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      07-18-2019, 03:46 PM   #1
328iking
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This has been driving me mad for months.

First of all I have had new wastegate actuator and timing chain fitted so those not the problem.

Upon cold start up it's really noisey. The noise I refer to comes from under the car near front wheel (driversside - UK). Nothing really from engine bay when bonnet is open. I hear it under load in any gear when the sound echoes of cars or walls etc.

In sport mode the noise practically disappears.

I had an exhaust company check over my exhaust and also a bmw specialist garage, both said exhaust is fine along with flexi joint. However I noticed when both hit the exhaust pipe just after the flexi (near the front wheel) you hear the exact same tinny and rattley sound??? Conveniently in same place I can hear it.

The bmw specialist said it's wastegate and is normal but sounds so horrific and embarrassing to drive.

So am confused. Can the sport mode effect the exhaust rattling similar to the wastegate? Also if exhaust it would be constant and not just under load?? Or is he exhaust fine under load and it is actually the wastegate noise travelling under the car as bonnet is closed?

Hear is a video for reference, recorded under car near drivers side front wheel.

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      07-18-2019, 05:21 PM   #2
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so does this happen before/after the chain and wastegate was installes.
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      07-18-2019, 05:29 PM   #3
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If it goes away in sport when you're driving . 1500-2000rpm then it's the wastegate rattle. I have the same.
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      07-19-2019, 01:39 AM   #4
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This sound from the video sounds same as in my car (320i). I also wonder why it comes from under the car. However, this same rattle has been there for the last 80,000km so probably it's "normal". That being said, it is somewhat embarassing.

Do you hear it when revving to 2000rpm slowly after cat heating sequnce is gone? I can easily reproduce the sound even with warm engine by just revving it slowly. For me sport mode does nothing as I don't have exhaust flap.
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      07-19-2019, 04:40 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwchue View Post
so does this happen before/after the chain and wastegate was installes.
That video was after both replaced.
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      07-19-2019, 04:41 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Solidjake View Post
If it goes away in sport when you're driving . 1500-2000rpm then it's the wastegate rattle. I have the same.
Yep. Basically disappears.
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      08-04-2019, 01:13 PM   #7
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Mine does this and its had a new turbo fitted under warranty it does go away quite quickly but surely a turbo with less than 10k shouldn’t be making this kind of noise
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      08-05-2019, 05:00 AM   #8
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100% thats wastegate. The flap is opened slightly on cold starts.
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      08-05-2019, 05:30 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
This has been driving me mad for months.

First of all I have had new wastegate actuator and timing chain fitted so those not the problem.

Upon cold start up it's really noisey. The noise I refer to comes from under the car near front wheel (driversside - UK). Nothing really from engine bay when bonnet is open. I hear it under load in any gear when the sound echoes of cars or walls etc.

In sport mode the noise practically disappears.

I had an exhaust company check over my exhaust and also a bmw specialist garage, both said exhaust is fine along with flexi joint. However I noticed when both hit the exhaust pipe just after the flexi (near the front wheel) you hear the exact same tinny and rattley sound??? Conveniently in same place I can hear it.

The bmw specialist said it's wastegate and is normal but sounds so horrific and embarrassing to drive.

So am confused. Can the sport mode effect the exhaust rattling similar to the wastegate? Also if exhaust it would be constant and not just under load?? Or is he exhaust fine under load and it is actually the wastegate noise travelling under the car as bonnet is closed?

Hear is a video for reference, recorded under car near drivers side front wheel.

