N54 Weird squeaking noise

MtechX2 · 10-26-2019, 03:36 PM

I'm trying to pinpoint the source of this noise, it's not a belt or a pulley it sounds like a vacuum leak(to me) I'll post a video link so you can hear the sound.
Started happening after I upgraded the pvc valve from esc tuning. The nice aluminum upgraded one.
Brakes feel a tad soft and fluid is good, I'm gonna upload the video to YouTube then post a link

MtechX2 · 10-26-2019, 03:41 PM

Here's the link to the video, I'm thinking it's the vacuum pump but again, I just replaced the pcv and I'm about to go check the seals on it. The strange thing is, it sounds like the noise is in the front of the engine not the rear. Dunno, just going to check the pvc seals and see if it helps.

bimmerzeit · 10-27-2019, 08:33 PM

How old is the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys? Kind of sounds like a pulley or alternator bearing squealing!

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-27-2019, 08:36 PM

I would start by running the car with no belt to see if noise is still there.

MtechX2 · 10-28-2019, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerzeit

How old is the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys? Kind of sounds like a pulley or alternator bearing squealing!

Never replaced since I got the car, can't I put water on it or something like that?

MtechX2 · 10-28-2019, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I would start by running the car with no belt to see if noise is still there.

Well it only happens when warm so that's a bad idea

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-28-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtechX2

Well it only happens when warm so that's a bad idea

How so? Warm up the car, take off the belt and go for a 5 min ride. You will know for sure if it's belt /pulley related or not.

MtechX2 · 10-28-2019, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtechX2

Well it only happens when warm so that's a bad idea

How so? Warm up the car, take off the belt and go for a 5 min ride. You will know for sure if it's belt /pulley related or not.

Takes some time to do things like that I don't really have a garage.
The sound is resonating through the exhaust. I'm about to take it to a dealership see what they say.
I brought the car to a Indy mechanic who has been in the game for 50years and he was blown away from what the sound was.
Still looking for the source of the sound.

MtechX2 · 10-29-2019, 09:59 PM

It's not the belt, took it off and went for a drive still squeaking. It's something with the pvc leaking oil into the intake. You can hear the squeaking sound under the car and through the exhaust.
After cleaning the intercooler the sound has died down a bit but is still there. It sounds like a tea kettle lol

SpaceCoupE92 · 04-26-2022, 10:40 AM

Did you ever end up finding the source of the problem? I'm having the same issue and I just had my valve cover changed not too long ago.

10-26-2019, 03:36 PM	#1
MtechX2 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	N54 Weird squeaking noise I'm trying to pinpoint the source of this noise, it's not a belt or a pulley it sounds like a vacuum leak(to me) I'll post a video link so you can hear the sound. Started happening after I upgraded the pvc valve from esc tuning. The nice aluminum upgraded one. Brakes feel a tad soft and fluid is good, I'm gonna upload the video to YouTube then post a link __________________ Mtec
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10-26-2019, 03:41 PM	#2
MtechX2 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	Here's the link to the video, I'm thinking it's the vacuum pump but again, I just replaced the pcv and I'm about to go check the seals on it. The strange thing is, it sounds like the noise is in the front of the engine not the rear. Dunno, just going to check the pvc seals and see if it helps. __________________ Mtec
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10-27-2019, 08:33 PM	#3
bimmerzeit Private 46 Rep 75 Posts Drives: E28, E39, E90 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	How old is the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys? Kind of sounds like a pulley or alternator bearing squealing!
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10-27-2019, 08:36 PM	#4
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2816 Rep 6,390 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	I would start by running the car with no belt to see if noise is still there.
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10-29-2019, 09:59 PM	#9
MtechX2 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	It's not the belt, took it off and went for a drive still squeaking. It's something with the pvc leaking oil into the intake. You can hear the squeaking sound under the car and through the exhaust. After cleaning the intercooler the sound has died down a bit but is still there. It sounds like a tea kettle lol __________________ Mtec
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04-26-2022, 10:40 AM	#10
SpaceCoupE92 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2009 Bmw 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Did you ever end up finding the source of the problem? I'm having the same issue and I just had my valve cover changed not too long ago.
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