Changed Valve Cover/Gasket-Car Still Chirps Help?

[TWO STEP TEX]

I've scoured the web in hopes of finding a solution for this issue. As I said in the title, I changed it the valve cover and gasket already. Any of you that have had similar issues, what was the solution? Had an Indy shop check the pulleys and belts, they said they were fine. Didn't appear to have any boost leaks. I can tell you that the sound increases in speed and gets louder as RPM rises. Was thinking of the crank seal, but I have a hard time believing it would be so rpm dependant if it's a vacuum issue. No leaks, car drives great, just the annoying squeak. I'll post a video.

Edit:
Here is the video: https://youtube.com/shorts/nXEeMUYBK0U?feature=share

[ErvGotti]

I have an N54 and had a similar noise, turned out to be the alternator. The shaft that the pully mounted to got worn out. The pully and the belts felt fine while attached, but as soon as we removed the belt, the pully had excessive play.

[bnace10]

I also have some chirping, but only at idle once the car is warmed up (needle has started to move). VCG, pulley/belt, and the front crank seal have all been replaced.

I'm saving it for after the winter.

[Gizmo135i]

Have you changed the oil with oem oil/filter? Usually the valve cover is the issue but I’ve also seen crappy aftermarket filters cause oil pressure fluctuations that cause issues with the vanos which could create excessive crankcase vacuum. The excess vacuum causes the whistle noise through the front or rear crank seal.

Also while it’s running and making the noise try removing the oil cap. The cap should come off relatively easily. If it feels stuck and the noise goes away when you take it off then the issue is excess crankcase vacuum. If you remove the oil cap and the noise persists then there is something else going on like a bad pulley.

[TWO STEP TEX]

Originally Posted by Gizmo135i

Have you changed the oil with oem oil/filter? Usually the valve cover is the issue but I’ve also seen crappy aftermarket filters cause oil pressure fluctuations that cause issues with the vanos which could create excessive crankcase vacuum. The excess vacuum causes the whistle noise through the front or rear crank seal.

Also while it’s running and making the noise try removing the oil cap. The cap should come off relatively easily. If it feels stuck and the noise goes away when you take it off then the issue is excess crankcase vacuum. If you remove the oil cap and the noise persists then there is something else going on like a bad pulley.

Thanks. I've done hours of research on the issue. Do you have firsthand experience with this issue? I did change the oil right after buying the car in October with the OEM filter. As I understand it, the N55 has something like 2.5x more vacuum, and when I remove the oil cap it's not overwhelming. Noise still persists with oil cap off. I think the alternator pulley is next on my list.

[Gizmo135i]

Originally Posted by TWO STEP TEX

Thanks. I've done hours of research on the issue. Do you have firsthand experience with this issue? I did change the oil right after buying the car in October with the OEM filter. As I understand it, the N55 has something like 2.5x more vacuum, and when I remove the oil cap it's not overwhelming. Noise still persists with oil cap off. I think the alternator pulley is next on my list.

Yea I’ve seen a lot of them, I’m a BMW tech. If the noise doesn’t go away when you take the cap off then it’s something else.

[TWO STEP TEX]

Originally Posted by Gizmo135i

Yea I’ve seen a lot of them, I’m a BMW tech. If the noise doesn’t go away when you take the cap off then it’s something else.

OMG THANK YOU. I know my way around a car but this is my first BMW. I can't seem to find a trustworthy shop up here in NYC so I'm doing all the work myself. Took the car to a recommended BMW specialist and it didn't end well. If you, or anyone reading this have any recommendations please holler.

[TWO STEP TEX]

Originally Posted by TWO STEP TEX

OMG THANK YOU. I know my way around a car but this is my first BMW. I can't seem to find a trustworthy shop up here in NYC so I'm doing all the work myself. Took the car to a recommended BMW specialist and it didn't end well. If you, or anyone reading this have any recommendations please holler.

UPDATE:

Changed idler pulley and belt, no more chirping. Was able to do it with the fan in also. Thanks for the help.

[oneBIGtoe]

Originally Posted by TWO STEP TEX

UPDATE:

Changed idler pulley and belt, no more chirping. Was able to do it with the fan in also. Thanks for the help.

In your OG post you said you changed this already?? Or am I misreading.

This would have been my first place to check.

[TWO STEP TEX]

Originally Posted by oneBIGtoe

In your OG post you said you changed this already?? Or am I misreading.

This would have been my first place to check.

Nope. Like I said, took it to a shop and they said belt and pulleys were fine. To be fair, upon inspection they looked ok to me.