I have that same noise but my car has the electronic waste gate. I don't know how true this is but I was told the electronic waste gates don't rattle like the pneumatic ones. My noise seems to be coming from where my down pipe meets my midpipe. I think it might be a slight exhaust leak. Taking it to an Indy shop tomorrow to see if they can fix it. I'll keep you posted. Our cars definitely make the same noise.
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      04-22-2020, 03:23 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy27 View Post
I have that same noise but my car has the electronic waste gate. I don't know how true this is but I was told the electronic waste gates don't rattle like the pneumatic ones. My noise seems to be coming from where my down pipe meets my midpipe. I think it might be a slight exhaust leak. Taking it to an Indy shop tomorrow to see if they can fix it. I'll keep you posted. Our cars definitely make the same noise.
Did you solve the problem?
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      04-29-2020, 05:02 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cskelton View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy27 View Post
I have that same noise but my car has the electronic waste gate. I don't know how true this is but I was told the electronic waste gates don't rattle like the pneumatic ones. My noise seems to be coming from where my down pipe meets my midpipe. I think it might be a slight exhaust leak. Taking it to an Indy shop tomorrow to see if they can fix it. I'll keep you posted. Our cars definitely make the same noise.
Did you solve the problem?
It's the wastegate in the turbo. The only way to fix it is turbo rebuild. As it's not faulty I have learned to live with it. But upgraded exhaust and intake so I don't notice it as much. Lol
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      04-29-2020, 07:47 PM   #12
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Unbolt the actuator, if the whole arm falls off then your cotter pin has left the vehicle. That can rattle around, you could probably hold it with your finger to see on a cold start before things start getting hot. There is a updated bracket (~$45) that fixes it.
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      05-05-2020, 08:11 PM   #13
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I have the same sound on 2016 328i but couldn't understand what is causing that do i have to be concerned as it's been like that since 40k km
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      05-15-2020, 01:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blumagic View Post
Unbolt the actuator, if the whole arm falls off then your cotter pin has left the vehicle. That can rattle around, you could probably hold it with your finger to see on a cold start before things start getting hot. There is a updated bracket (~$45) that fixes it.
updated bracket? Do you have a source?
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      05-15-2020, 03:33 PM   #15
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updated bracket? Do you have a source?
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...54818-9999.pdf
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      06-19-2020, 10:04 AM   #16
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This is still driving me mad.

i have an electronic waste gate actuator. I believe its the flapper like someone has said? can i adjust the actuator rod? or when the downpipe is removed somehow secure the flapper more, ie weld it or something?
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      06-19-2020, 10:46 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
This is still driving me mad.

i have an electronic waste gate actuator. I believe its the flapper like someone has said? can i adjust the actuator rod? or when the downpipe is removed somehow secure the flapper more, ie weld it or something?
It is definitely the wastegate.

Only option is to have turbo rebuilt or replaced as the wastegate is built in and the bushings have worn.
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      06-19-2020, 11:03 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
This is still driving me mad.

i have an electronic waste gate actuator. I believe its the flapper like someone has said? can i adjust the actuator rod? or when the downpipe is removed somehow secure the flapper more, ie weld it or something?
It is definitely the wastegate.

Only option is to have turbo rebuilt or replaced as the wastegate is built in and the bushings have worn.
Does it affect boost/power etc? Still operates as it should so to speak?
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      06-21-2020, 05:54 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
Does it affect boost/power etc? Still operates as it should so to speak?
It could cause a problem maintaining target boost if the bushing are so worn it doesn't create a good enough seal on the waste gate. For the most part though, its just really annoying to listen to.
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      06-22-2020, 06:43 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
Does it affect boost/power etc? Still operates as it should so to speak?
It could cause a problem maintaining target boost if the bushing are so worn it doesn't create a good enough seal on the waste gate. For the most part though, its just really annoying to listen to.
I wi find out soon when fitting dp and boost gauge.
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      06-23-2020, 11:20 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
It's the wastegate in the turbo. The only way to fix it is turbo rebuild. As it's not faulty I have learned to live with it. But upgraded exhaust and intake so I don't notice it as much. Lol
I'm having almost the same noise, and my check engine light came on . The mechanic said its the wastegate, and that I won't pass a smog test if I don't fix it.

So its true? In most cases the only way to fix it is to replace the turbo?

I'm taking it back to the mechanic tomorrow.

Last edited by Navi96; 06-23-2020 at 11:28 PM..
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      06-23-2020, 11:40 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Navi96 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 328iking View Post
It's the wastegate in the turbo. The only way to fix it is turbo rebuild. As it's not faulty I have learned to live with it. But upgraded exhaust and intake so I don't notice it as much. Lol
I'm having almost the same noise, and my check engine light came on . The mechanic said its the wastegate, and that I won't pass a smog test if I don't fix it.

So its true? In most cases the only way to fix it is to replace the turbo?

I'm taking it back to the mechanic tomorrow.
I am in UK and it's not failed an emissions test. It still works as it should. Just a little loose than I like.
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