Engine noise ( n55 bad pcv valve. Valve cover)

E46toE90 · 10-16-2017, 07:45 AM

Turned out to be the valve cover. N55 has a built in pcv valve that goes bad. If you have this noise or similar, remove oil cap while engine is on and noise is happening. If the noise goes away instantly once you remove the cap then the pcv valve is bad.

I will upload pics of valve cover job in a few with other links to help others.

E46toE90 · 11-07-2017, 09:30 PM

No help? I ended up doing belt tensioner and pulleys. Noise is still there.

Johnny Boost · 11-07-2017, 10:50 PM

Valve cover maybe?

Check out this thread:

N55 Engine making a loud chirp chirp chirp sound? http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139795

Peen · 11-07-2017, 10:55 PM

Valve cover 100%. Been there done that, along with tons of other people. You have air blowing past the main seal, caused by too much crank case pressure because the PCV is not working.

E46toE90 · 11-08-2017, 05:49 PM

That thread says rear seal? So why do you guys say valve cover?

Mikaeldarer · 11-08-2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46toE90

That thread says rear seal? So why do you guys say valve cover?

PCV that is built into VC fails and then you get the noisy front main seal.

Peen · 11-08-2017, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46toE90

That thread says rear seal? So why do you guys say valve cover?

Because the PCV system fails in the valve cover, you have too much crankcase pressure and the weakest link is the rear main seal. Air has to go somewhere.

When I had this noise, I replaced rear main seal instead of valve cover. Lasted about 24hrs before it squealed again.

Replaced valve cover long time ago, and squeal never came back.

Open hood, when it start's squealing, remove oil filler cap. Squeal will magically go away.

E46toE90 · 11-08-2017, 09:14 PM

With all the research I've done why have I yet to find this. Once I typed valve cover noise I found it lol but I would have never guessed that.

Took filler cap off and yep sounds gone. Much appreciated thanks guys

dleccord · 11-09-2017, 02:31 AM

how hard is it to replace the valve cover on these cars? also at what mileage?

weehe126 · 11-09-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleccord

how hard is it to replace the valve cover on these cars? also at what mileage?

4-5 hour for first time, 3 hours once you know what to do. My PCV valve went bad around 70k miles.

dleccord · 11-10-2017, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

4-5 hour for first time, 3 hours once you know what to do. My PCV valve went bad around 70k miles.

Did u get a similar noise too? Also any leaks around valve cover at 70k?

weehe126 · 11-10-2017, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleccord

Did u get a similar noise too? Also any leaks around valve cover at 70k?

My original VC did not leak. I got a chirping/similar sound to the video when the PCV valve went bad. Unfortunately the new VC gasket leaked after only 20k miles.

sy2767 · 11-13-2017, 08:33 AM

How does this affect the front main seal if theres air leaking around it?

weehe126 · 11-13-2017, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sy2767

How does this affect the front main seal if theres air leaking around it?

If air is leaking past a seal it isn't doing a good job sealing anymore... If you let it go long enough you will need to replace the seal.

sy2767 · 11-13-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

If air is leaking past a seal it isn't doing a good job sealing anymore... If you let it go long enough you will need to replace the seal.

So the air leaking past the seal creates an oil leak as I would expect.

moneybimmer · 11-20-2017, 08:02 PM

how did you fix it finally ?

E46toE90 · 11-21-2017, 09:09 AM

Replaced valve cover this weekend very tedious job wouldn't recommend for newbs. Noise is gone and car is actually idling way better.

DrivenByE30 · 09-18-2020, 11:08 PM

Easiest Job:

Cost $15
Time: 15 minutes

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1758775

You are welcome.

10-16-2017, 07:45 AM	#1
E46toE90 Sparkling Graphite Metallic FTW 151 Rep 3,212 Posts Drives: lci m-sport e90 n55 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: the bronx iTrader: (12)	Engine noise ( n55 bad pcv valve. Valve cover) Turned out to be the valve cover. N55 has a built in pcv valve that goes bad. If you have this noise or similar, remove oil cap while engine is on and noise is happening. If the noise goes away instantly once you remove the cap then the pcv valve is bad. I will upload pics of valve cover job in a few with other links to help others. __________________ Last edited by E46toE90; 11-21-2017 at 09:12 AM..
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11-07-2017, 09:30 PM	#2
E46toE90 Sparkling Graphite Metallic FTW 151 Rep 3,212 Posts Drives: lci m-sport e90 n55 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: the bronx iTrader: (12)	No help? I ended up doing belt tensioner and pulleys. Noise is still there.
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11-07-2017, 10:50 PM	#3
Johnny Boost Colonel 324 Rep 2,014 Posts Drives: '21 M850i GC Join Date: May 2013 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	Valve cover maybe? Check out this thread: N55 Engine making a loud chirp chirp chirp sound? http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139795 __________________ WedgePerformance E40 MHD \| Performance Exhaust Mod \| BMS DP \| Vibrant 1790 \| BMS Intake \| VRSF CP \| xHP Stage 3 Michelin PSS \| M3 Control Arms LUX v4 LEDs \| Shadowline Grills \| Lip Spoiler
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11-07-2017, 10:55 PM	#4
Peen Private First Class 41 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Valve cover 100%. Been there done that, along with tons of other people. You have air blowing past the main seal, caused by too much crank case pressure because the PCV is not working. __________________ 2011 335i / MHD E85 BEF / JB4 ISO / xHP Stage 3 TCU / VRSF Catless DP / Phoenix CP / YCW Coilovers's 6K-18K / M3 Control Arms / Enkei Raijin 18' Wheels / Michellin PSS
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11-08-2017, 05:49 PM	#5
E46toE90 Sparkling Graphite Metallic FTW 151 Rep 3,212 Posts Drives: lci m-sport e90 n55 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: the bronx iTrader: (12)	That thread says rear seal? So why do you guys say valve cover?
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11-08-2017, 09:14 PM	#8
E46toE90 Sparkling Graphite Metallic FTW 151 Rep 3,212 Posts Drives: lci m-sport e90 n55 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: the bronx iTrader: (12)	With all the research I've done why have I yet to find this. Once I typed valve cover noise I found it lol but I would have never guessed that. Took filler cap off and yep sounds gone. Much appreciated thanks guys
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11-09-2017, 02:31 AM	#9
dleccord Captain 99 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i E90 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nelson, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	how hard is it to replace the valve cover on these cars? also at what mileage?
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11-13-2017, 08:33 AM	#13
sy2767 Major 145 Rep 1,132 Posts Drives: 2013 x5 Join Date: May 2010 Location: manitoba iTrader: (1)	How does this affect the front main seal if theres air leaking around it?
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11-20-2017, 08:02 PM	#16
moneybimmer BMW is life 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328Xi Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Winnipeg iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328xi [10.00]	how did you fix it finally ? __________________ BMW is life
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11-21-2017, 09:09 AM	#17
E46toE90 Sparkling Graphite Metallic FTW 151 Rep 3,212 Posts Drives: lci m-sport e90 n55 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: the bronx iTrader: (12)	Replaced valve cover this weekend very tedious job wouldn't recommend for newbs. Noise is gone and car is actually idling way better. __________________
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09-18-2020, 11:08 PM	#18
DrivenByE30 Brigadier General 592 Rep 3,870 Posts Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal iTrader: (0)	Easiest Job: Cost $15 Time: 15 minutes https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1758775 You are welcome. __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<
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