135 high pitched whine when accelerating hard?

Schnorbitz · 09-16-2009, 04:15 PM

Had my car a few months now and I'm now starting to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. Whenever I really gun the engine through the gears from standstill I can hear a loud high pitched whining noise from the engine from about 5k until the red line. If I accelerate slowly up to the red line I don't get the noise. Any ideas what this might be or is it just a characteristic of this engine?

Thanks!

tkbr0wn · 09-16-2009, 04:55 PM

bluejaypanther · 09-16-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnorbitz

Had my car a few months now and I'm now starting to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. Whenever I really gun the engine through the gears from standstill I can hear a loud high pitched whining noise from the engine from about 5k until the red line. If I accelerate slowly up to the red line I don't get the noise. Any ideas what this might be or is it just a characteristic of this engine?

Thanks!

Ideas:
Turbos?
Air intake?

is it harsh or like a whistle?

Xyloft · 09-16-2009, 04:59 PM

my vote is the turbo. you would only hear it under full boost, WOT acceleration.

dubdemand · 09-16-2009, 05:03 PM

I get a high pitched whine too but only when the Mrs is in the car with me!?!

Qunadry · 09-16-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubdemand

I get a high pitched whine too but only when the Mrs is in the car with me!?!

You too?

BMW86 · 09-16-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubdemand

I get a high pitched whine too but only when the Mrs is in the car with me!?!

thats gold!!

Totti · 09-16-2009, 05:51 PM

It's the TURBO. You get the boost up under full throttle but not if you granny it which explains why you don't hear it unless you gun it.

oasis3582 · 09-16-2009, 08:23 PM

I would guess it is the turbo. I usually can't hear mine over the exhaust, though.

BrokenVert · 09-16-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

I love that picture. And I make that joke everytime I see a Honda or Acura AutoX.

Schnorbitz · 09-16-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejaypanther

Ideas:
Turbos?
Air intake?

is it harsh or like a whistle?

It's quite harsh sounding, certainly harsher than I'd expect turbo whistle to sound like, but my only previous experience with a turbo car is a Mk4 Golf Gti and it was silent under all loads. It sounds electrical to me, like the alternator, but it could well be normal turbo noise? I'd take it to the dealer but they're 120 miles away! Don't want to take a day off to be told "they all do that sir..."

Thanks for your input everyone.

MadMan77 · 09-16-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnorbitz

It's quite harsh sounding, certainly harsher than I'd expect turbo whistle to sound like, but my only previous experience with a turbo car is a Mk4 Golf Gti and it was silent under all loads. It sounds electrical to me, like the alternator, but it could well be normal turbo noise? I'd take it to the dealer but they're 120 miles away! Don't want to take a day off to be told "they all do that sir..."

Thanks for your input everyone.

It is just two tiny snails being beaten to death. So yeah, it is perfectly normal.

atr_hugo · 09-16-2009, 09:16 PM

I'm old - and the turbo whine is at the edge of my range of hearing. I heard it pretty well the other day accelerating through an underpass. Definitely turbos. (And it's nice to still be able to hear it - even though I needed the help of an open window and a concrete wall. ; -)

cagekicker · 09-18-2009, 11:31 PM

that's the turbo screamin'

and 1 · 09-19-2009, 09:29 AM

such a sweet sound! i don't get it every time i go WOT, but more often than not. do you guys always hear it?

jkp1187 · 09-19-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I love that picture. And I make that joke everytime I see a Honda or Acura AutoX.

Yeah, I remember test-driving an Acura TSX a few years ago. Salesman wouldn't shut up about VTEC. Everything good about the engine was VTEC this, VTEC that.

scorcherjf · 09-19-2009, 01:46 PM

does the sound have a constant pitch while moving through the rev range or does it get higher and higher as you go to redline?

i usually hear more of a "whistling" sound that I haven't figured out when i'm WOT but it doesn't change pitch, it's constant from 4k-7k.

