tekygeek

Hi Gruppe,

Has anyone experienced a "vacuum pump noise" that is a growling noise coming from the front of the engine while idling or under load (such as taking off from 1st gear or turning the wheel in a parking lot). Mine is an '04 with 6-speed manual, 545i (N62). I bought the car with 42k miles a year ago and it has had this noise since then, now with 56k miles. I do have the CPO warranty.

Took it to the dealer for inspection a year ago this April while under original factory warranty. Here's how they documented it:

"Verified customer concern, inspected power system, nothing abnormal, fluid level is fine, checked fault memory, no faults stored in DME module, checked and compared to other N62 engines with manual tranny, noticed noise from vacuum pump area are exactly the same on the others. Consulted foreman, no repair can be made since the vehicle is operated as normal and no faults stored in drivetrain system module DME."

The dealer also told me they had the West Coast Service Adviser stop in to look at the car and it was this person's call to consider it normal. Additionally off the record, they said even if they replace it, the noise is likely to come back. [Isn't that like admitting a fault in the design?] As a result of this person's decree, the dealer can't do anything more for me and have advised I raise the issue with BMW NA.

I called BMW NA and filed a claim middle of last year I think. They told me on the phone that they probably wouldn't look into it if the West Coast Service Advisor was already involved because that is their next step. And sure enough, I never got a call back.

I still think this is unacceptable so I'm going to try filing a new claim. The noise has been consistent and has not developed much since last year. Just really annoying and is always on my mind. I'm not one to just accept noises like this, not to mention everyone comments on it "hey, you hear that?" Grrr.

If anyone else has experienced this, I would appreciate your insight/advise.

- Jeff

bluelightning3

I am experiencing the same thing and its annoying the hell out of me. i was also told the same thing, that it wasn't necessary to replace. well im going to do something about it. others please share your stories.

DrLev99

I get a howling/groan from the power steering pump when I make turns into parking spaces or long u-turns. I got the same line from the dealer...cannot reproduce. What a joke.

sessionmc

I got the same noise. It probably is normal. Just put the music on before u pull off?

bzq

I go this same , but i oam on 99% sure that this sound came not from vaccum punp but from Air Con Kompressor. It is just under vaccum pump, on first time I also thought taht it came from pump, but after when I taken stethoscope I iam sure It came from AC . It sounds like this when idling : grrrrrrrrr -normall - grrrrr.

bluelightning3

that's what i'm going to do next is take a scope to it because i think its annoying when i'm at a light, i feel like everyone can hear it.

porsche911targa

No noises whatsoever from mine.

turboawd

i get the same noise when turning at low speed, and i think it comes from the hydraulic valve body(active roll system), which is mounted just below and in front of where the passenger's feet rest.

dealer told me the noise was normal. figures.

turboawd

now you just jinxed yourself.