Driveline Whine F85

[kkowalsk]

Hello All;

Do any of you notice a faint whine when under light to no load or when beginning to coast before deceleration? Most noticeable at highway speeds when lightly letting off the throttle or when cruse control enabled. Seems like it may be coming from the rear diff however tough to tell.

No noise on deceleration or acceleration. However on the highway if I purposely lightly feather the throttle I can maintain the whine.

Seems to be where the driveline is freewheeling between the load of acceleration or deceleration. It’s kinda annoying or I have sensitive ears.

I asked the dealer to check the last time it was in for service and they said they didn’t hear anything abnormal and all was fine.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[nishfish87]

I think I have the same situation when I'm cruising around 70-80mph. I need to replicate it again to be sure.

[musa]

Sounds like time to flash the driveline fluids. It'll get louder and louder with time. Had this issue on my old E53 X5 (2005). It could also be your tires.

[Yuille36]

That is why it's so important to change out your transmission, transfer case, front and rear differentials fluids, these aren't lifetime fluids, contrary to the propaganda that BMW disperses.

[kkowalsk]

It currently has 35k and I need to go check the service records however think the diff fluid was changed by the prior owner. Not sure if that service included the all diff fluids or just a portion.

Do you think even at lower mileage it’s good to push to change the trans case fluid?

Tires were also new by prior owner ~4-5k miles ago. OEM size, type and correctly aired.

[Yuille36]

In many cases the transfer case is overlooked as compared to the trans or the diffs. It wouldn't hurt to change it, especially if you have no records of it ever being changed. And I wouldn't think you would have records, as BMW doesn't change these fluids unless there was an issue. I recommend changing your fluids every 4 yrs or 40K

[640ijims]

Tires, based on personal experience , new tires with 7,000 miles, MPSS fronts 39# & wear ( with good alignment) will be even across board. Rears, I ran the new (@ same time) set at 39# & found inside and outside edges at 7/32nds and two inner treads at 8/32nds…. Perhaps under inflated. As I will replace one rear on Saturday due to road hazard, I'm going to try 42# (hate to do this..hope ride does not turn harsh. I set pressures every Saturday AM with verified gages and bicycle pump.

[Yuille36]

I've been running 41 psi in the fronts and 43 psi in the rears, and I had been having even wear across the entire tire surface, and about two weeks ago recently swapped out for new tires.

[640ijims]

Good to know

[Yuille36]

But I'm running Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus, and not Michelin Pilot Super Sport, just so you know.

[m3fuz]

Originally Posted by kkowalsk

It currently has 35k and I need to go check the service records however think the diff fluid was changed by the prior owner. Not sure if that service included the all diff fluids or just a portion.

Do you think even at lower mileage it’s good to push to change the trans case fluid?

Tires were also new by prior owner ~4-5k miles ago. OEM size, type and correctly aired.

I just did my 35K service and the rear differential fluid flush was part of it.

[musa]

On my old 2005 X5, that noise specifically came from the transfer case. Dealer wanted to replaced it for thousands of $$ but a friendly SA tipped me that changing the transfer case fluid would fix it. I did and also ran service function for transfer case fluid flash - it does something to the clutch packs. The whining noise gradually subsided over 300 miles.

[kkowalsk]

Sounds like a trans case service may be in order. Can’t hurt.

Also going to try the tire pressures recommended.

How do you like the Continental’s compared to the Pilot SS’s?

[Yuille36]

The thing is that BMW will not recommend fluid exchanges, because there propaganda states lifetime fluids. Find yourself an independent shop that will do it. Having owned many European vehicles over the years, I have never bought into that BS.

The Continentals aren't bad, they don't offer the grip that MPSS have. But when you live in a state that gets light to medium amounts of snow, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus are hard to beat. Besides I don't drive my X5M the way it was meant to be driven

[Yuille36]

Here's another thought, don't change your fluids. Then watch how much it costs you when you end up at the dealership

[kkowalsk]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

Here's another thought, don't change your fluids. Then watch how much it costs you when you end up at the dealership

My driveline whine seems to be happening longer now. Previously it only was shortly on decel now it happens on decel, light throttle coasting and I can keep it whining especially over 75MPH. The dealer checked it twice and said it's normal.

So I jacked it up tonight to see if I could find anything that seemed off.

Not sure if this is the issue however found the transfer case is seeping and covered in oil.

Why in the heck didn't the dealer see this when it was in for this issue and an oil change.

Going to get it in since it's still under warranty and hopefully it's not damaged.

[m3ntalATX]

kkowalsk - here was my noise and result https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1855049

[Yuille36]

That seeping could be your cause for the driveline whine, especially if it has gone on for a long time, the fluids in the transfer case could be low.

[kkowalsk]

I agree. Being under warranty I had it in 2X in 5mo with this being one of the issues. Both times I'm told it's normal.

Last time in was just a month ago and can't imagine it sprung up since considering the dirt in the oil on the case. How do they miss that when doing an oil change, brakes and to check for driveline issues.

**Note to all if you plan to keep your car past warranty crawl all over and under it to see if anything looks in need of attention. Don't trust the dealer will do it.

[Blue By You]

Originally Posted by kkowalsk

I agree. Being under warranty I had it in 2X in 5mo with this being one of the issues. Both times I'm told it's normal.

Last time in was just a month ago and can't imagine it sprung up since considering the dirt in the oil on the case. How do they miss that when doing an oil change, brakes and to check for driveline issues.

**Note to all if you plan to keep your car past warranty crawl all over and under it to see if anything looks in need of attention. Don't trust the dealer will do it.

Agreed!

I had my indy BMW-specific performance shop run through my M for new plugs, all fluid refresh, and a "pre-warranty-inspection" to catch any issues that can be addressed under BMW CPO warranty as part of my 50K service.

[kkowalsk]

Car went in today and the oil on transfer case was a hydraulic mount that ruptured.

The driveline noise they told me the same thing a prior 2X that everything is normal, it's a M, basically a race car and they make more noises. Asked for a Tech ride-along. Super nice guy.

Long story short we go for a ride, get on the freeway and he can hear the noise and says, "that's not normal". You have to listen for it however he definitely said something is not right and they need to instrument it up find where its coming from. Progress!!

It also was due for plugs, filters, wipers and an oil change so that was great to get done under warranty.

[kkowalsk]

Dealer says the oil on the transfer case is the rubber mount and it's hydraulic.

Looking at that part I question if it's really fluid filled and the correct diagnosis. Looks like a rubber mount to me.

Thoughts please?