[EdmJunky]

It makes this weird loud whining noise that is clearly heard when I have the radio off and the windows down, and it must be audible to anyone standing near my car when I start driving. It becomes a higher pitched whining noise as I accelerate but you can't really notice it at higher speeds most likely due to the road noise. It pretty much sounds like an electric car, much like the noise a remote control toy car makes when its moving. Needless to say it bothers me a lot that my car sounds like a big pussy. Anyone else's e90's sound like this? Any ideas what it could be.

[babek1]

Originally Posted by EdmJunky

It makes this weird loud whining noise that is clearly heard when I have the radio off and the windows down, and it must be audible to anyone standing near my car when I start driving. It becomes a higher pitched whining noise as I accelerate but you can't really notice it at higher speeds most likely due to the road noise. It pretty much sounds like an electric car, much like the noise a remote control toy car makes when its moving. Needless to say it bothers me a lot that my car sounds like a big pussy. Anyone else's e90's sound like this? Any ideas what it could be.

Honestly hard to tell, are all of your fluids and other maintenance up-to-date? Could be caused by several things.

It might just be worthwhile to take it to a BMW specialist indy shop to have the whole car inspected, with close attention paid towards to the whining noise. If the noise is as audible as you describe then I'm sure that they'll be able to pinpoint the issue.

[ajaye]

I've had a very faint whistle/hiss/whine since I got mine in October that I've finally pinpointed to the power steering system somewhere (about 90% sure). Most people that ride in the car don't notice it even if I point it out, but its driving me crazy.

Last month I thought it was getting louder, after a few weeks it got ridiculous, loud whine eventually joined with metallic ticking noise (not lifters) Turned out the alternator was toast. Replaced the alternator pulley with a new one first which did precisely nothing; found a brand new (not reman) Bosch 180 amp for $413 shipped on Amazon. They are back up to $480 now for some reason so I guess I lucked out.

Definitely check the alternator. If you load it down and still see 15.1+ volts, you're probably having the same issue I was. By chance has your factory battery been replaced, and if so was it registered/programmed? Just curious.

[EdmJunky]

Originally Posted by babek1

Honestly hard to tell, are all of your fluids and other maintenance up-to-date? Could be caused by several things.

It might just be worthwhile to take it to a BMW specialist indy shop to have the whole car inspected, with close attention paid towards to the whining noise. If the noise is as audible as you describe then I'm sure that they'll be able to pinpoint the issue.

I do know the coolant and windshield washer fluids need to be topped off. The rest of the fluid levels are fine but are probably due for a change. Haven't changed any fluids since I got the car back in september/5000 miles ago. I'll def be looking into this.

Originally Posted by ajaye

I've had a very faint whistle/hiss/whine since I got mine in October that I've finally pinpointed to the power steering system somewhere (about 90% sure). Most people that ride in the car don't notice it even if I point it out, but its driving me crazy.

Last month I thought it was getting louder, after a few weeks it got ridiculous, loud whine eventually joined with metallic ticking noise (not lifters) Turned out the alternator was toast. Replaced the alternator pulley with a new one first which did precisely nothing; found a brand new (not reman) Bosch 180 amp for $413 shipped on Amazon. They are back up to $480 now for some reason so I guess I lucked out.

Definitely check the alternator. If you load it down and still see 15.1+ volts, you're probably having the same issue I was. By chance has your factory battery been replaced, and if so was it registered/programmed? Just curious.

Where is the alternator located on our motors? The sound kind of sounds like its coming from the passenger side of things but I'm not 100% sure. No ticking noise or anything that's for sure, just the whining noise. Unless I'm not paying close enough attention. I'll turn it on and just listen to it a bit later tonight and see if I can make out exactly where its coming from.

[ajaye]

Originally Posted by EdmJunky

I do know the coolant and windshield washer fluids need to be topped off. The rest of the fluid levels are fine but are probably due for a change. Haven't changed any fluids since I got the car back in september/5000 miles ago. I'll def be looking into this.



