Worrying Noises - Please diagnose!

Giblets · Post by **Giblets** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:17 pm

Worrying noise #1 - A cricket type squeaky vibration from the dashboard under braking. Difficult to describe. Not getting any steering wheel judder and car pulls up fine, so just a noise or vibration maybe?

Worrying noise #2 - Turbo whistle getting more noticeable. Car pulls fine but you can really hear the whistle now. Is this a sign of impending turbo failure? No blue smoke to report under driving with a slight puff on startup only.

Much obliged good sirs.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:16 am

Difficult to determine, but the dash rattle could be one of the a/c fans with a bearing issue that only shows up under load from a different direction, i.e. Braking. I had a similar noise on my '05 E53 and that's what it turned out to be. It took the dealer two days to change it though as a lot of stuff has to come out before you can get at them.

Turbo whistle volume change could be a loose manifold, inlet pipe or connection that just allows more noise out. Also look for missing sound insulation or incorrectly position grommets in the firewall. Those are all the simpler and cheaper checks I can think of before you start looking at exhaust manifolds, or the actual turbo unit. The lack of oil smoke is a good sign though. The puff on startup is completely normal.

Giblets · Post by **Giblets** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:53 am

Thanks mate.

I think the dash noise is more of a squeak than a rattle if that makes sense? It really only happens under braking, normal or severe. Thought at first it might be the ABS playing up but not sure now.

As for the turbo whistle. my local indy had a quick look underneath when it was last in and said he couldn't see anything obvious but it was a quick look as it was in for an oil service and I didn't want my labour charge going through the roof!

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:50 pm

If it was the ABS you would feel its operation on the brake pedal.

Can you hear the turbo whistle with the indows closed?

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:16 pm

FWIW I also hear the shrill cricket sound from the fans now and then but have never attributed it to braking. It comes and goes. I have also queried the whistle from the turbo bit again it's only audible when you have the window open. I do get a little puff of fumes especially when it's cold on start up and also when I gun it. But of course as I drive the car like a granny I don't get smoke that often

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phiggystardust · Post by **phiggystardust** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:46 pm

Hi
I hunted for an annoying squeak creak from the dash too pulled loads apart and gave up only found by chance when a mate called over watching me and leant on the bonnet and there it was the creak ,adjusted the bonnet stops and now all gone ,
Just a thought

Giblets · Post by **Giblets** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:35 pm

Cheers fellas and ladies. Yes I can hear the turbo whistle with the windows closed. A shrill cricket sound is the perfect way to describe the other noise!

My rule of thumb is that unless the car starts to drive any different, not to worry too much about the odd noise, but I wanted to check with you all anyway. At 8 years and 100k I suppose you have to expect these imperfections!

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