[Three20i]

Hello all,

Unfortunately, I believe I have begun to fear the worst. I have been hearing an extremely loud wailing/whining sound while accelerating in my car since last night and into today.

Just started running BM3 Stage 2 with FBO supporting mods and turbo back straight pipe. Car is at 113k miles now and has had regular maintenance all around.

I have included videos of the sounds I have been hearing:

Is my timing chain on the way out the door, or is there some type of boost leak? I know having a straight pipe setup with an intake can really bring the turbo sound out, but I don't think that's the sound I'm hearing.

It isn't related to the accessory belt, I've already replaced the tensioner assembly and belt and I still get this wailing sound.

I only get the wail when throttle is being applied and have only observed the sound at lower RPMs. As of right now, the car drives extremely smoothly otherwise so I am very confused.

Someone mentioned that it might be my PCV getting stuck, as I had a valve cover gasket leak that I had fixed but didn't change the cover itself.

In my opinion, I don't think it sounds like this:

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[Billfitz]

The sound in the last clip is timing chain, and you need to be in that same position to hear it, not the driver's seat.

[Three20i]

Thanks for the reply man. With that being said, I don't get the notorious "whine" upon startup or when standing in the position in the video above.

I just edited my post to say that someone mentioned that it might be my PCV getting stuck, being that I fixed a valve cover gasket leak and not the valve cover itself. They also think the turbo could be going bad.

[RMachuca3d]

doesnt sound like TC to me

[aL_bmwf30]

Anyone that has slack on their timing chain or hears the whine or loud timing chain, please go to www.nhtsa.gov and file a complaint.. timing chains failing at 50k to 80K miles is unacceptable especially from a pricey brand like bmw. There needs to be a recall.

[Billfitz]

In light of the extended warranty, with full coverage to 70,000 miles and partial coverage to 100,000 miles, there won't be a recall.

[aL_bmwf30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

In light of the extended warranty, with full coverage to 70,000 miles and partial coverage to 100,000 miles, there won't be a recall.

Because we have guys like you saying there wont be a recall? Do you work for bmw or something? Timing chain failing at 100k or 110K miles when you have changed the oil every 5k miles and haven't abused the car is still unacceptable. If you can't support the cause and us as consumers don't comment at all.

[Billfitz]

I don't work for BMW. I did work for Ford. If there was basis for a recall it would have happened long ago. There are hundreds of components in any car that have a service life of 100k miles or less. The timing chain is one of them.

[zeikei]

Originally Posted by Three20i

Thanks for the reply man. With that being said, I don't get the notorious "whine" upon startup or when standing in the position in the video above.

I just edited my post to say that someone mentioned that it might be my PCV getting stuck, being that I fixed a valve cover gasket leak and not the valve cover itself. They also think the turbo could be going bad.

I would say the sound source is not directly mechanical like TC or turbo itself, to me it sounds like air leaking thru a seal. So either PCV related or a boost leak.

[Three20i]

I love this community so much. Thanks for the responses, guys. You've (mostly) quelled my main fear. Too bad I'm mainly a lurker, haha.

@zeikei, I had my intake out the other day for cleaning and so I went ahead and ran my hands all along the charge pipes, inlet pipe, etc just to confirm no leak while I was in there and found no such breach, thankfully.

I'm having the car looked at today. I've started with ordering the PCV valve repair kit and will likely have that installed tomorrow. I will report back with the verdict.

[Three20i]

Originally Posted by Three20i

I love this community so much. Thanks for the responses, guys. You've (mostly) quelled my main fear. Too bad I'm mainly a lurker, haha.

@zeikei, I had my intake out the other day for cleaning and so I went ahead and ran my hands all along the charge pipes, inlet pipe, etc just to confirm no leak while I was in there and found no such breach, thankfully.

I'm having the car looked at today. I've started with ordering the PCV valve repair kit and will likely have that installed tomorrow. I will report back with the verdict.

Just got back from my mechanic. Turns out that the turbo is in fact going bad. OBDII scanner read an error code for the wastegate, stating that it's partially closing and is "sluggish." Ordered a new turbo which should be here by Friday and likely installed Saturday. Well, at least we know what the issue is.

[illusionx]

Originally Posted by Three20i

Just got back from my mechanic. Turns out that the turbo is in fact going bad. OBDII scanner read an error code for the wastegate, stating that it's partially closing and is "sluggish." Ordered a new turbo which should be here by Friday and likely installed Saturday. Well, at least we know what the issue is.

If you have a SULEV the turbo may be covered please check.

[Billfitz]

Not in Florida.

[Three20i]

Yeah, unfortunately I don't have SULEV anyway.

I'm satisfied with having gone almost 120k miles on the stock snail. It was clearly time for a swap—found a lightly used turbo on Automotix for $235 shipped.

[dfwF30bmw]

I thought recalls were for safety issues (brakes, windshield wipers, cruise control, tail lights, frame cracking, bad wiring) not just because something breaks before it really should. I could be wrong. However, I do support the TC issues and forcing BMW to make it right since it is such a fatal failure for most of us.

[MidMoF30]

No value to my post, but in your first video it sounds like R2D2

Thanks for sharing the remedy!