Mindgame · 09-19-2009, 02:50 PM

It's your turbos about to explode, dawg

and 1 · 09-19-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

does the sound have a constant pitch while moving through the rev range or does it get higher and higher as you go to redline?

i usually hear more of a "whistling" sound that I haven't figured out when i'm WOT but it doesn't change pitch, it's constant from 4k-7k.

mine goes up with the revs

Schnorbitz · 09-19-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

does the sound have a constant pitch while moving through the rev range or does it get higher and higher as you go to redline?

i usually hear more of a "whistling" sound that I haven't figured out when i'm WOT but it doesn't change pitch, it's constant from 4k-7k.

Yeah, it gets higher and higher as the revs rise and drops off as you change gear before picking up again, but only at full throttle.

I've also got a strange whistling noise which I can't identify, it's from the left hand side of the front of the car and I can't work out if it's wind noise from the mirrors or leaking door seals, intake noise, the ventilation fan or tyre noise. It is of constant pitch and is audible throughout the rev range from low speed. I think it's the tyres but don't remember it being that bad on my previous 130.

Mindgame · 09-19-2009, 04:13 PM

if you have a clear protectant on the side mirror...it will whistle

oneintheory · 09-19-2009, 04:57 PM

it's probably your HPFP going out.

on another note. wtf? this is frontpage news?

09-16-2009, 04:15 PM	#1
Schnorbitz Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 318d Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	135 high pitched whine when accelerating hard? Had my car a few months now and I'm now starting to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. Whenever I really gun the engine through the gears from standstill I can hear a loud high pitched whining noise from the engine from about 5k until the red line. If I accelerate slowly up to the red line I don't get the noise. Any ideas what this might be or is it just a characteristic of this engine? Thanks!
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09-16-2009, 04:55 PM	#2
tkbr0wn Major 72 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman S Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	__________________ ● 2015 Cayman S (Current), 2011 1M BSM #297 (Sold), 2008 135i (Sold) ●
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09-16-2009, 04:59 PM	#4
Xyloft Lieutenant 34 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 128i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	my vote is the turbo. you would only hear it under full boost, WOT acceleration.
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09-16-2009, 05:03 PM	#5
dubdemand Captain 416 Rep 941 Posts Drives: F80 Individual Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (2)	I get a high pitched whine too but only when the Mrs is in the car with me!?! __________________ Individual SY F80 / insta:@dubdemand
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09-16-2009, 08:23 PM	#9
oasis3582 Lieutenant 146 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	I would guess it is the turbo. I usually can't hear mine over the exhaust, though. __________________ Current: 2021 BMW X3 M40i Previous: VW GTI, Tesla Model 3 LR, Mazda MX-5 RF, Ford Mustang GT (x2), Mazda 3, BMW Z4 sDrive35i, Acura TSX, BMW 135i, Acura TSX, Honda Accord Coupe V6, Acura RDX, Pontiac GTO 6.0, Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
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09-16-2009, 09:16 PM	#13
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	I'm old - and the turbo whine is at the edge of my range of hearing. I heard it pretty well the other day accelerating through an underpass. Definitely turbos. (And it's nice to still be able to hear it - even though I needed the help of an open window and a concrete wall. ; -)
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09-18-2009, 11:31 PM	#14
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	that's the turbo screamin' __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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09-19-2009, 09:29 AM	#15
and 1 winter mode 62 Rep 2,057 Posts Drives: 08 135i, 88 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Somerville, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [7.50]	such a sweet sound! i don't get it every time i go WOT, but more often than not. do you guys always hear it? __________________ 88 M3: BMWCCA J Sport 08 135: because streetcar
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09-19-2009, 01:46 PM	#17
scorcherjf Captain 29 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	does the sound have a constant pitch while moving through the rev range or does it get higher and higher as you go to redline? i usually hear more of a "whistling" sound that I haven't figured out when i'm WOT but it doesn't change pitch, it's constant from 4k-7k. __________________
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09-19-2009, 02:50 PM	#18
Mindgame Poke Her Face 27 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 09 135I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McKinney, TX iTrader: (0)	It's your turbos about to explode, dawg __________________ ///
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09-19-2009, 04:13 PM	#21
Mindgame Poke Her Face 27 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 09 135I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McKinney, TX iTrader: (0)	if you have a clear protectant on the side mirror...it will whistle __________________ ///
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09-19-2009, 04:57 PM	#22
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	it's probably your HPFP going out. on another note. wtf? this is frontpage news?
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