I have an 08 X5 4.8i (129k miles) and for the past week or so I noticed a Whine /Whirring sound when revving the engine as well as driving. When driving you can hear it at lower speeds up to 40 or so, it still make the noise going faster its just harder to hear with wind and tire noise. sI took a video of it while it was in park while I revved it.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...08%20whine.mp4
It looks to like its coming from the passenger side front. I ordered a water pump thinking it was that but when I took off the serpentine belt and turnd the pump it was silent and it felt normal. I spun the idler pulleys too, seemed ok.
I thought about it some more and looked at the Vacuum pump also known as the air pump. I pulled the top hose off and noticed oil inside it. That general area seems to be loudest and possibly where the sound is coming from.
I know the pump is used for vacuum assist on the brakes and already had the brake booster cable recall done (precent oil from entering brake booster). They didn't touch the vacuum pump. I don't really see fresh oil near the pump but do see where it probably seemed from the hose. Possiby there is an internal seal leak on it.
Has anyone ever heard of this noise and have any more info, before I order a vacuum pump?
Thanks.