Thoughts On Engine Whine

[rantarM3]

Yesterday I noticed that my car was making an odd whining sound and thought the power steering fluid was low. I checked it and it was fine so I undertook some basic diagnosis. The sound is a whining/whirling sound that increases with engine speed but is independent or road speed. The car can be in neutral stopped and the sound is quite apparent while revving the engine. It seems to not be dependent on whether the steering is turned and is relatively loud. It almost sounds like the Harrop kit but not quite as loud (and yes, I checked to make sure no one installed one without my knowing).

Car is a late 2011 E90 M3 with almost 29,000 miles. Never had an issue before and I've done all maintenance (above and beyond the BMW maintenance schedule).

My inclination is that the power steering pump is on its way to car part heaven. Any thoughts or suggestions? If it is the PS pump and it fails, are there any other potential side effects other than just loss of power steering?

I'd like to have a good idea of what the problem is before taking it to the dealer.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Rupes]

I have this too, but only when the car is cold. Does it go away quickly once the car is warmed up?

[schwin]

Does it sound like this?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1040230

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I have this too, but only when the car is cold. Does it go away quickly once the car is warmed up?

No, it is always there irrespective of engine temperature or miles driven.

Originally Posted by schwin

Does it sound like this?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1040230

No, that is a different sound than what I have. The video has more of a squealing sound and is quite loud at idle. The sound I'm experiencing is not noticeable at engine idle speed but definitely so as RPM's climb past 2k. The characteristic of the sound is also different, more like a whirring sound. I'll try to take a video/audio clip, and if the sound is audible in the clip, I'll post it.

[Beemdog]

The idler pulley on belt tensioners have been known to lose a bearing occasionally. This could create a whining/whirring sound.

[mtfinger]

I also had a whine coming from my car under "spirited driving" situations.

After looking into it, I determined that the whine was coming from my wife in the passenger seat.

[808MGuy]

I also have a whine similar to yours but if I shift into neutral and rev, I don't hear anything. Mine whine is typically heard only when I'm light on the accelerator. If I just give it a little more gas, the whine goes away. Still haven't figured this one out.

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by NoM3Yet

I also had a whine coming from my car under "spirited driving" situations.

After looking into it, I determined that the whine was coming from my wife in the passenger seat.

Amen!

[schwin]

Damn! I just ordered two idler pulleys and two belts

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by NoM3Yet

I also had a whine coming from my car under "spirited driving" situations.

After looking into it, I determined that the whine was coming from my wife in the passenger seat.

My wife hates to ride in the M3 and I can't remember when the last time was that she rode in it with me. So the whining is definitely not from the passenger or rear seats.

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I also have a whine similar to yours but if I shift into neutral and rev, I don't hear anything. Mine whine is typically heard only when I'm light on the accelerator. If I just give it a little more gas, the whine goes away. Still haven't figured this one out.

Took a video today:

http://vid438.photobucket.com/albums...ngineWhine.mp4

The whine is clearly audible; made an appointment for next week but it would be nice to know what the issue is before heading over.

[schwin]

Power steering pump?

[TommyLights]

Might have gotten drunk and forgot you installed a supercharger.

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by schwin

Power steering pump?

The more I drive the car and listen carefully it sure seems like it's the PS pump. Sound seems to be originating from that side of the engine bay. Any idea how involved of a repair it is? It looks like a pretty tight fit in there and may have to remove colant lines to get the job done.

Originally Posted by Tomz_M3

Might have gotten drunk and forgot you installed a supercharger.

I wish that was the case.

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

The idler pulley on belt tensioners have been known to lose a bearing occasionally. This could create a whining/whirring sound.

I got a call today and the diagnosis is...idler pulley. Part is on order and should be installed tomorrow. I'm very glad it was just that and not the PS pump.

[808MGuy]

Stupid question. Which one is the idler pulley? Looking on RealOEM and there's several pulleys but none of them are called idler pulley. Is this a simple DIY. I've been wanting to do all the belts, tensioners and related items for awhile now.

[schwin]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Stupid question. Which one is the idler pulley? Looking on RealOEM and there's several pulleys but none of them are called idler pulley. Is this a simple DIY. I've been wanting to do all the belts, tensioners and related items for awhile now.

Just got mine fixed other day at my indie. It was roughly an hour job w two new belts and idler pulley. I assume the longest part is taking all the stuff off and putting it back. I got mine at ecs tuning, just look for the OEM label. I'm at 57k miles while the OP is at 29k miles so there's no telling of how long this stuff lasts. I've seen people replacing these at 100k for the first time

[schwin]

Here's the link http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3-...ulley/ES21817/

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Stupid question. Which one is the idler pulley? Looking on RealOEM and there's several pulleys but none of them are called idler pulley. Is this a simple DIY. I've been wanting to do all the belts, tensioners and related items for awhile now.

Any pulley that doesn't directly attach to a belt-driven accessory (alternator, PS pump, etc.) can be called an idler pulley. In this case, the pulley which is part of the tensioner mechanism is an idler; however, the tensioner and the idler pulley are sold as separate parts. The #11287835422 tensioner is used on the A/C belt and the #11287835417 tensioner is used on the water pump belt. A link to an ECS Tuning page above shows an idler pulley.

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Any pulley that doesn't directly attach to a belt-driven accessory (alternator, PS pump, etc.) can be called an idler pulley. In this case, the pulley which is part of the tensioner mechanism is an idler; however, the tensioner and the idler pulley are sold as separate parts. The #11287835422 tensioner is used on the A/C belt and the #11287835417 tensioner is used on the water pump belt. A link to an ECS Tuning page above shows an idler pulley.

I think the pulley being replaced is not attached to any tensioners; it is the pulley that sits nearest to the oil filter housing and the water pump pulley (part no. 11287841531). I'll confirm when I get the car back.

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by rantarM3

I think the pulley being replaced is not attached to any tensioners; it is the pulley that sits nearest to the oil filter housing and the water pump pulley (part no. 11287841531). I'll confirm when I get the car back.

Gotcha... the deflection pulley on the opposite side of the belt loop from the tensioner pulley.

[808MGuy]

I'm at 83k miles and just started to hear the noise recently. I'm thinking I might just do all the belts, pulleys, and tensioners all at once. Looks like ECS has a kit.

[rantarM3]

Got the car back and all is well. They replaced the deflection pulley - part number 11-28-7-841-531. As for the proucedure, they removed the fan and PS & AC belt, started the engine to isolate the bad pulley, hand spun each idler pulleys and confirmed the problem pulley. Grease was found to be leaking out of the bearing. Quite happy with the work that was done.