2005 x5 4.8is engine whine all the time.

[Baber9310]

No it's the idler pulley

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Baber9310

No it's the idler pulley

Do you have a part number? Thanks.

[Baber9310]

it was the idler pulley on my 4.8is part # is 11287549557

[papasmurf]

How many miles do you have? I had an S/C whine and it turned out that it was a broken timing chain guide.

[SlickGT1]

I got 78K miles. I don't have rattles or anything.

[ECS Tuning]

Originally Posted by Baber9310

it was the idler pulley on my 4.8is part # is 11287549557

In case anyone is looking for an idler pulley we have it available HERE



ECS Tuning

[Budget M3]

I have the same sound which is directly related to engine speed, however.....

1. Alternator replaced ~4 months ago (unrelated to the noise)
2. Both pulleys replaced at first diagnosis of the whining sound--they were in fact bad, but there was no effect on the sound
3. Sound seems to be less prominent after the vehicle warms up, and sometimes goes away altogether if I shut off the engine after the truck is already warm). Upon restart, sometimes the sound all but goes away.
4. Latest diagnosis is that it is the transmission??? Since this sound occurs both at rest (in Park or Neutral), as well as in gear, I am skeptical. When in gear, there is a slight increase to the noise when the trans shifts into a higher gear.

Is the transmission turning with the engine when it is in Park or Neutral? Is it really possible that the whining is coming from the transmission?

'02 4.6is with 198k miles and the trans has never been opened, so still has the original "lifetime" fluid.

All educated opinions appreciated...

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

I have the same sound which is directly related to engine speed, however.....

1. Alternator replaced ~4 months ago (unrelated to the noise)
2. Both pulleys replaced at first diagnosis of the whining sound--they were in fact bad, but there was no effect on the sound
3. Sound seems to be less prominent after the vehicle warms up, and sometimes goes away altogether if I shut off the engine after the truck is already warm). Upon restart, sometimes the sound all but goes away.
4. Latest diagnosis is that it is the transmission??? Since this sound occurs both at rest (in Park or Neutral), as well as in gear, I am skeptical. When in gear, there is a slight increase to the noise when the trans shifts into a higher gear.

Is the transmission turning with the engine when it is in Park or Neutral? Is it really possible that the whining is coming from the transmission?

'02 4.6is with 198k miles and the trans has never been opened, so still has the original "lifetime" fluid.

All educated opinions appreciated...

I am not sure about the trans spinning, but the torque converter is deff spinning. I'm in the same boat as you I think. I can't confirm that the pulleys are making the noise. It seems to be coming from under my feet.

Everything else symptom wise, seems to be the same as you. Once it warms up really well, the noise gets much less, and pretty much goes away. I also get a whine right before shift when really cold. Right at 2000 rpm.

I dropped my trans pan twice, changed the trans filter once, and refilled 2 times with new ZF OE fluid. The sound did not change at all. That's why I have a feeling it could be something else, but the trans thing is in my mind. Other symptoms, like the LURCH, the slow reverse, went away after the fluid swaps. This though, still here.

One of these days I am going to go to a trans shop to get an opinion. For now, it seems to be working, and I drive pedal to the metal at least once a day. Seems fine. That noise is annoying though. At least its only at 2k RPM.

[Budget M3]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I am not sure about the trans spinning, but the torque converter is deff spinning. I'm in the same boat as you I think. I can't confirm that the pulleys are making the noise. It seems to be coming from under my feet.

Everything else symptom wise, seems to be the same as you. Once it warms up really well, the noise gets much less, and pretty much goes away. I also get a whine right before shift when really cold. Right at 2000 rpm.

I dropped my trans pan twice, changed the trans filter once, and refilled 2 times with new ZF OE fluid. The sound did not change at all. That's why I have a feeling it could be something else, but the trans thing is in my mind. Other symptoms, like the LURCH, the slow reverse, went away after the fluid swaps. This though, still here.

One of these days I am going to go to a trans shop to get an opinion. For now, it seems to be working, and I drive pedal to the metal at least once a day. Seems fine. That noise is annoying though. At least its only at 2k RPM.

Same symptoms as I am having. It sounds like it is coming from underneath my feet. Torque converter makes sense, too, since it is spinning with engine speed, even in park or neutral.

Is it possible to replace the TC without touching the transmission (or is the labor about the same)? Is it even wise to replace only the TC or will that just amplify any hidden transmission issues? I found a source who will rebuild my trans and include a new TC for a reasonable price so am tempted to just bite the bullet and do both at once. However, I am conflicted about spending that kind of $ on a truck that has almost 200k on the clock. This would be an easier decision if I did not like this vehicle so much--luxurious, comfortable, tough, towing capacity, etc.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

Same symptoms as I am having. It sounds like it is coming from underneath my feet. Torque converter makes sense, too, since it is spinning with engine speed, even in park or neutral.

Is it possible to replace the TC without touching the transmission (or is the labor about the same)? Is it even wise to replace only the TC or will that just amplify any hidden transmission issues? I found a source who will rebuild my trans and include a new TC for a reasonable price so am tempted to just bite the bullet and do both at once. However, I am conflicted about spending that kind of $ on a truck that has almost 200k on the clock. This would be an easier decision if I did not like this vehicle so much--luxurious, comfortable, tough, towing capacity, etc.

No you have to remove the trans to do the torque converter. Which will involve removing a lot of stuff. The labor to drop the trans is quite high, so my logic is telling me to get the rebuild at the same time if it comes down to dropping the trans.

I'm confused as well. Other than this stupid whine, everything else seems fine. So I sort of don't want to mess with it for now. I also have a feeling that any trans shop I go to, will tell me whatever they want to get the business. Don't really know any shops around Brooklyn / NYC that are reputable. My previous cars were 3 series and Lexus. Both never had any issues with the trans, so this is new territory.

I am going to hold off for a bit as far as going to a trans shop. I'm going to do more research before I go. And will just pay attention to the noise to see if anything changes.