Where is the alternator located on our motors? The sound kind of sounds like its coming from the passenger side of things but I'm not 100% sure. No ticking noise or anything that's for sure, just the whining noise. Unless I'm not paying close enough attention. I'll turn it on and just listen to it a bit later tonight and see if I can make out exactly where its coming from.

That's where mine sounds like its coming from when I'm in the car, which lead me to replace the PCV parts thinking the hose from the valve cover to the intake manifold may have cracked, but no dice. The alternator is under the intake hose, to the right of the belt tensioner when standing in front of the car. Its damn near impossible to stand over the engine while its running and really pin-point noises unless it gets really bad/loud like my alternator had gotten.

Invest in one of these. You can at least rule stuff out easily with it. I got the $4 one from harbor freight, it works but unless your head resembles a giant cucumber it won't fit well at all.
http://www.autozone.com/tools-and-eq...ope/70131_0_0/

[EdmJunky]

Originally Posted by ajaye

That's where mine sounds like its coming from when I'm in the car, which lead me to replace the PCV parts thinking the hose from the valve cover to the intake manifold may have cracked, but no dice. The alternator is under the intake hose, to the right of the belt tensioner when standing in front of the car. Its damn near impossible to stand over the engine while its running and really pin-point noises unless it gets really bad/loud like my alternator had gotten.

Invest in one of these. You can at least rule stuff out easily with it. I got the $4 one from harbor freight, it works but unless your head resembles a giant cucumber it won't fit well at all.
http://www.autozone.com/tools-and-eq...ope/70131_0_0/

Thanks for the info man, that stethoscope is def going in my toolbox. Also now that you mentioned where the alternator is I feel like such an idiot, its literally right there in front of my face when looking at the front of the car lol.. So just yesterday my compressor took a dump on me, the pulley failed and completely came off. Luckily before this happened the pulley started wobbling and making a knocking noise so I was pulled over, hood up, standing there looking at it wobble right as it decided to come off. My GF was in the driver seat ready to shut the engine off on my command should it had been necessary, and boy was I thankful I had her there. So I guess I lucked out on that, nothing damaged other than the compressor. It could have been that compressor pulley making the whining noise as it was starting to fail, this would also make sense because that's the area where I thought the sound was coming from, but I won't know until I get that compressor replaced and start the engine again. Anyway, this brings me to my next question. I'm looking at buying the denso replacement compressor, they are recommending that I also replace the a/c expansion valve and the a/c receiver drier. My question is, do I NEED to replace those things as well? Or can I just buy the compressor alone.

[ajaye]

Originally Posted by EdmJunky

Thanks for the info man, that stethoscope is def going in my toolbox. Also now that you mentioned where the alternator is I feel like such an idiot, its literally right there in front of my face when looking at the front of the car lol.. So just yesterday my compressor took a dump on me, the pulley failed and completely came off. Luckily before this happened the pulley started wobbling and making a knocking noise so I was pulled over, hood up, standing there looking at it wobble right as it decided to come off. My GF was in the driver seat ready to shut the engine off on my command should it had been necessary, and boy was I thankful I had her there. So I guess I lucked out on that, nothing damaged other than the compressor. It could have been that compressor pulley making the whining noise as it was starting to fail, this would also make sense because that's the area where I thought the sound was coming from, but I won't know until I get that compressor replaced and start the engine again. Anyway, this brings me to my next question. I'm looking at buying the denso replacement compressor, they are recommending that I also replace the a/c expansion valve and the a/c receiver drier. My question is, do I NEED to replace those things as well? Or can I just buy the compressor alone.

Yeah I've been dreading this being a possibility for what my noise is too. I've been working on cars for a long time, but a/c is one thing I never really messed with. When I built something fast I deleted the a/c system anyway, and my last daily driver hadn't had a working a/c since like 2009 lol.

I think its one of those deals where if there is an issue with either of the other components they suggested you replace, it will just destroy the compressor. But definitely don't take my word; hopefully someone that knows more about the climate control can chime in because I'd like to know as well. Keep us posted on how this turns out please.