low sounding "growl" when accelerating. Strange..

tacoman · 01-16-2018, 12:24 PM

Figured I'd throw this out the experts..
Cant really find a solid example via search..

I get this sound....front the right (passenger) side of engine bay.....when under load/throttle engaged. When car is sitting idle I don't hear anything...

When I drive (normally) in traffic (lets say 30 to 50 mph)....I hit the throttle and I hear a low rumble/buzz/grin sound (passenger side). I lay off the throttle and it goes away. Car must be moving in order to hear it. You don't hear anything when car is parked and I engage the throttle.

Don't know really how to articulate the sound.
Its not a whistle for sure. NOt a bang, boom, chirp, knock or clank. Its like a low sounding growl/slight grind of something..Something might be loose.. I dunno.

Only hear it when I hit the throttle...and the car is warm.
I thought it was the front passenger side wheel bearing....but ruled that out as the bearing noise would be constant vs only audible when throttle is engaged.

Reminder...if car is parked...and throttle engaged, I don't hear anything. The car has to be moving.

Any thoughts before I visit the dealer for my annual (I still have 1 year of warranty left...so I still visit the local dealer)? Will have tech ride with me so I can pinpoint the sound.
Oh...I did have the dealer install a new block @ 14 mos ago (rod bearings froze while the dealer had my car in for DCT sensor replacement). I only have @ 7k miles on the new engine. 43k on the chassis.
Throwing that in...

Thoughts?

DSilk · 01-16-2018, 02:03 PM

Perhaps some portion of the exhaust is in contact with the subframe when the engine is under load. The fact that you only hear it when the engine has warmed up a bit could be due to expansion of the metal pieces as they get hot. Moreover the engine shifts differently on its mounts under load than it does when revved up in neutral.

atopa2002 · 01-16-2018, 02:47 PM

Power steering pump , check your fluid level

tacoman · 01-16-2018, 05:18 PM

Thanks to you both!

Checked power steering...its below the "bottom mark".
Never occurred to me to check that.
I thought when PS fluid was low you got a whining sound when turning wheels?

Either way it goes....will top it off and see what happens.
If noise persists....could be what Dsilk suggested.

GRM Scott · 01-17-2018, 03:14 PM

Heard exactly the same thing for the first time last week; after taking a corner with some vigor, there was a growl (low whine almost) as the engine wound down past 2500rpm to idle with the clutch in, or with a gear engaged at those revs. It's been periodic; today, I heard it a bit louder than before, and there was a distinct faint buzz coming through the steering wheel at about the same frequency as the growl. Checked the reservoir and it's below the MIN line. 49k miles.

Pig Farmer · 01-17-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRM Scott

Heard exactly the same thing for the first time last week; after taking a corner with some vigor, there was a growl (low whine almost) as the engine wound down past 2500rpm to idle with the clutch in, or with a gear engaged at those revs. It's been periodic; today, I heard it a bit louder than before, and there was a distinct faint buzz coming through the steering wheel at about the same frequency as the growl. Checked the reservoir and it's below the MIN line. 49k miles.

I had the same exact experience two weeks ago. I picked up two liters of CFH 11s at Pep Boys for approximately $40. Sucked out the old fluid with a vacuum pump, refilled the reservior with new fluid, turned the wheel lock-to-lock a couple times, and repeated these steps 4 times. No more noise and steering is smooth as ever. Took all of 20 minutes.

SDPLV · 01-17-2018, 11:29 PM

Crazy, just noticed mine was acting up as well. And a few days ago as I was topping the washer fluid, I noticed the steering reservoir seemed to have leaked out a bit. Been meaning to fill it.

pekane · 01-18-2018, 06:21 PM

I get that low sounding growl when accelerating in too high of a gear. In other words, when under more load than usual. Downshifting eliminates the noise. Sometimes I actually like that growl.....

SDPLV · 01-18-2018, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pekane

I get that low sounding growl when accelerating in too high of a gear. In other words, when under more load than usual. Downshifting eliminates the noise. Sometimes I actually like that growl.....

Sounds like you need an oil change.

