2001 330 whining problem.

veli510 · 10-19-2010, 10:10 AM

My car makes a weird whining noise that flunctuates whenever I step on the gas and idle. It does it in the morning from but overtime it goes away. This problem happen about 2 weeks ago and now it's came back I have no idea what it can be but it seems it's coming from the engine bay.

mtnman · 10-19-2010, 10:12 AM

turn off the snowflake, and see if it goes away. Sounds like belt or a/c compressor whine.

veli510 · 10-19-2010, 12:04 PM

I turned off the A/C. Still make noise.

LedZeppelin330CI · 10-20-2010, 05:52 PM

I had a similar problem. It started off like yours and progressively got worse and worse. Only heard it at idle or on and off throttle while sitting. It was the altenator shaft bearing went bad. Altenator still worked fine but the shaft play was horrible when I finally decided to remove it thus making the whining noise. I figured it out by removing the serpetine belt and start the motor for a few seconds and never heard the noise. Replaced the altenator.

Rick C. · 11-26-2010, 08:13 PM

I seem to have the same problem. The whining is starting to be constant now. Is this a difficult DIY? Any idea what a shop would reasonably charge for this job?

Steven747 · 11-26-2010, 08:27 PM

maybe but prob not vanos

e46crooser · 12-01-2010, 06:10 PM

noisy belt tensioner(s) or deflection pulley. Ususally they are the loudest when cold

sjermyn · 12-06-2010, 02:45 AM

I had this as well, it turned out to be the deflection pulley had disintegrated and the belt was pulling across the top alternator bolt. Changed the pulley and belt and all good.

10-19-2010, 10:10 AM	#1
veli510 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 70 My Ride: 2001 BMW 330i View My Garage	2001 330 whining problem. My car makes a weird whining noise that flunctuates whenever I step on the gas and idle. It does it in the morning from but overtime it goes away. This problem happen about 2 weeks ago and now it's came back I have no idea what it can be but it seems it's coming from the engine bay.

10-19-2010, 10:12 AM	#2
mtnman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 My Ride: 2004 330 ZHP View My Garage	turn off the snowflake, and see if it goes away. Sounds like belt or a/c compressor whine. __________________

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10-19-2010, 12:04 PM	#3
veli510 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 70 My Ride: 2001 BMW 330i View My Garage	I turned off the A/C. Still make noise.

10-20-2010, 05:52 PM	#4
LedZeppelin330CI Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 3 My Ride: 01 330CI View My Garage	I had a similar problem. It started off like yours and progressively got worse and worse. Only heard it at idle or on and off throttle while sitting. It was the altenator shaft bearing went bad. Altenator still worked fine but the shaft play was horrible when I finally decided to remove it thus making the whining noise. I figured it out by removing the serpetine belt and start the motor for a few seconds and never heard the noise. Replaced the altenator.

11-26-2010, 08:13 PM	#5
Rick C. Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bethpage,NY Posts: 5 My Ride: 2000 323i Sedan View My Garage	I seem to have the same problem. The whining is starting to be constant now. Is this a difficult DIY? Any idea what a shop would reasonably charge for this job?

11-26-2010, 08:27 PM	#6
Steven747 OEM ///Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4,163 My Ride: 05 330ci View My Garage	maybe but prob not vanos

12-01-2010, 06:10 PM	#7
e46crooser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brentwood, CA Posts: 63 My Ride: 99 328 5spd View My Garage	noisy belt tensioner(s) or deflection pulley. Ususally they are the loudest when cold

12-06-2010, 02:45 AM	#8
sjermyn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berry, NSW, Australia Posts: 3 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	I had this as well, it turned out to be the deflection pulley had disintegrated and the belt was pulling across the top alternator bolt. Changed the pulley and belt and all good.