"whine" noise coming from timing case M30b35

[strad]

This engine is not a swap -- it's installed in an E34 535i. But I thought I'd throw this up here and see if I get some ideas.

This noise is louder when engine is cold, softer (barely audible but still present) when engine is hot. I'd compare it to the sound a supercharger makes, but a lot softer even at its loudest. Using a steth, it's quite apparent when I put it on the timing chain tensioner retainer bolt, softer when I put it on the head. I can't hear it on any of the accessories.

So far I've:

checked oil pressure -- oil pressure is good (over 30 psi with engine idling warm but not hot, running 10W40).

Run the engine briefly without any belts on -- noise is still present.

replaced timing chain tensioner piston and spring. old tensioner had a wear groove on the face where it contacts the rail (about a 16 inch deep and as wide as the part of the rail that rides on it). Noise no different after replacement.

I've owned this car for 30k miles and it only recently started making this noise. So I know it's not "normal" but I don't know what to look at next.

Was thinking about doing an oil pan gasket replacement (needs it) and inspecting the oil pump.

Edit: I also inspected, best I could, the guide rail and the tensioner rail. There are no obvious problems with either of them.

Any ideas?

[Grand525]

[strad]

I'm having trouble orienting myself to that picture I suppose if I'd taken one of these apart before it'd make perfect sense. I understand the wear mark is from the timing chain but I'm not clear on the way it would happen. I guess part of my problem is that I do not have a coolant pipe there on mine -- is that an older M30?

[penneroyal]

I have this noise as well, but its less frequent, almost random. Grand525, can you explain the picture?

[frankenbeemer]

I have this noise as well, but its less frequent, almost random. Grand525, can you explain the picture?

x2, I see it looks like the timing case has been grooved by what I assume was a double row chain, but I don't see how it got there. The tensioner in the top pic, is it broken? It looks OK to me. More details?

[Grand525]

Check your water pump, bad impeller shaft could make a strange whine?

[strad]

Well I ran it without any of the belts, so I've eliminated the water pump as a source of the noise. The noise is present without any of the accessories spinning.

[wannaBMthree]

Well I ran it without any of the belts, so I've eliminated the water pump as a source of the noise. The noise is present without any of the accessories spinning.

Have same Whine with my b35/e30, bought a new water pump and was about to replace it...

[strad]

Haha damn. It looks like I might have to be the one to do the write-up lol! I was hoping somebody else who had this whine in the timing case had investigated and found the cause.

I'm only really concerned about taking the 36 mm crank nut off. The rest of the job doesn't really worry me too much.

[yert315]

36mm socket. breaker bar with a long cheater pipe. Keep car in gear with e-brake and go at it

[Grand525]

Are you sure it isn't the power steering pump whine?

[strad]

Are you sure it isn't the power steering pump whine?

Come on, you're making me laugh! In my op I said I ran it without any of the belts. So noise was present without ps pump in operation.

[Grand525]

Sorry, i mean Oil Pump.

[strad]

Ahh. Well in that case, no I'm not sure. I don't know how to definitely determine that without some disassembly. So oil pump is a possibility, and if I do work I'll start with removal of the oil pan (since I need to replace the gasket anyways). And while I was in there I'd check out the oil pump. I know the oil pump is producing pressure in spec. Just not whether it's the source of the noise.