Growling noise from under the hood. 2008 135i.

Lester · 02-11-2016, 10:09 AM

2008 135i with 40,000 miles. I've started to notice a 'growling' noise from under the hood. It seems to be coming from the front of the engine. When I turn the engine off, it stays on for 5 seconds or so as it winds down. It is loud enough to notice when driving at city speeds even with 'Classic Rewind' playing on Sat Radio.

My guess is the electric water pump. Does anyone have corroborating or anecdotal support for my theory? How long should I wait before calling my dealer? I do have third party coverage.

Feb 2008 build, all recalls and service work has been done. Totally stock, never tuned. Only mods are sun shades and mud guards.

Thanks!

Stewy_604 · 02-11-2016, 10:12 AM

Definitely could be the water pump, common failure on the N55...assuming so on the N54 as well. Have you had any overheating issues at all? How many miles on the car?

Lester · 02-11-2016, 10:23 AM

Almost 58,000 Km or 36,000 miles. The only non recall repairs was a clutch slave cyl,

Stewy_604 · 02-11-2016, 12:01 PM

Could be on its way out. If you manually engage the pump, see if you hear the same noise. The process is rather easy:

1) Turn the key/ignition to on (do not start)
2) Turn temperature control all the way up
3) Turn fan control to the lowest setting
4) Hold accelerator pedal to the floor for 3-5 seconds

Following this, you should hear the pump engage. Almost sounds like a muffled electric drill. I just replaced my water pump and thermostat (typically fail around the same time). The E82 has 52k on the odo.

Lester · 02-12-2016, 09:52 AM

Took in in to the dealer this am. Service Advisor listened to the growling noise and confirmed that the noise was from the electric fan, likely on because the water pump has failed.

Should be repaired today.

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 02-12-2016, 10:31 AM

It could be Tony?

Dackelone · 02-12-2016, 10:40 AM

1). Does it make the noise when you hold the clutch pedal to the floor - and turn off the engine?

2). Or do you just leave the clutch out(not pressing down on the pedal) as you shut off the engine.

#2 is normal for the clutch/DMF(dual mass flywheel) to make some noise as the revs slow to a stop when you shut off the engine. I also keep my clutch pedal depressed when I switch off the engine. Either way no real harm is being done - its just I don't lke hearing that noise!

Another thought is the AC compressor. Maybe see IF the noise changes when the AC is on/off. ?

And lastly a slight fluttering noise around 2,300 rpms as the revs go back to idle is a bad rear crankshaft seal. On some cars they make noise. On other they tend to leak. Always replace the crank seal when you replace the clutch.

I think also the front crankshaft pulley bolt has been known to loosen up over time. Especially if you do a lot of launches from a dead stop. The engine can move around and the pulley comes in contact with the front subframe.

Dackel

Lester · 02-12-2016, 12:47 PM

I'll report back when I pick up the car this afternoon.

Stewy_604 · 02-12-2016, 04:25 PM

Keep us posted. Good luck!

Lester · 02-13-2016, 05:27 PM

Thanks, yes it was fixed yesterday. The growling noise that I heard was the electric aux cooling fan kicking in due to the water pump malfunction.

The dealer charged out $CDN 855 for the labor and parts Inc coolant to replace the electric water pump 11-51-7-632-426 and an additional $CDN 633 for labor and parts for replacing thermostat 11-53-7-549-476.

My third party insurance covered all but $CDN 225.

02-11-2016, 10:09 AM	#1
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Growling noise from under the hood. 2008 135i. 2008 135i with 40,000 miles. I've started to notice a 'growling' noise from under the hood. It seems to be coming from the front of the engine. When I turn the engine off, it stays on for 5 seconds or so as it winds down. It is loud enough to notice when driving at city speeds even with 'Classic Rewind' playing on Sat Radio. My guess is the electric water pump. Does anyone have corroborating or anecdotal support for my theory? How long should I wait before calling my dealer? I do have third party coverage. Feb 2008 build, all recalls and service work has been done. Totally stock, never tuned. Only mods are sun shades and mud guards. Thanks! __________________ 2008 135i, Jet Black, 6 spd, Canadian Sport package, black leatherette, manual seats, aluminum glacier trim, PDC. 1983 E21 Delphin, M10, 5 speed, LSD, MSW wheels, recaro seats, Hartge strut brace, rear sway bar. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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02-11-2016, 10:12 AM	#2
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Definitely could be the water pump, common failure on the N55...assuming so on the N54 as well. Have you had any overheating issues at all? How many miles on the car? __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-11-2016, 10:23 AM	#3
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Almost 58,000 Km or 36,000 miles. The only non recall repairs was a clutch slave cyl,
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02-11-2016, 12:01 PM	#4
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Could be on its way out. If you manually engage the pump, see if you hear the same noise. The process is rather easy: 1) Turn the key/ignition to on (do not start) 2) Turn temperature control all the way up 3) Turn fan control to the lowest setting 4) Hold accelerator pedal to the floor for 3-5 seconds Following this, you should hear the pump engage. Almost sounds like a muffled electric drill. I just replaced my water pump and thermostat (typically fail around the same time). The E82 has 52k on the odo. __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-12-2016, 09:52 AM	#5
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Took in in to the dealer this am. Service Advisor listened to the growling noise and confirmed that the noise was from the electric fan, likely on because the water pump has failed. Should be repaired today.
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02-12-2016, 10:31 AM	#6
Mr Rooty Von Tooty Banned 117 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	It could be Tony?
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02-12-2016, 10:40 AM	#7
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	1). Does it make the noise when you hold the clutch pedal to the floor - and turn off the engine? 2). Or do you just leave the clutch out(not pressing down on the pedal) as you shut off the engine. #2 is normal for the clutch/DMF(dual mass flywheel) to make some noise as the revs slow to a stop when you shut off the engine. I also keep my clutch pedal depressed when I switch off the engine. Either way no real harm is being done - its just I don't lke hearing that noise! Another thought is the AC compressor. Maybe see IF the noise changes when the AC is on/off. ? And lastly a slight fluttering noise around 2,300 rpms as the revs go back to idle is a bad rear crankshaft seal. On some cars they make noise. On other they tend to leak. Always replace the crank seal when you replace the clutch. I think also the front crankshaft pulley bolt has been known to loosen up over time. Especially if you do a lot of launches from a dead stop. The engine can move around and the pulley comes in contact with the front subframe. Dackel __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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02-12-2016, 12:47 PM	#8
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	I'll report back when I pick up the car this afternoon.
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02-12-2016, 04:25 PM	#9
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Keep us posted. Good luck! __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-13-2016, 05:27 PM	#10
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Thanks, yes it was fixed yesterday. The growling noise that I heard was the electric aux cooling fan kicking in due to the water pump malfunction. The dealer charged out $CDN 855 for the labor and parts Inc coolant to replace the electric water pump 11-51-7-632-426 and an additional $CDN 633 for labor and parts for replacing thermostat 11-53-7-549-476. My third party insurance covered all but $CDN 225.
	Appreciate 0 Quote