habbyguy

I'd guess you could reach the turbo housing with a mechanic's stethoscope, and (assuming the whine happens if you stab the throttle in Park) you should figure out pretty quick if it really IS a (or both...) turbo(s). It would be a very well-spent $6.

Grubster

No go. The car sounds perfect when you "Rev the car" in Neutral or Park. I'm assuming the Turbo's only engage when you are actually moving, i would need a shop with a DYNO to do something like that.

habbyguy

Makes sense.

FWIW, I did work out a cheesy and cheap option for things like this. I got a cheap FM modulator (the kind you use to hook up an iPod to your FM radio), and a clip-on contact microphone (look for one built for a guitar). Total cost about $20 IIRC. Then plug the microphone into the modulator, tune your car's radio to the modulator's (adjustable) frequency, clip the microphone onto something you want to listen to, and you're off to the races.

Grubster

Thanks, just not sure what this does for me. Boost is missing and noise present. If it's not from the turbo, what else could be wrong? Seems like I'd need much more advanced diagnostic, pressure test, boost test etc..

habbyguy

If you find the component making the noise, you've found the problem. My hack solution is essentially a mechanic's stethoscope you can use while the car is in motion.

Grubster

All, I appreciate the help troubleshooting. It turns out I didn't do a good enough job describing the Sound. What i called a whistling, was really a "Whirring" sound. Turn out the sound was indeed coming from my Turbo's. After getting validation from 2 shops, 1 Indy and a BMW dealer, I drove the car home, emptied it all out, got the title and drove it directly to Carmax. They offered me a $1k over CarVana and I was happy to get it out of my life. If the tdidn't work, I was ready to drive it directly into Lake Michigan ( I live near Chicago!)

The stress of the N54 platform has been enough! I've owned an N54 as my daily driver since June of 2007 when I bought my near new 2007 335i Sport with 6spd with 2k miles on it. In 2012 I replaced it for a more family oriented car, my now sold 2008 535i sport with 53k (Still Under CPO Warranty and 6 Year Maintenance Warranty), up to 95k when I sold it last Friday. I really loved the car, even driving it to the dealer to sell it, it drove great. I was not about to deal with the hassle of a local sale and explaining what was wrong with it. CarMax didn't test drive it nor did they find any problem with it that they shared. The amount of issues that basically never stopped, it's just ENOUGH! I don't know if and when I will even consider another BMW in the future.

If anyone needs a set of wheels, I have an extra set of staggered 18" Rims, but one rim is cracked, so you would get 3 good rims! I'd sell them for $400!

donpb

I feel you there. I got rid of my old BMW because limping it alive wasn't worth the hassle, and so off to the scrap yard it went. I did not abandon BMW though. I bought a newer one and couldn't be happier.

Grubster

What is your new ride?

donpb

2016 320i (F30). I own multiple BMWs. I had three. I still own my e60.