Strange Noise; Help me Diagnose!

Northern_E91 · 01-05-2023, 09:34 AM

2012 E91 with N52

I noticed a strange noise coming from my engine bay, video link below:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pOo3dVgF4KA

The vehicle has been running normally with no glaring issues/symptoms to report aside from some rough starts during periods of extreme cold (-40 Deg)

This sound only occurs when I'm on the throttle and it's consistent, meaning it doesn't get any louder as I accelerate, but it also disappears at idle. No check engine light but I was able to read the following error code:

2A9F (P0369) - Camshaft Sensor, exhaust, synchronization

I'm going to clean my VANOS solenoid after work but I don't think that a plugged VANOS and/or failing camshaft sensor would cause this type of noise??

Any thoughts are appreciated.

BluesDriver · 01-05-2023, 02:14 PM

Sounds like a bearing going bad. Take the belt off and start spinning pulleys to see which one makes noise or spins too freely. My guess it's either the idler or tensioner pulley.

bmwbob89 · 01-05-2023, 02:55 PM

Yes it sounds like a belt/tensioner/pulley or power steering noise. Remove the belt and see if the noise goes away. if so you can then start to pin it down.

Northern_E91 · 01-05-2023, 03:29 PM

Thanks fellas.

I'll have some time this weekend to remove the belt and investigate further.

Northern_E91 · 01-07-2023, 09:50 AM

Ended up being a collapsed oil filter making the whining noise.

I'm very surprised that this happened to a Mann filter... Here's to hoping that this isn't a symptom of another problem!

Cheers

01-05-2023, 09:34 AM	#1
Northern_E91 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Strange Noise; Help me Diagnose! 2012 E91 with N52 I noticed a strange noise coming from my engine bay, video link below: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pOo3dVgF4KA The vehicle has been running normally with no glaring issues/symptoms to report aside from some rough starts during periods of extreme cold (-40 Deg) This sound only occurs when I'm on the throttle and it's consistent, meaning it doesn't get any louder as I accelerate, but it also disappears at idle. No check engine light but I was able to read the following error code: 2A9F (P0369) - Camshaft Sensor, exhaust, synchronization I'm going to clean my VANOS solenoid after work but I don't think that a plugged VANOS and/or failing camshaft sensor would cause this type of noise?? Any thoughts are appreciated. Last edited by Northern_E91; 01-05-2023 at 09:40 AM..
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01-05-2023, 02:14 PM	#2
BluesDriver Private 16 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a bearing going bad. Take the belt off and start spinning pulleys to see which one makes noise or spins too freely. My guess it's either the idler or tensioner pulley.
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01-05-2023, 02:55 PM	#3
bmwbob89 First Lieutenant 150 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 07 328XI 04 325XI 740 88 M5 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Yes it sounds like a belt/tensioner/pulley or power steering noise. Remove the belt and see if the noise goes away. if so you can then start to pin it down.
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01-05-2023, 03:29 PM	#4
Northern_E91 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks fellas. I'll have some time this weekend to remove the belt and investigate further.
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01-07-2023, 09:50 AM	#5
Northern_E91 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Ended up being a collapsed oil filter making the whining noise. I'm very surprised that this happened to a Mann filter... Here's to hoping that this isn't a symptom of another problem! Cheers
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