Whirring noise

[ZedPhwoah]

Hi all...

I've started to notice a whirring noise, especially at around 1500 rpm; to my knowledge it doesn't seem to do it when stationary.

I'm thinking wheel bearing? or do others have it in their E89s

What's the easiest way to tell, for a novice

Sample noise here (recorded by the passenger ):
https://youtu.be/m1n-tDqn3xY

Appreciated!

[Z4Sparky]

First thing to do is figure out if it is engine, gearbox or wheel related.

Does it happen when the car is stationary?

Does it only happen when the car is moving?

If you are moving along and the whirring happens and you depress the clutch/coast in neutral, does the sound continue?

[ZedPhwoah]

First thing to do is figure out if it is engine, gearbox or wheel related.

Does it happen when the car is stationary?

Does it only happen when the car is moving?

If you are moving along and the whirring happens and you depress the clutch/coast in neutral, does the sound continue?

Believe its only when moving, and its an auto so no clutch

[Cees Klumper]

I can't hear any odd noise in the video.

[Z4Sparky]

First thing to do is figure out if it is engine, gearbox or wheel related.

Does it happen when the car is stationary?

Does it only happen when the car is moving?

If you are moving along and the whirring happens and you depress the clutch/coast in neutral, does the sound continue?

Believe its only when moving, and its an auto so no clutch

Next thing I would try is to jack the car up and spin the wheels to see if that pin points any strange noises.

[Nictrix]

Check your coolant level. Im sure the noise is similar to a noise we had and the coolant level was low. I think the noise was the pump spinning with air in it. After topping up with coolant the noise has never been back.

[Smartbear]

Check your coolant level. Im sure the noise is similar to a noise we had and the coolant level was low. I think the noise was the pump spinning with air in it. After topping up with coolant the noise has never been back.

He should have a warning light on if the coolant was that low?
Rob

[Wigsters]

The noise seems to come and go. Does it occur when you first apply some accelerator and then stop when you reduce or stop applying pressure?
I am not suggesting the Turbo but it does sound like air being sucked or pushed somewhere. The on-off nature suggests that if you could find what causes it you would then know what it is.
Hate noises like that -- would bug the hell out of me too.

[Nictrix]

Check your coolant level. Im sure the noise is similar to a noise we had and the coolant level was low. I think the noise was the pump spinning with air in it. After topping up with coolant the noise has never been back.

He should have a warning light on if the coolant was that low?
Rob

We didn't have any warning light.

[enzed4]

First thing to do is figure out if it is engine, gearbox or wheel related.

Does it happen when the car is stationary?

Does it only happen when the car is moving?

If you are moving along and the whirring happens and you depress the clutch/coast in neutral, does the sound continue?

Believe its only when moving, and its an auto so no clutch

But you can put the transmission in neutral and coast

[ZedPhwoah]

The noise seems to come and go. Does it occur when you first apply some accelerator and then stop when you reduce or stop applying pressure?
I am not suggesting the Turbo but it does sound like air being sucked or pushed somewhere. The on-off nature suggests that if you could find what causes it you would then know what it is.
Hate noises like that -- would bug the hell out of me too.

Yes it does seem to come and go, I tested on the motorway this morning and couldn't hear it; seems to be when I start applying throttle at about 1300- 1500 rpm, then goes shortly after.

[Wigsters]

You stated earlier that you couldn't hear it at rest. I would be tempted to try again (with an assistant....), gently play around with the throttle slowly increasing revs to see if you can consistently recreate the sound at rest. If it is anything to do with the engine (engine, air intake, turbo and related pipes etc) it should show up in this way as if you were driving I would have thought.
If you can do so it narrows it down a little.
I am afraid that's where I run out of ideas. I am not that technical, just meddle to ensure that those in the know (who look after my cars) are kept in check when they suggest replacing bits
Good luck.

[ZedPhwoah]

You stated earlier that you couldn't hear it at rest. I would be tempted to try again (with an assistant....), gently play around with the throttle slowly increasing revs to see if you can consistently recreate the sound at rest. If it is anything to do with the engine

Yeah will do some more tests at rest; appreciate the love so far!