[robo-n1]

Hi everyone,

I have one problem with my car.
Its 2013, 320i, xdrive, N20B20 engine, 100k miles.
No error code, no loosing power, boost or something.
When im hitting the acceleration, i hear the whine / whistle noise, no matter if its cold or warm engine. I was guessing it can be turbo or charge pipe? But my mechanic checked the turbo and and its totally fine. I will tell him to check the other parts too. There is no lost of power or something, just this annoying noise, sometime i can compare it to a sound from siren, police siren or i dont know. The sound is only hear when im accelerating - the most when im accelerating from 0 (sometimes i can hear it when i have a cruise on 60 mph too but very lightly)

EDIT: Forgot to say, the car is stock, no upgrades.

I m attaching a video too (poor qualitty and not good to hear, but i will try to record a little bit longer in near future)

[bmwchue]

My 328i N26 makes the same sound when accelerating too. I have driven the car for 20k miles but never took it in. I'm on full bolt ons with a tune. I do moniter my logs though.

[Steakpizza]

I would check your Intercooler if you can. I upgraded mine but I didn't have it flush against the brackets you push it into. Would result in a whistle and sometimes a throbbing noise.

[robo-n1]

Thanks for your replies guys. I didnt upgraded nothing. But i can check the intercooler if it is in the correct position (i guess it is, but you never know).

I didnt mention. I have this noise (whistle) for like 6 months, but i didnt have time to solve it. As i said, it does not affect the power, boost or something to the car. Just i hear this annoying sound and it makes me mad.

Anyone have some other solutions what can it be?

[rjd_F30]

My car makes the same sound and has for the past 20k miles, for most of which the car has been FBO. I believe it's normal. The N20 just seems to be a bit whiny naturally.

[JoeyF30]

Mine does that to. It's normal.

[robo-n1]

Nevermind, im uploading one more video, maybe here you can hear it more loud.

When i put the foot off the gas pedal, sound is gone. But as you said, if its normal and you have the same sound, than i think its not a problem (last car i had was more silent and it was diesel, so maybe this was the reason i was thinking something is wrong).

[spirit3d88]

Originally Posted by robo-n1

Nevermind, im uploading one more video, maybe here you can hear it more loud.

When i put the foot off the gas pedal, sound is gone. But as you said, if its normal and you have the same sound, than i think its not a problem (last car i had was more silent and it was diesel, so maybe this was the reason i was thinking something is wrong).

Have you looked at the distribution chain?

[Billfitz]

That doesn't sound like timing chain noise, but you can't hear that very well from inside the cabin anyway, you have to do it with the hood open as in the second video.

[robo-n1]

All the chains was preventively replaced , due to reason that this models (N20b20) had problems with timing chains till 2014 year.

[GreenF30N26]

I've got the exact same whistle coming from the turbo as well. Only happens when going into boost, immediately stops when I take my foot off the throttle and doesn't happen when in park or neutral when the turbo is not engaged. I noticed it recently after messing with my turbo to downpipe clamp placement(bolt was in the way of the waste gate) as well as charge pipe from throttle body to IC looking for boost leaks. I actually didn't put the charge pipe on properly and it came off completely while driving. After putting it back on properly I made a point of listening closely and I could hear the same noise. I don't remember hearing the noise prior but wouldn't say I was listening for anything. Not sure if any of the above is related as you mentioned you are stock with no mods but it's there on mine too with no error codes or perceived impact to performance.

My car was built in 2016 so it "should not" be impacted by the timing chain concerns so unlikely the case for you as well.

Likely not much help but you are not alone.

[robo-n1]

I appreciate your answer. Yep, the same problem. What i didnt mention - I bought a car with approx. 90 k miles, so there can be a option that someone in the past was making something with charge pipe or something, but i have full service history from BMW so i dont think so. The good is, the car has no error codes, no loosing performance or something.

When i'll have more time, i will try to inspect this case. Just trying to ask here on forum if i was alone who have this problem, but i see im not.

[DadzBmer_N2o]

Originally Posted by Green33

I've got the exact same whistle coming from the turbo as well. Only happens when going into boost, immediately stops when I take my foot off the throttle and doesn't happen when in park or neutral when the turbo is not engaged. I noticed it recently after messing with my turbo to downpipe clamp placement(bolt was in the way of the waste gate) as well as charge pipe from throttle body to IC looking for boost leaks. I actually didn't put the charge pipe on properly and it came off completely while driving. After putting it back on properly I made a point of listening closely and I could hear the same noise. I don't remember hearing the noise prior but wouldn't say I was listening for anything. Not sure if any of the above is related as you mentioned you are stock with no mods but it's there on mine too with no error codes or perceived impact to performance.

My car was built in 2016 so it "should not" be impacted by the timing chain concerns so unlikely the case for you as well.

Likely not much help but you are not alone.

I'm gonna have to try and get a audio recording as well, mine makes a whooshing sound under hard boost and even had my Indie mechanic look underneath on the lift while i got to climb in there and rev the engine hard, he didn't hear the same sounds (only my exhaust pop like a gun shot) and no whooshing, so maybe its just air entering into all those pipes and stuff, IDK...Also this didn't start till i had a Muffler Delete and Res, and he also checked for leaks (nothing)...

[robo-n1]

Yeah, try it. True, i think the sound is like the air is entering to the system or i dont know as you said.

[bramwall]

Replying to this old thread :P

I have the exact same noise in my 2013 f30 320i Xdrive... Any conclusions yet?

[blazejp]

Originally Posted by bramwall

Replying to this old thread :P

I have the exact same noise in my 2013 f30 320i Xdrive... Any conclusions yet?

Yup. OP replaced the turbo and the sound is gone.

I have the exact same noise after having my turbo repaired. Note, it was repaired and not replaced. It was leaking oil and then after my mechanic fixed the leak it developed the noise. BMW's turbos don't like being repaired, it's better to just replace them.

It's hard to say whether this sound is dangerous or not. I've had mine for over 10k kms and it's all fine so far. If it gets louder then I'll probably replace the turbo.

[sqwinny]

Just sounds like the turbo. i could hear it more when i put a turbo inlet or intake on it, but that was it. The stock turbo inlet is known to slowly deteriorate overtime. order one, replace, and you'll see you's falling apart as well once you remove it.

[Slick_FThirty]

Have the same noise. Dealer said it's the turbo and needs replacement.

[Taz Brooklyn Place]

N20 when warm makes a tapping noise from engine. When sport-mode selected goes away ?