[mr_sarge]

Hi,


I posted this in the N52 sub-forum but didn't get real help.. Not sure if that was the right place to post it so I will try here.

I have a strange whining noise coming from the engine. It only do it what the engine start to be hot. The sound seem to come directly under the oil filter. I have no check engine light, no code or shadow code. I've tested the water pump and it's not making noise. The sound doesn't change with the RPM. turning the steering wheel doesn't change it either. My A/C is off. My two VANOS solenoid where replaced this summer.

Check those video to hear it.

Any idea what it could be?

EDIT: Problem solved. It was the oil filter, see my last post.

[roundle]

Sounds awful.

I'd probably unplug the water pump for a few seconds to see if that makes it stop.

[matrix76]

Sounds like a spun bearing,

[AlanAZ]

Idler or tension pulleys for the serpentine belt? The tensioner is located directly beneath the oil filter. You didn't mention mileage, mine are gone at 80K miles, but don't sound like that, yet.

Check the DIY for changing the belt and pulleys on how to test them.

[queensfield]

+1. My bet is also on one of the pullies for the serpentine belt. The bearings usually go and one of the pulley starts to make that kind of a noise.

Do you observe any wobble as the belt turns? To be sure it is a pulley, you will have to take the belt off and then turn the pullies one at a time with hand. If the bearing has gone bad, you will feel some resistance and hear some humming.

[ENINTY]

Agreed with the pulley noise. Take the belt off and check the idler and tensioner pullies.

[mr_sarge]

Ok, I just removed the belt to check the pulley. They all seem to be ok. The tensionner pulley run really smooth.

I took a long screwdriver and used it as a stethoscope to try to find the source of the whining. I'll upload a picture to show where I've checked.

EDIT: here's a video of the pullies running:

[mr_sarge]

Here's the picture. all red circle show where I can't hear it. Orange circle show where I barely hear it. Green circle: It's really there !

[mr_sarge]

Originally Posted by roundle

Sounds awful.

I'd probably unplug the water pump for a few seconds to see if that makes it stop.

I've run the water pump test with the engine turned off and it's not whining. But I don't know if it spin as fast in this venting procedure...

[AlanAZ]

The tensionner pulley run really smooth.

If it spins freely for a long time, that means it's shot, it's counter intuitive. Did you watch the videos in the DIY to see what bad pulleys look and sound like, compared to a new one??

And it looks like you have the dreaded oil housing gasket leak - see the DIY sub-forum for info on that.

[mr_sarge]

Originally Posted by AlanAZ

If it spins freely for a long time, that means it's shot, it's counter intuitive. Did you watch the videos in the DIY to see what bad pulleys look and sound like, compared to a new one.

I checked it. The pulley was spinning freely but don't have any play. I'll buy a new one to be safe. But for now, I repacked it with bearing grease to see if it would change the sound but did nothing. the pulley don't spin freely anymore, it have the stiffness of a new one.

And as you can see on my picture, If I check for sound directly on the tensionner braket with a stethoscope I hear nothing.

[queensfield]

I see a little up and down movement on the top part of your belt in your video. Perhaps tighten the tensioner a bit more if you can and see if anything changes with the sound. The spring in the tensioner might have become loose causing belt slippage (and loose), which will create noise.

A few other thoughts to consider: 1. Do your hear anything if you feel the alternator? 2. Loose engine mounts? They usually don't loosen, but you never know.

[mr_sarge]

Originally Posted by queensfield

I see a little up and down movement on the top part of your belt in your video. Perhaps tighten the tensioner a bit more if you can and see if anything changes with the sound. The spring in the tensioner might have become loose causing belt slippage (and loose), which will create noise.

A few other thoughts to consider: 1. Do your hear anything if you feel the alternator? 2. Loose engine mounts? They usually don't loosen, but you never know.

I tried to tight the tensioner but didn't change anything. Alternator and sterring pumo make no sound at all. For the engine mount, I don't think it would make thaawfull sound...

I think I will have no choice but to have to the dealer...

Thanks

[queensfield]

Perhaps it is worth trying to replace the tensioner or idler pulley. When the belt is off, you can feel and spin all other pulleys as well.

[AlanAZ]

The pulley was spinning freely but don't have any play. I'll buy a new one to be safe.

Replace both pulleys and the belt if it hasn't been replaced recently. If you buy them on-line, you can get them for about 1/2 the price of the dealer. Use RealOEM to find the part numbers.

[mr_sarge]

So, a little follow up. I just came back from the dealer. I was right, it was really coming from the oil filter case. The oil filter was defective. Some filter paper was torn and the oil passing through was making the noise!!

My oil change was done this summer so the oil filter was on warranty, it didn't cost me anything and they replaced it.

Thanks all for your input. I will leave my video online for future reference.

[AlanAZ]

Makes sense, sorry I was pointing you in the wrong direction. GL.

[queensfield]

My apologies too. Didn't think of the oil filter eventhough your diagnosis did show high vibration felt on the oil filter cap. But if the oil filter was torn, then shouldn't oil be changed as well?- just as a precaution, since whatever particles and other garbage that the filter caught may have mixed in with the clean oil. Don't mean to scare you, but the thought crossed my mind.

[mr_sarge]

I had less than 5000km (~3100miles) since the oil change. The tech told me there was no problem with the oil since the new filter will catch anything that passed through the old one.

[rainbozy]

why I didn't see this thread before changing my tensioner and serpentine belt, Vanos...
This was exactly what I've got

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=818967

[mr_sarge]

Sorry for you!

My Vanos had been replaced not so long ago so I knew it was not that.

The sound was really coming from the oil filter housing and not anywhere else.

[jr_e90@wtnet.de]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-1cLjDA0BM

i think i've got the same problem.
tomorow my oilfilter will be changed