[f30paul]

Hi, I’m really hoping someone here has an idea what’s going on!

Firstly, no warning lights, driving normally at all times, but when idling I get one or two things: firstly a gravelly sound when revving slightly to 1,000 and back off, and secondly (sometimes) an almost gravelly slow helicopter sound when left to idle - I really need to video that when it’s happening so you get to hear it!

Anyway I’ve put this YouTube video link here, which demonstrates hopefully that you can hear the engine idling normally but also this rough undertone, especially when letting off the gas. It’s also this noise I hear rhythmically on idling sometimes.

Car is under warranty with BMW insured, but as everything else seems fine with the car, if there’s a problem I’d like it to develop to be identified easily!

if anyone mechanically minded has any idea, I’m all-ears! Thanks in advance

https://youtube.com/shorts/fJMWEdPnRoA?feature=share

[Sasquartch]

It doesnt sound too bad, it's very difficult to capture things like this with a phone but sounds like the usual injector noise

If you could capture the helicopter sound that might give us more to go on but you really need to be able to reproduce it and with the engine cover off try and isolate the general area it's coming from

[ads_ali]

Do you get a electronic beep sound ?

[f30paul]

Thanks for the responses.

No electronic beep sound, but will get a much better recording when I can next find the opportunity. Being a 330e I’m hardly ever idling stationery, with the engine running. And it drives more than fine when it’s on the move!

Thanks very much for the replies, and will post back when I have something else to report.

Thanks

[330Stevie]

If the noise is audible to you then it will be to the tech at your dealer. So I’d just get it booked in esp as you have bmw insured warranty which I’ve found in the past to be excellent. Booking times are probably a while so noise may develop more by then.
From my experience if they can identify a noise they’ll focus in on it and draw their own conclusion rather than act on what a customer tells them they think it is.
If they can’t hear it then you’ll struggle. Have you compared it with another same engine. This is also what they will do

[Leapr]

Originally Posted by f30paul

Thanks for the responses.

No electronic beep sound, but will get a much better recording when I can next find the opportunity. Being a 330e I’m hardly ever idling stationery, with the engine running. And it drives more than fine when it’s on the move!

Thanks very much for the replies, and will post back when I have something else to report.

Thanks

Hey there I am wondering if you have had this inspected by BMW yet? I have a 2017 330E with the exact same issue, started happening sometime infrequently over the summer now it's happening most times I start the car, It's such a weird one as the car drives fine and it happens loudly at idle but sometimes I can start the car and it sits idling fine without the noise which makes it hard for me to take to a mechanic as the issue usually doesn't show! :/

[Allworth]

sounds like a normal noise of a diesel to me
what mileage you got?

[Armaan]

Originally Posted by Allworth

sounds like a normal noise of a diesel to me
what mileage you got?

The B48 is a petrol engine…

[Allworth]

Originally Posted by Armaan

The B48 is a petrol engine…

Still sounds like a diesel!

[Sasquartch]

Originally Posted by Allworth

Still sounds like a diesel!

Rude

(although the predecessor to the B48, the N20, definitely did sound like a diesel at idle)

[sensible]

have had a B48 320i and now have a B48 420i GC. That doesn't sound right at all, but can't help with what it might be.

[sl13]

I'd put my money on the water pump pulley or tensioner. Whip the belt off and have a feel of the pullies...

[MTA32]

Hi, did you find out what the problem was?
I have exactly the same noise.
Vehicle: 320i B48