M54B30 Engine Idle Sound Normal?

I have a 2003 BMW 330Xi with the M54B30 Engine.

Is this a normal Idle sound?



All pulleys check out. I isolated the noise behind the main crank pulley using a vacuum hose cupped to my ear. Timing chain, oil pump chain and main crank and associated parts are the only thing I can think of. Perhaps it is normal.

Can anyone else verify this is a normal engine idle noise?

Question, does it sound like it's coming from the passenger side near the bottom front?

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Question, does it sound like it's coming from the passenger side near the bottom front?

Maybe slightly louder on passenger side than drivers. You can't really hear the noise from the top of the engine with the hood up. It's from underneath.

AC, power steering, water pump, idler pulleys, Alternator, all are quiet when I hold a vacuum hose to them from my ear.

The noise is gone when engine is started cold. It gets louder as the engine warms up. The video is the noise fully developed. It's the wicka wicka wicka sound that kind of comes in waves.

Check your power steering pump. Mine has shaft play. Makes a similar noise.

Did you find out what it is? I think mine is starting to make the same noise. Similar in sound just quieter.

I have same noise.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...354&highlight=
After second visit on dealer, it has been stated , it's nothing wrong with the engine.
Let us know what you will dig out.
my video:

Its not normal to me, you could always take the belt off and start it to see if it still makes the noise. this would verify for sure its not alt,ps pump, ac, water pump. dont run it very long tho , keep it less than a min

Just went through this exact problem on an '03 325i. The noise started right after he had an oil change at a GoodYear store. Seemed to be coming from the side of the engine and sounded horrible!

Changed the oil and filter and used Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic 5w30 (available from wal-mart), a BMW filter kit and the noise went completely away!

I am guessing the oil change place used regular dino oil or crappy synthetic blend to try and save some bucks.

The first video is not my engine, but has same engine noise as mine, it's kind a grinding metal to metal, if something is turning, so it has a short period when noise goes away. Also if you'll scroll down, you will find my post with the my video. All pulleys and tensioner have been changed by dealer, even one for compressor (March-April). The noise can be hear when car reach an operational temperature, meaning the needle at middle position on temp. gauge.
I was coming back to dealer with this noise and they keep changing pulleys and tentioner, until i went a different dealer, where technician has confirmed it's a catalytic converter. So a month later after involving BMW NA, I had appointment again, where the shop foreman was declined that is catalytic converter. He told me it's normal noise?! Ah....
He said it's may be exhaust lifters?! Can be?
So Please go to check your car, and if you have same noise let me know, because one of BMW NA was so kind, and will forward my video and video other people who has same noise to the technical department of BMW.
The noise can be hear easily on front right side (passanger) near wheel well with hood shut.

Thanks.

2002 330i ... same noise! I thought it was the vanos unit ... Bought all the seals + parts but havent done it yet.

I could take a video next time im in there working on it (planning lots of suspension work soon)

Subscribed !

take a video and post here with youtube link. I'm preparing a letter to BMW NA about this noise. Thanks

It is good to know I am not alone with this. The second video post sounds the same as my car and is easily heard with the hood down from either wheel well. If BMW is saying this is a normal noise, than BMW has some work to do.

So exhaust lifters may be the cause eh? I too questioned the catalytic converter since the noise only developed when warmed up. But the noise seemed to originate from the lower engine closer to the front. Either way, belts and pulleys check out.

I have sent an email to BMW NA reperesentative. So we shall wait for answers. I have spent 3 months with dealer ship to find problem, no success.

This coming Monday regional technical rep. will look at my noise in engine. Will post update after that.

Thank you .. I appreciate that information

I have to say ... when i first got the car, I thought the intake (part throttle) sound of air wooshing was a little too much. I did the PCV and checked all my pulleys, did a vacuum check etc .. could never find the problem

Also, when accelerating next to a guard rail or wall, I sometimes hear a metallic ping sound, almost like a valve is screwing up, or a piece of something is moving around inside the exhaust.

Finally, If I sometimes shift hard, I hear what sounds like a single backfire. I almost brushed this aside as some freeplay in the driveline being taken out very quickly, and a bad bushing taking the hit. But ..... I wonder if all these problems I have can be related to this sound which may affect the exhaust valves???

Again, I didnt do my VANOS yet .. I was hoping my sound was coming from that.

Anxiously Awaiting your update and some info. Thanks Phlfly

After visiting dealer for 5th time for same engine noise, Regional tech did inspection and didn't find anything wrong with engine. The noise is normal for M54/325i engine. I asked about vanos, they have declined this too, by telling to me it would have a loss power. They drove a car for 10 min at different speed.
So today I have decided to change oil from M1 5w-30 to M1 0w-40, result is there is no deference in engine noises.
So if someone will have answer, please let me know.
I've almost give up with this.
Is there here any mechanics who is willing to listen an engine around DC metro?
Big Thanks!

Nothing wrong with it ................ YET

Its Unfortunate that owners noticing a new sound means nothing to a mechanic trained to fix an apparent problem.

I guess we will have to wait to see if something gives inside the engine..............

A normal noise?! I didn't remember the noise when the car was newer. Regardless of whether this is normal for these engines, I still want to know the source. What in the engine is doing this? And why only when the engine is warm? The noise is certainly not up to BMW standards.

I share your frustration. This noise has become very obvious at drive thru's with the window down.

Can anyone else post what they are hearing and try to isolate it? I will try a more thorough attempt soon.

I'm more leaning towards to catalytic converter. My car is out warranty, so BMW NA doesn't want investigate, while is nothing wrong(starts ok, drive ok). I'm hope in year or two Cat. Conver. will give up, but I will keep all maintenance records, to come back to BMW.

I have changed oil two days ago. I filled with M1 0W-40, I had M1 5W-30. right after oil change, the noise was same loud as before. But it's a strange thing is happening today (60 miles on new oil), when I came to work I've checked again, the noise is getting quieter, much quieter. During the lunch I went to BMW dealer, to talk about it, so tech. adviser has also advice me to buy BG MOA part number 110 (bgprod.com). I do trust him, because I have known him for 5 years, he worked for VW used to be and helped a lot with VW passat. So I bought it at BMW part store. I will update late.
May be it's not catalytic converter, may be it's lifters is making noise, because oil is not too thick for this engine. The shop foremen has told me, it's exhaust lifters are making noise.
So, guys try to change oil with BMW approved oil specification.