E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Faint whining noise at around 2,000rpm

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:32 AM
  #1  
andy535xi's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Default

Hey guys,

so I've developed a faint whining noise coming from the engine starting from 2,000rpm. With higher rpms, the noise seems to be droned out by the engine (but I'm sure its still there, just can't hear it). It sounds like a supercharger is spooling up, and bugs the hell out of me. I've scheduled a test drive with the shop's foreman, but he said "it might be within parameters". Has anyone experienced this type of noise before? If I pop the hood, the noise seems to be coming from the alternator area. I'm thinking it could be a bearing, or the belt might be to tight. On my last refil, I noticed a 8% decrease in fuel economy, I will keep an eye on this tank.

Any ideas?
When will the problems stop and I will simply enjoy the car?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:37 AM
  #2  
Gene's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Default

what's your build date? do you know what SW version you have...might be the wastegate, as that was a complaint with the N54 engine...if you are on an older SW version...the "turbo-lag"/wastegate fix SW version 29.2+ addressed this issue....

SW version 33+ addresses both the wastegate rattle and turbo lag complaint....AFAIK
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #3  
rkinra's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
My Ride: 2009 535i - Platinum Gray Metallic | Black Dakota Leather | Bamboo Anthracite Wood Trim | Sport | Premium | Cold Weather | Nav | Comfort Access | PDC | Ipod/USB | Sat Radio | HD Radio
Default

How do you figure out what software version of iDrive is in the car?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:46 AM
  #4  
Gene's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Default

Originally Posted by rkinra' post='834156' date='Apr 2 2009, 10:45 AM
How do you figure out what software version of iDrive is in the car?
can't find it via iDrive, gotta take it down to the dealership to find out...
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:51 AM
  #5  
andy535xi's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Default

built date was sometime in June/July 2008. Whats a SW?
The noise doesn't sound like waste gate blowing off, it more of a cosistent whining noise similar to a supercharger.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 12:37 PM
  #6  
bigbadbull's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham AL
My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi Grey/Grey Budapest 18" Lost to HPFP issues: 08 535i sport pkg Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks: 07 E61 530Xi
Default

SoftWare

Yeah you need to read up on all the issues with the N54.
I'm betting it's not the alternator most likely one of the waste gates or a waste gate articulator. Since your car is a June 08 build you are SOL you have MSD 81, and most of the software fixes don't apply to your car. If your car was pre March 08 build there could be some stuff you could do.

The lag fixes don't work with MSD 81, only MSD 80.

You could also have a pinched or kinked vacuum line.

You can only find out which software version at the dealer. But since your build is June 08 you will have some where a round 29.2 or 30.1 , the two most dreaded versions of the software. You can't get it changed to 32.1/2/3 or 33.01 unless bmw deems it's necessary. A MSD 80 would be illegible for the upgrades no questions asked ( almost)

I'm going waste gates , but sounds like you need to go to the dealer. Have you had a HPFP failure yet?

go to e90post.com and the turbo section , you will find a ton of facts on the N54 that will help with some of the more common N54 issues. Look like you will have some heavy reading over the weekend... The lag sticky is over 180 pages long....
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PakiBeamer
E60 Discussion
16
Dec 9, 2016 04:40 AM
LILBZ3
E60 Discussion
2
Sep 27, 2015 08:06 PM
mohebmhanna
E60 Discussion
6
Sep 21, 2015 05:08 PM
rmendoza.2611
E60 Discussion
0
Sep 11, 2015 10:00 AM
snoop
E60 Discussion
2
Sep 9, 2015 08:47 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:23 AM.