Newb question (Still Killing Me)

[seth325is]

What's up guys.. I havn't posted here in a while. if any of you remember me I'll be suprised. Anyway getting on with it ... I still have my 1994 325IS. I've done a body kit and a kickass entertainment system but I've not done anything on the engine yet. For the past 6 months or so I've been hearing this high pitched humming sound coming from *something* ... I've checked just about everything I know to check for. I was wondering if any of you guys have experienced this problem, I'm at ~90,000miles if that makes any difference. I realize this is probably something that is subjective and you would need to hear the exact sound but it's a high pitched humming sound that you can hear most readily at low RPMs ... I will try to make some clips so you guys can hear but just checking to see if anyone knew anything off the top of their head I could check for.

Thanks as always :alright

[widebody_bimmer]

question...is it coming from the right rear of the car or from the engine bay? that may help diagnose it

[seth325is]

It is definitely coming from somewhere towards the front of the engine bay.

[DeanP]

There are many posts in here regarding noise from the VANOS, most report a buzzing sound or ticking. It seems to fairly normal, some guys try a lubrication trick to flush the sludge out and make it more quite. A little searching will find many leads.

[seth325is]

Thanks I will definitely check that out. However it isn't so much of a ticking or buzzing sound. It's almost just like an added high pitched hum to the idle... It's rather strange, you would think it may could be the belts but i've checked and it is not. I will check out your suggestion. Appreciate it. :redspot

[DeanP]

A bearing in one the accessories or in the tensioner pulley could be bad. You need to use a mechanics stethoscope to find it, or a long screwdriver and put your ear to the handle and listen for noisy parts.

[ACS320i]

if its sound like a high pitched whine... i have it too
sounds like a supercharger :D

[seth325is]

yeah I guess on mine it's one notch down from supercharger and one notch up on cheap ass engine > :)

[Truman325i]

does it make this noise with enging off but stereo still on , I wouldt doubt f ure getting stereo wine , mine did this , my amps filter was broke so i dunno just check to see

[seth325is]

oh yeah i've definitely checked that it's not coming from speakers. it's somewhere in the front of the engine bay. just blasted. don't know what it is I'm going to check and see if it's the alternator or maybe it's something in the transmission.

-Seth

[Blufire]

Are you sure it's not alternator whine? Sounds like a classic case, seeing as how you have a new entertainment system. The whining noise gets higher in frequency as the RPMs increase, right?

If it is alternator noise being caused by your entertainment system, do a search in the Car Audio & Electronics sub-forum on "alternator noise"... basically, try unplugging your audio, etc. system by either just turning the power off or disconnecting the power to the system entirely. Then put the car in neutral and try revving the engine a bit... if the whining noise is gone, then that's your problem. If not, it's probably one of the other mechanical things that these guys are talking about :)

[Dnz]

I got it too, i like it. haha

Oh and my radio, on a certain station can tune into the engine somehow, and it will whine in tune with the rpms. Its great. hahah

Its like my very own S/C! :D

[speedy328]

what station? I want it!!!

[raulpou]

I have the problem but I have not been able to figure it out. But if this helps it kinda went like........Wooo Woooooooo! :buttrock

[Dnz]

84.something fm

And it only happens at certain times. Like last night after following an evo for a bit i turn left down a road and floor it, and the music stops and it cuts over into engine whine. It was cool. haha

Its like the best non mod you could have! (its still the stock radio/tapeplayer till i have enough money to waste on cd)