[Bmo567]

I know that this topic has been beaten to death, but I'm a new BMW owner looking for some help.

I recently purchased a 2013 328i in December with 81k miles on it. The car was driving perfectly for about a month, but I could tell the battery was worn out and it was having a hard time starting at times.

Anyway, last week, I was pulling into the garage with an incline driveway and the engine made a pretty rough screeching noise when I gave it some gas to get uphill. The next time I went to start it, it turned over for a few seconds and then the engine died with the Drivetrain malfunction warning. I had it towed to an independent, paid a diagnosis fee, and left it with them overnight. They diagnosed it as a dead battery, replaced it and it started up again.

In the meantime, I've really been researching this timing chain issue as that's what I thought the problem was at first. The car starts fine now, but it does have a pretty loud engine noise.

I've recorded the sound here:

Do you think it's the typical timing chain issue? I don't want to pay another $250+ to get an official BMW diagnosis if this is a normal noise.

[Steakpizza]

Video is unavailable homie

[Bmo567]

Originally Posted by Steakpizza

Video is unavailable homie

Should be fixed now, I think it was set to private by default.

[bpwj76]

Sounds like the A/C clutch or tensioner pulley noise that my X3 with the N20 motor is making. Mine stops making the noise when I switch off the A/C. Have an appointment at the dealer next Friday. Will update here with their findings.

Turn off the A/C and see if the noise immediately stops.

[Bmo567]

Originally Posted by bpwj76

Sounds like the A/C clutch or tensioner pulley noise that my X3 with the N20 motor is making. Mine stops making the noise when I switch off the A/C. Have an appointment at the dealer next Friday. Will update here with their findings.

Turn off the A/C and see if the noise immediately stops.

Did you hear back from your dealer about a diagnosis?

[bpwj76]

Originally Posted by Bmo567

Did you hear back from your dealer about a diagnosis?

Yes. I made an appointment for 2/21/20 to take it in. On 2/16/20 the CEL came on. The car was exhibiting no adverse symptoms at all. I read the OBD and it showed a code of P1290. I called the dealer the next day and they said if the car is not acting up, then it was fine to drive until my appointment on 2/21/20.

After having the car about half the day on 2/21/20, they told me it needed a new turbo. They ordered the parts, but not until Monday 2/24/20 and they just finished everything yesterday. I am supposed to pick it up today.

Back to the original reason for my appointment... the pulley/tensioner/whatever whining noise. They say they couldn't hear it, of course. Now I wonder if it had something to do with the turbo going out. I will find out today.

[Bmo567]

Originally Posted by bpwj76

Yes. I made an appointment for 2/21/20 to take it in. On 2/16/20 the CEL came on. The car was exhibiting no adverse symptoms at all. I read the OBD and it showed a code of P1290. I called the dealer the next day and they said if the car is not acting up, then it was fine to drive until my appointment on 2/21/20.

After having the car about half the day on 2/21/20, they told me it needed a new turbo. They ordered the parts, but not until Monday 2/24/20 and they just finished everything yesterday. I am supposed to pick it up today.

Back to the original reason for my appointment... the pulley/tensioner/whatever whining noise. They say they couldn't hear it, of course. Now I wonder if it had something to do with the turbo going out. I will find out today.

Not great news, but thank you for the reply. I was hoping they would've confirmed it as the benign oil pump noise that many N20s develop.

Luckily, I just got a trade in offer for more than what I paid so I'm just gonna get sell it and move on. I think I've realised I'm just too risk averse for an older german car.

[bpwj76]

Got the car back yesterday and all is well. New turbo installed and oil changed. The whining noise I assumed was A/C related must have been the turbo going out. No more noise.

My CPO Wrap warranty expires 9/30/21 or at 999,999 miles, so I feel better about having some more time on my coverage.