the sound was coming from there but what it ended up being was the "Fan motor coupler". It's the part you see behind the fan clutch in the attached picture. Not sure what this looks like on the M3 but it might me something to look at. Attached Images __________________ 12 M3 Interlagos Blue/Black 18 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Yeah, it's got a HEMI) 21 X3 Silver/Black(Wife's) 06 330i Monaco Blue/Black (retired) 02 X5 3.0 Topaz Blue/Black (retired)
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01-20-2016, 11:34 PM	#30
fancybmw New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 09 M3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Bump for any new ideas...
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01-21-2016, 02:26 AM	#31
NashvegasR Lieutenant 189 Rep 534 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 F83 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Whidbey Island, WA iTrader: (4)	Here's what I can say: I just traded in a 2009 M3 E93 that did _not_ in any way make this noise for a 2013 E92 M3 that does make this noise. It sounds kind of cool to me -- but I've noticed it when walking around the car when it's idling, when revving in a tunnel or driving next to a wall. The other M3 I had did not make the noise. I figured it was something to do with the newer, younger engine sounding better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2016, 12:48 PM	#32
ReCovery Private First Class 82 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2011 Silverstone E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	anyone here ever figure out the source of this problem?
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10-09-2017, 11:31 AM	#33
dry87 Private First Class 47 Rep 147 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: DKI Jakarta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 porsche macan [0.00] 2015 bmw 435i [0.00]	I have same problem aswell, any solution?
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10-09-2017, 12:14 PM	#34
N8bmw bizarreridetotheM3side 39 Rep 77 Posts Drives: Silverstone e90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (0)	I had this same noise and it ended up being the water pump. Water pump pulley had a nasty wobble as well. Replaced all related pulleys at the same time too. Noise gone!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2017, 02:36 PM	#35
monterey Major 371 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Mine was caused by the idler pulley. The bearing gets dry and can cause a wonderful squeal. __________________ A job is nothing but work.
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10-09-2017, 02:48 PM	#36
Alistair83 Private 5 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I have the same noise coming only with RPM acceleration. Took it to my dealership, and they said I need to change the tensioners, pulleys and belts. They ordered the parts. Will get it done next week and let you know if solves the problem. Parts were about $600. Mine is a 2013 E93 M3 with 40,000 KM on it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2017, 08:26 PM	#38
Scrippy Lord Scrip 2390 Rep 3,419 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LA,Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	PS PUMP. __________________
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10-26-2017, 11:36 AM	#39
Alistair83 Private 5 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure which one was causing the noise exactly, but I changed the belts, pulleys and tensioners and the noise is gone. https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...e-kit/?pdk=AQQ Hope that helps.
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10-26-2017, 11:38 AM	#40
Alistair83 Private 5 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	PS Pump - Initially I thought it may have been either the PS Pump or the Alternator. But when I would turn the wheel from left to right when the car was stationary, it wouldn't make the noise, hence I thought it probably was not the PS Pump. I did top up the fluid though. In some similar cases, topping up the fluid has made the noise go away.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2017, 08:58 AM	#43
bimmerfrk Lieutenant 665 Rep 544 Posts Drives: 2022 M8 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Marlboro NJ iTrader: (0)	100% healthy __________________
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12-29-2022, 03:18 AM	#44
maestrodevil Enlisted Member 8 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 12M3E93 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Guys, I'm having the same issue since yesterday and troubled to see that many have this issue but it isn't clearly diagnosed what's causing this. Anybody found the exact cause that might fix this? I'd like to avoid spending $hundreds$ trying to replace all pulleys and belts since some have confirmed it wasn't the problem. Mine is exactly like the video attached by fancybmw. fancybmw what fixed your issue? Alistair83; and dry87 yours?? Thanks!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote