[smithf80]

I just noticed this today driving around for the first time in a while with the radio off and the windows up.

Under hard acceleration, figure 2nd or 3rd gear, between 2-4krpms usually, I will hear what almost sounds like a tapping or clicking coming from the engine bay/passenger footwell area. As soon as I let off the gas, the noise stops, and it only happens under load if I'm using boost, if I'm just driving around normally and not trying to floor it/use a lot of boost, it doesn't really happen or isn't happening at a level that is noticeable.

I've seemed to find other similar accounts of this on the forums, but some people say it's normal, some people say it's not and they haven't had a resolution, and one person actually managed to get a dealer buyback over this.

I worry that something might be up with the turbo, since the sound seems to have a direct correlation to using heavy boost, but the car has no problem making power.

Has anyone else experienced this and had a resolution, or decided to just live with it with no side effects?

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by smithf80

I just noticed this today driving around for the first time in a while with the radio off and the windows up.

Under hard acceleration, figure 2nd or 3rd gear, between 2-4krpms usually, I will hear what almost sounds like a tapping or clicking coming from the engine bay/passenger footwell area. As soon as I let off the gas, the noise stops, and it only happens under load if I'm using boost, if I'm just driving around normally and not trying to floor it/use a lot of boost, it doesn't really happen or isn't happening at a level that is noticeable.

I've seemed to find other similar accounts of this on the forums, but some people say it's normal, some people say it's not and they haven't had a resolution, and one person actually managed to get a dealer buyback over this.

I worry that something might be up with the turbo, since the sound seems to have a direct correlation to using heavy boost, but the car has no problem making power.

Has anyone else experienced this and had a resolution, or decided to just live with it with no side effects?

Engine no but foot-well yes. I wondered was under the foot-well.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Engine no but foot-well yes. I wondered was under the foot-well.

Yeah, sounds like it's coming from the footwell is what I meant.

[SoCalCarGuy]

xdrive or rwd? 440i? what are your mods?

[CrushJelly]

Doesn't sound like rattling rocks in a tin can?

[SoCalCarGuy]

Originally Posted by Jahjaman

Doesn't sound like rattling rocks in a tin can?

Wouldn't the knock sensor/timing reduction prevent knock? It sounds like his downpipe/exhaust might be hitting.

[BMWILUVU]

It sounds like there is a gear switch right under the foot-well. Maybe the vibration is just tranfered to the foot-well but if no one else has this then it may be a problem.

[BornATeste]

I hear this too, I've always wondered if this is the wastegate. My understanding of it is that it utilizes a PWM solenoid in order to control boost. It does this by opening a valve in the exhaust housing that is connected to the solenoid via mechanical linkage. If there is any slop in the linkage then it makes sense a metal on metal noise would occur.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by BornATeste

I hear this too, I've always wondered if this is the wastegate. My understanding of it is that it utilizes a PWM solenoid in order to control boost. It does this by opening a valve in the exhaust housing that is connected to the solenoid via mechanical linkage. If there is any slop in the linkage then it makes sense a metal on metal noise would occur.

I suppose this is possible, would make sense given that it only happens under heavy load.


To update all, the dealership has had the car a few days, and the tech can hear the noise, but they said they are having a near impossible time trying to pinpoint it.

[g340ix]

Originally Posted by smithf80

I suppose this is possible, would make sense given that it only happens under heavy load.


To update all, the dealership has had the car a few days, and the tech can hear the noise, but they said they are having a near impossible time trying to pinpoint it.

did you ever figure this out? having the exact same issue

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by g340ix

did you ever figure this out? having the exact same issue

It was the exhaust hitting a shield underneath, I had some exhaust work done at the time.

[g340ix]

Originally Posted by smithf80

It was the exhaust hitting a shield underneath, I had some exhaust work done at the time.

I had my exhaust in and out before I noticed it, once I get a nice day in NY I'll check it out. Thanks

[g340ix]

Did anybody else ever solvethis issue? I'm still chasing it, my exhaust isn't hitting