01-16-2018, 12:24 PM	#1
tacoman First Lieutenant 85 Rep 356 Posts Drives: 1989 E30 M3 and 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	low sounding "growl" when accelerating. Strange.. Figured I'd throw this out the experts.. Cant really find a solid example via search.. I get this sound....front the right (passenger) side of engine bay.....when under load/throttle engaged. When car is sitting idle I don't hear anything... When I drive (normally) in traffic (lets say 30 to 50 mph)....I hit the throttle and I hear a low rumble/buzz/grin sound (passenger side). I lay off the throttle and it goes away. Car must be moving in order to hear it. You don't hear anything when car is parked and I engage the throttle. Don't know really how to articulate the sound. Its not a whistle for sure. NOt a bang, boom, chirp, knock or clank. Its like a low sounding growl/slight grind of something..Something might be loose.. I dunno. Only hear it when I hit the throttle...and the car is warm. I thought it was the front passenger side wheel bearing....but ruled that out as the bearing noise would be constant vs only audible when throttle is engaged. Reminder...if car is parked...and throttle engaged, I don't hear anything. The car has to be moving. Any thoughts before I visit the dealer for my annual (I still have 1 year of warranty left...so I still visit the local dealer)? Will have tech ride with me so I can pinpoint the sound. Oh...I did have the dealer install a new block @ 14 mos ago (rod bearings froze while the dealer had my car in for DCT sensor replacement). I only have @ 7k miles on the new engine. 43k on the chassis. Throwing that in... Thoughts?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-16-2018, 02:03 PM	#2
DSilk Major 550 Rep 1,148 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Jaguar XJ [0.00] 2015 Jaguar XF [0.00] 2014 VW GTI [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00] 2007 VW Passat 2.0T [0.00]	Perhaps some portion of the exhaust is in contact with the subframe when the engine is under load. The fact that you only hear it when the engine has warmed up a bit could be due to expansion of the metal pieces as they get hot. Moreover the engine shifts differently on its mounts under load than it does when revved up in neutral.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2018, 02:47 PM	#3
atopa2002 Lieutenant 204 Rep 542 Posts Drives: Z3M, 2013 e92 M3, F15 X5 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Richmond,VA iTrader: (2)	Power steering pump , check your fluid level
	Appreciate 1 simple2010141.50 Quote

01-16-2018, 05:18 PM	#4
tacoman First Lieutenant 85 Rep 356 Posts Drives: 1989 E30 M3 and 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks to you both! Checked power steering...its below the "bottom mark". Never occurred to me to check that. I thought when PS fluid was low you got a whining sound when turning wheels? Either way it goes....will top it off and see what happens. If noise persists....could be what Dsilk suggested.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-17-2018, 03:14 PM	#5
GRM Scott Private 84 Rep 71 Posts Drives: SpecE30 (sold) / E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Heard exactly the same thing for the first time last week; after taking a corner with some vigor, there was a growl (low whine almost) as the engine wound down past 2500rpm to idle with the clutch in, or with a gear engaged at those revs. It's been periodic; today, I heard it a bit louder than before, and there was a distinct faint buzz coming through the steering wheel at about the same frequency as the growl. Checked the reservoir and it's below the MIN line. 49k miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-17-2018, 11:29 PM	#7
SDPLV Major 493 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Crazy, just noticed mine was acting up as well. And a few days ago as I was topping the washer fluid, I noticed the steering reservoir seemed to have leaked out a bit. Been meaning to fill it. __________________ Current: 08 E90 M3 DCT SSII w/ BE RB Swap, H8 Lux 180s, MS Drop-in AF, CF spoiler, CF diffuser, OEM CF leather trim, CF DCT paddles, Custom DCT flatbottom wheel, MirrorTap 9500ix, RockAuto rotors, Hawk HPS pads, AMS ECU 93 Oct Map Tune, GTS DCT update, Slambo custom undertray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2018, 06:21 PM	#8
pekane Very Old M3 Guy 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (0)	I get that low sounding growl when accelerating in too high of a gear. In other words, when under more load than usual. Downshifting eliminates the noise. Sometimes I actually like that growl.....
	Appreciate 0 Quote