Whining noise at idle?

[E30_Narek]

Hey guys, I've been having this problem ever since I had the water pump, timing belt, and accessory belts changed but I just assumed it would go away after a while. I've been driving on these fresh parts for ~3k miles but the whining/whirring sound at idle is still there. If I rev my engine, it kind of sounds like a supercharger. The whining noise at idle comes on after the engine has warmed up. The car runs fine, doesn't hesitate and accelerates great. The whining noise is quite loud. The exhaust I have is pretty loud and I could hear the whining/whirring noise if I stand behind my car. The noises are coming from the front of the engine and I believe it has to do with one of the accessory belts or a pulley. What could be the problem?

[TobyB]

I would be worried that the timing belt was misaligned/too tight/had a bad idler etc and
I'd take it all apart again.

But first, with the engine cold, take all the other belts off and see if it's quiet. That rules them out.

t

[E30_Narek]

I would be worried that the timing belt was misaligned/too tight/had a bad idler etc and
I'd take it all apart again.

But first, with the engine cold, take all the other belts off and see if it's quiet. That rules them out.

t

I was afraid it's the timing belt. That's one of the only things I wouldn't trust myself doing and I'm not looking forward to spending more money getting it done again :(.

[berlow94]

I would think its the voltage regulator in your alternator. Pop your accessory belt off and see if the noise goes away

[E30-325iS]

It's probably the fan clutch. You can safely remove it and go for a short drive to confirm if it is causing the problem.

[E30_Narek]

It's probably the fan clutch. You can safely remove it and go for a short drive to confirm if it is causing the problem.

I have an electric fan.

[ahlem]

If you put the two parts of the timing belt cover on with the wrong one overlapping outward, it causes scraping that sounds like what you are describing. I did this once and thought I'd killed something.

[crappycoco]

Does it sound like this?



I have the same problem, and its driving me crazy

[ahlem]

I'd get a stethoscope and start probing.

[E30_Narek]

Does it sound like this?



I have the same problem, and its driving me crazy

Yeah mine sounds like that when revved but the idle noise is different.

[crappycoco]

Any updates?

[E30_Narek]

Any updates?

Not much, but the weird noise at idle seems to have dumbed down. Might just be my imagination, though.

[pandaiswong]

I'm thinking the tension on the timing belt may be too tight depending on the method they used when they changed it. It really isn't very difficult to tear into your car and do it yourself if it comes down to it.

[rturbo 930]

I just put my car back together, and I have a similar sound - like you said, like a little supercharger! I wish. It goes up with revs. I was thinking alternator, but I guess it could be the timing belt? I did it by the book, and just let the spring set the tension. Didn't seem like it was too tight, but I don't know. Makes no difference hot/cold for my issue though. I noticed it immediately on the first drive.

[pandaiswong]

I just put my car back together, and I have a similar sound - like you said, like a little supercharger! I wish. It goes up with revs. I was thinking alternator, but I guess it could be the timing belt? I did it by the book, and just let the spring set the tension. Didn't seem like it was too tight, but I don't know. Makes no difference hot/cold for my issue though. I noticed it immediately on the first drive.

Did you turn the crank over when you were setting the tension?