[Etlafond]

Hello everyone.

This is my first time posting here, so please tell me if I'm not in the correct thread or if I did anything wrong.

Ive had my car for a couple months now, and a few weeks ago I started hearing a rattle when I was reversing at my job's indoor parking.

I've noticed that it does the same "rattle" when accelerating lightly from a standstill. The sound is only there for a fraction of a seconds.

If I put my car in park / neutral and rev it lightly, you can hear the rattle as well.

I do have wastegate rattles (EWG) but that is a completely different sound.

Here is a link to a video that I made this morning, you can hear the sound a bit better towards the middle of the video.

Do you have an idea of what that could be? maybe a pulley or something?

Let me know if you guys need any other info.

Thanks!

[upsidedownfunnel]

Does it happen even after the car is warmed up?

[Etlafond]

Yes, it happens on cold start, or after a long drive.

It is not speed dependant, well, the sound is only there when I slightly rev the engine on neutral or park, and if I'm reversing the sound is there only for a fraction of a second, same thing when in 1st gear, sound is only there when I initially press the throttle lighlty and disappear right away.

[jh_f30]

Possibly the belt tensioner? There have been a number of posts about the tensioners starting to wiggle/jiggle. If you can get someone to blip the throttle like in the video, you can look under the hood to try to isolate.

[Etlafond]

Thanks!

I will have a look at it this evening and let you guys know of the outcome.

It would kind of make sense since the issue is only when the engine seems to start revving lightly and only reproduces once the engine returns to idle.

[cfm56d7b]

N55 engines had experienced a very rare problem where connecting rod bearings were wearing out prematurely. The main symptom was a persistent ticking sound - often difficult to hear - at idle speeds. Oil analysis performed by the dealer revealed excessive metal shavings and then BMW (NA in in the US) engaged to work the dealer. The engine had to be replaced.

This may or may not your problem of course. Worth researching and perhaps getting oil analysis done.

Is your vehicle under warranty: factory or aftermarket?

[cfm56d7b]

You might want to ask the moderators to move this thread to N55 subform to increase visibility and get more responses.

[Etlafond]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay, been super busy with work etc..

I finally was able to find out what the issue was.

It's indeed the belt tensioner wiggling / jiggling for a fraction of second as soon as there is load applied to the engine.

I will order a new tensioner + belt and change that next weekend.

Called BMW sherbrooke ( QC, Canada ) and they quoted me $234 for the tensioner and $77 for the belt.

I have close family that works at a NAPA so I got both for $190, that's not too bad.

Thanks everyone!