What is this sound?

BFid · 06-28-2018, 06:18 PM

My 2013 E93 M3 is making an unusual noise. Initially Initially I thought it Might be the fan bearings but it makes the noise when the fan is off and it doesn't sound like it is coming from the fan.

I only have 34k on the car and all maintenance has been performed per BMW maintenance schedule.

https://youtu.be/LrH-mi6Wlwc

Thanks for any help.

illusiveM3 · 06-29-2018, 08:25 AM

Dude, I literally just made a video of this same exact noise last night... Was just about to post here and ask for some thoughts..

When I turn my car off and the fan continues to spin, I do not hear the noise, so I don't believe it's a fan bearing. I am unsure of where it is coming from.

PACarGuy · 06-29-2018, 09:46 AM

What kind of shape are the accessory belts in? Or maybe one of the pulley bearings?

illusiveM3 · 07-09-2018, 08:18 AM

Did you ever diagnose the issue? I am waiting on the warranty for my car to be transferred into my name as I just recently purchased the vehicle. Scheduled to take it to dealership to have it looked at this Saturday for the exact same noise. I didn't know if you identified the problem yet?

BFid · 07-10-2018, 10:04 PM

Just took my car in today for diagnosis. They said that the noise was coming from the area of the oil filter. They put new seals in the oil filter and it still was making the noise. They are keeping it overnight to diagnose the issue. I'm sure it is going to cost me a fortune to get it fixed even if it is something simple.

When I get a diagnosis, I'll post it.

sibhusz06 · 07-10-2018, 10:31 PM

Did you check the hoses in that area, almost sounds like a bad air leak of sorts..

One thing you can try is to take a small vacuum hose about 2 feet long. Put one to your ear and take the other and move it around the area where you hear the noise and see where it becomes the loudest..this will help isolate to the area in question

BFid · 07-11-2018, 08:27 AM

Just got a call from the dealership who told me that the culprit was the idler pulley "at the oil filter housing." They had to remove the fan to diagnose this apparently. They didn't say on the phone but I am assuming there are bearings in the idler pulley that were failing. Kinda sucks for a car with only 34k miles.

DIY installation instructions are here

Can't wait to see what this will cost me. Time for an extended warranty!

illusiveM3 · 07-12-2018, 08:46 AM

Thank you for the update. I was thinking this might be the case. Luckily, I have an extended warranty which I will be using within the next week. Mainly because last night, I was hearing this "wonderful" knocking noise from within the cabin after driving home. Other posts on here state it could be a timing chain tensioner going out.

bstone801 · 07-12-2018, 02:30 PM

Productive Post, Thank you!

monterey · 07-12-2018, 07:21 PM

could it be the water pump?

BFid · 07-13-2018, 09:36 AM

I am wishing I had an extended warranty. The cost to diagnose and replace the idler pulley (listed as deflection pulley on the bill) was $746!

06-28-2018, 06:18 PM	#1
BFid New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Newton, NC iTrader: (0)	What is this sound? My 2013 E93 M3 is making an unusual noise. Initially Initially I thought it Might be the fan bearings but it makes the noise when the fan is off and it doesn't sound like it is coming from the fan. I only have 34k on the car and all maintenance has been performed per BMW maintenance schedule. https://youtu.be/LrH-mi6Wlwc Thanks for any help.
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06-29-2018, 08:25 AM	#2
illusiveM3 Private 13 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Longview, Texas iTrader: (0)	Dude, I literally just made a video of this same exact noise last night... Was just about to post here and ask for some thoughts.. When I turn my car off and the fan continues to spin, I do not hear the noise, so I don't believe it's a fan bearing. I am unsure of where it is coming from. Last edited by illusiveM3; 06-29-2018 at 08:44 AM..
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06-29-2018, 09:46 AM	#3
PACarGuy Captain 675 Rep 973 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Philly burbs, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 E92 M3 [8.33] 2019 G01 X3 (wife's) [0.00]	What kind of shape are the accessory belts in? Or maybe one of the pulley bearings? __________________ 2012 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| DCT \| Space Grey Metallic \| Black Novillo \| BE/ARP \| MPE V2 \| AA green filter \|BMW CF Rear Spoiler, RW Carbon Diffuser, CF Front Splitters \| DTEC 160W Angel Eyes
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07-09-2018, 08:18 AM	#4
illusiveM3 Private 13 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Longview, Texas iTrader: (0)	Did you ever diagnose the issue? I am waiting on the warranty for my car to be transferred into my name as I just recently purchased the vehicle. Scheduled to take it to dealership to have it looked at this Saturday for the exact same noise. I didn't know if you identified the problem yet?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2018, 10:04 PM	#5
BFid New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Newton, NC iTrader: (0)	Just took my car in today for diagnosis. They said that the noise was coming from the area of the oil filter. They put new seals in the oil filter and it still was making the noise. They are keeping it overnight to diagnose the issue. I'm sure it is going to cost me a fortune to get it fixed even if it is something simple. When I get a diagnosis, I'll post it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2018, 10:31 PM	#6
sibhusz06 Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2011 M3, 2012 X35I, 2007 911 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Did you check the hoses in that area, almost sounds like a bad air leak of sorts.. One thing you can try is to take a small vacuum hose about 2 feet long. Put one to your ear and take the other and move it around the area where you hear the noise and see where it becomes the loudest..this will help isolate to the area in question
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-11-2018, 08:27 AM	#7
BFid New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Newton, NC iTrader: (0)	Just got a call from the dealership who told me that the culprit was the idler pulley "at the oil filter housing." They had to remove the fan to diagnose this apparently. They didn't say on the phone but I am assuming there are bearings in the idler pulley that were failing. Kinda sucks for a car with only 34k miles. DIY installation instructions are here Can't wait to see what this will cost me. Time for an extended warranty! Last edited by BFid; 07-11-2018 at 08:42 AM..
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07-12-2018, 08:46 AM	#8
illusiveM3 Private 13 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Longview, Texas iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the update. I was thinking this might be the case. Luckily, I have an extended warranty which I will be using within the next week. Mainly because last night, I was hearing this "wonderful" knocking noise from within the cabin after driving home. Other posts on here state it could be a timing chain tensioner going out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2018, 02:30 PM	#9
bstone801 Private First Class 94 Rep 198 Posts Drives: Alpine e90 M3 slick stick Join Date: May 2015 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0)	Productive Post, Thank you!
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07-12-2018, 07:21 PM	#10
monterey Major 339 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	could it be the water pump?
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07-13-2018, 09:36 AM	#11
BFid New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Newton, NC iTrader: (0)	I am wishing I had an extended warranty. The cost to diagnose and replace the idler pulley (listed as deflection pulley on the bill) was $746!
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