E46 N42 Weird Noises

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yohannes

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Hi guys, Thanks to all the fellow forummers who have been very helpful and generous in sharing knowledge, I have learnt more about my car in 6 months of ownership. At the same time, it has also been a challenge owning the car which spent alot of time in the workshop rather than being driven. With some 18k spent on the car in the last 6 months, I really hope that the major problems have been taken care of, and right now there are a few irritating issues which I would like to weed out. 1. The first and most annoying, is the strange sounds from the engine. Even after a top overhaul, the engine still sounds like a diesel. Visits to a few mechanics have not proven useful as well as I was told that it is "normal" for the engine to sound like that. Sigh.. Anyway, I have uploaded a video on youtube and hopefully someone will be able to point out the cause of noise : http://youtu.be/bC6cTETbhDUAt the start, I am filming the right side of the engine where the dipstick is. There is a very annoying "screeching" sound coming from that area. It does not happen perpetually but seems to be getting worse. Thought it might be the pulley's but it isnt. Anyone had experience with this sound before?Secondly, going to the left of the engine, there is a loud "rattling" noise coming from the engine as well. Visited one mech who suspected a water pump and disassembled everything only to tell me that the sound was coming from inside the engine only made me feel worse... Was asked to refer to the mech who did my top overhaul but the mech who did the top overhaul says it is "normal" to sound like that. Would be great if anyone could provide some pointers on this. 2. Have yet to get this checked/fixed but I have a loud "humming" sound from the rear of the car when cruising at around 110kM/h. Sound dissapears beyond that speed but seems to come in again at higher speeds around 140-150kM/h. Based on my previous post, seems that I should suspect the long shaft . Any other ideas?3. Vibration during idle. Engine mountings have been changed, spark plugs, ignition coils etc. Have been to the mech several times for this but still, nobody seems to be able to point out the cause of vibration. Vibrations are more pronounced with the air cond off, and seem to dissapear after the car has been driven for some distance ( 20-30 mins ) Appreciate any and all advice. Hope to fix the car to perfection so that I can really enjoy my UDM. Thanks guys.
 
Bro yohannes, quick reply for you as in the office. here is video of mine

[video=youtube;sntqr3v25Yw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sntqr3v25Yw[/video]
 
hope I can help...for the diesel like sound start, it could be the vacuum pump at the rear of the engine (this pump supplies vacuum for the brakes to work). It is located beneath the A/C filter. Part replacement as per the postings, indicate in the region of 800-1k for a new part.

For the vibration, try to get your car retune. I had the same problem previously (which led to check engine light turned on), but after my car dealer send for retuning (apparently) it is better, less vibration and no more CEL. Best is to get ur mech to plug it in and get the running data to ensure that all is well, or if some members could help.

Cheers...
 
The N42 is indeed a sensitive engine. The sounds from the rear seems to sway towards a faulty vacuum pump as said by iceduke. Rattling sound from the engine is pretty hard to distinguish judging from the video as it sounds more like something loose within the engine bay. Did your mech plug in the diagnostic tool before doing the overhaul? Sometimes a faulty crankshaft sensor will also cause some rattling to the engine.
 
You probably may want to join the TT tomorrow. Take the opportunity to check with other members ride & compare the sound. BTW the N 42 engine is noted to produce some kind of noise that resembles a diesel engine. The video sound cannot tell very much so the best is to test a few N42 engine to understand how much does yours differs from the others.
 
just to side track abit, Vincent where and what time is the TT? would love to join though...thanks
 
thanks bro wingzee...had a feeling it was that thread but wasn't sure.

well hope its on....pm me if it is...thanks.. :)
 
aidilj;749129 said:
Bro yohannes, quick reply for you as in the office. here is video of mine

[video=youtube;sntqr3v25Yw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sntqr3v25Yw[/video]
Click to expand...

Hi bro. Thanks for sharing. I have previously watched your video before. At the start, there is the sound of air leaking. I don't actually have this sound... But overall, your car certainly sounds much better than mine!

Iceduke;749163 said:
hope I can help...for the diesel like sound start, it could be the vacuum pump at the rear of the engine (this pump supplies vacuum for the brakes to work). It is located beneath the A/C filter. Part replacement as per the postings, indicate in the region of 800-1k for a new part.

