High Pitched Whining Noise from Engine
04-16-2012, 10:07 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Dear friends,
I have a 2004 525i with 135K+ miles on it. I purchased it 5 years ago at 90K miles and have only performed oil changes since, no major maintenance has been done since I bought it.
I have recently started hearing a high pitched whining noise from the engine compartment. The noise is much louder when the air conditioning is on, but is also present when air conditioning is off.
The noise is more noticeable when the car is in "Drive", and less noticeable (but still present) when the car is in "Park". The car has been driven for less than 2,000 miles per year for the last few years. The Check Engine light is not on, and I have no messages in iDrive. The car is 100% stock, no mods of any kind.
I would very much appreciate any thoughts that you guys (and gals) could share on what could be the culprit causing this terrible noise.
Thank you very much.
I have a 2004 525i with 135K+ miles on it. I purchased it 5 years ago at 90K miles and have only performed oil changes since, no major maintenance has been done since I bought it.
I have recently started hearing a high pitched whining noise from the engine compartment. The noise is much louder when the air conditioning is on, but is also present when air conditioning is off.
The noise is more noticeable when the car is in "Drive", and less noticeable (but still present) when the car is in "Park". The car has been driven for less than 2,000 miles per year for the last few years. The Check Engine light is not on, and I have no messages in iDrive. The car is 100% stock, no mods of any kind.
I would very much appreciate any thoughts that you guys (and gals) could share on what could be the culprit causing this terrible noise.
Thank you very much.
04-16-2012, 10:33 AM
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
From what you described, you may have bad bearings somewhere and my guess would be the A/C compressor or pulley. The pulley spins freely when turned off and then a clutch engages the pulley to the compressor when turned on. I don't think you can replace the pulley without removing the compressor - which means you would have to bust the enclosed freon lines to remove the compressor and refill once it is put back on.
I recommend you get an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the noise location and then find a good service shop to give you an estimate. I hope I'm wrong because what I just decribed will not be a cheap fix.
I recommend you get an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the noise location and then find a good service shop to give you an estimate. I hope I'm wrong because what I just decribed will not be a cheap fix.
04-16-2012, 10:37 AM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
not sure if the 525 has seperate belt for the ac, but you could take off the ac belt and see if the noise goes away. also take off the main belt and spin the accessories by hand to see which make noise.
04-16-2012, 01:04 PM
#4
Members
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 525i mystic blue / black
concept one staggered wheels
19x8.5
19x10.5
i have the same problem on my 07 525i
i hear the whining noise when ac is on not when the ac is off
would this be covered under warrenty?
i hear the whining noise when ac is on not when the ac is off
would this be covered under warrenty?
04-16-2012, 05:34 PM
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
^^^Depends on how your warranty is written. Unless specifically covered, bearing failure can be considered "normal wear and tear".
04-18-2012, 08:34 PM
#6
Members
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 525i mystic blue / black
concept one staggered wheels
19x8.5
19x10.5
Im still covered under the original 6 year warranty does anyone know if bmw will cover it
04-20-2012, 01:11 PM
#7
Members
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545i 2004, SMG, Sport, Nav, Logic-7, Bluetooth phone retrofit
It cost about $2600 to replace my AC compressor last year. I hope it's a tensioner pulley on the main drive belt, but if it is, you'd better fix it NOW because really bad things will happen if your main drive belt fails.
07-19-2012, 05:32 AM
#8
Members
Thread Starter
Update: I finally got around to getting this item fixed. My non-BMW mechanic replaced 2 tensioner pulleys and 1 idle pulley. Apparently he had to tear up the AC unit to get to replace the parts. I had original OEM parts put in, the cost (parts+labor) was $420. The sound appears to be gone.
The mechanic said the other stuff in the area (such as the drive belt, I assume) are in good shape.
The mechanic said the other stuff in the area (such as the drive belt, I assume) are in good shape.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Guitarjon
E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods
3
04-11-2015 04:24 AM