For the vibration, try to get your car retune. I had the same problem previously (which led to check engine light turned on), but after my car dealer send for retuning (apparently) it is better, less vibration and no more CEL. Best is to get ur mech to plug it in and get the running data to ensure that all is well, or if some members could help.

Hi bro, thanks for the info. Actually, the last time my car went into the workshop, the mech did clear all codes and the car was fine for awhile but the vibration came back after a few days. The answer I got was that there is nothing wrong with the car. This is the place where I did the overhaul, and it is supposed to be under warranty so to say that there is nothing wrong with it is the easiest answer of course...
Cheers...
Click to expand...

jeffreyewe;749168 said:
The N42 is indeed a sensitive engine. The sounds from the rear seems to sway towards a faulty vacuum pump as said by iceduke. Rattling sound from the engine is pretty hard to distinguish judging from the video as it sounds more like something loose within the engine bay. Did your mech plug in the diagnostic tool before doing the overhaul? Sometimes a faulty crankshaft sensor will also cause some rattling to the engine.
Click to expand...

Yes, they did. In fact, the car broke down BIG TIME and that was the reason I had to go for the overhaul..

Vincent Hor;749174 said:
You probably may want to join the TT tomorrow. Take the opportunity to check with other members ride & compare the sound. BTW the N 42 engine is noted to produce some kind of noise that resembles a diesel engine. The video sound cannot tell very much so the best is to test a few N42 engine to understand how much does yours differs from the others.
Click to expand...

Hi bro. Is the TT a weekly affair? Unfortunately I am going back to JB tonight so wont be able to join. Will try to join the one next week if it is a weekly affair. As you said, I think it will definitely be much better if there is comparison. Thanks for the suggestions bro.

Iceduke;749185 said:
just to side track abit, Vincent where and what time is the TT? would love to join though...thanks
Click to expand...

wingzee;749193 said:
OT:

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/foru...T-Chawan-Citta-Mall-Ara-Damansara-11-May-2012

Official Thread for OTT but have not been updated yet for tomorrow's. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies guys! Btw, is the TT held at Citta Mall every week? Damn I am staying just nearby... what a waste that I need to go back to JB today...
 
glad to see our n42 geng getting bigger =)
of all sound produced by our engine, i really annoyed by the sound during start my engine.
krrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkk for 1-2 sec than it gone.
Few month back, i did change my starter. After change the starter, no more sound during starting the engine.
However, now the sound come back =(
 
I just pretend not to hear it....even after I rebuilt my engine and replaced the whole aircon system the sounds is not that smooth after the initial "krrrrrrooookkkkkkk".
But engine feels responsive and aircon like freezer, need to set at 24DegC only.
 
i start to notice white smoke from my exhaust....demmm...
and today got the engine oil warning...but check the dipstick, engine oil is ok, just slightly below the max level......
hmmmmm......what are the thing involved during your engine rebuild bro? how much it cost u?
 
It will be cheaper to replace the engine than do a rebuild. The items changed are gasket sets, bearings, engine block sleeves, piston rings, oil seals, timing chain guide, cam cover and a few more things. Need to refer back to the list. Only block, head and piston still using the existing one. Then there was hairline crack at the block itself so that added the headache. In total spent about rm10k for rebuilt.
 
zeedo;765869 said:
It will be cheaper to replace the engine than do a rebuild. The items changed are gasket sets, bearings, engine block sleeves, piston rings, oil seals, timing chain guide, cam cover and a few more things. Need to refer back to the list. Only block, head and piston still using the existing one. Then there was hairline crack at the block itself so that added the headache. In total spent about rm10k for rebuilt.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that bro.. If the engine with hairline crack it's the end of life of that engine. Time to upgrade to 2.2 block but everything else 3.0 or 3.2 lots of cheap parts in Japan I presume
 
Actually my car is in Malaysia, in Japan naik basikal only. If want to upgrade to 2.2 block that means better get half cut rather than changing the block only. Was quoted RM5,000 at Segambut for N42 engine alone, that was why I opted for rebuilt since I will get new components but the duration taken is a lot longer to complete. Had no problem waiting since I'm not around but if I were to be in KL then changing engine is simpler. Downside is you do not know the engine's history
 

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