X5 is still whistling!
 

EDIT: traded in my 3.0i for 4.8is. Problem fixed :rofl:


Below is the original post I started regarding a whistling sound my X5 makes when driving at low rpm's and pressing on the accelerator.
It's similar to the whine of a supercharger, but annoying. :swear:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...stling-x5.html

Based on the feedback from fellow members, the dealer tried the following...
1) Replaced DISA valve - no change, replaced w/original part.
2) Replaced Idle Air Actuator - no change, replaced w/ original part
3) Replaced the throttle body - minimal change if any, kept new throttle body
4) Checked air filter box for any leaks - none found

Service manager claims the whistling is due to the vehicles age.
2003 X5 w/ 48K :confused:
He and the tech drove a newer X5 and whistling was not there. Then they drove a '03 w/similar mileage and whistling was detected.
Three of my co-workers also drive X5's. Two do not have the whistle and one does. :dunno:
Does anyone have another idea?

I'm sticking with my original reply: LINK Mine has been doing it for 4 years now since new. No biggie.

SuperGreg,
I believe your correct in saying it's no biggie. However, I still don't like hearing it.
I'm going to keep searching for the source of the whistling.

Thanks

could it be a belt?

Ive had the same problem since it was brand new and the dealer said it is normal.

I don't think so. It's a different kind of sound.

Looks like they focused on air intake, but there are other sources of vacuum or air leaks - the vacuum system itself, MAF's, any sensor that measures air, etc. What's tricky about air leaks is that sometimes people have different perceptions of where the sounds come from because they hear things differently. The best thing to do is get a couple of friends over, pop the hood, fire up the engine, and get a consensus as to where the whistllng is originating.

Hey, if you can find out what it is, let me know :D. I remember posting the same thing on the [Oops]Fly board way back when I bought mine. Everyone at that time said it was normal as well.

Yeah, right. Mine's the same age and mileage. No whistling. Just curious, does the whistling happen only when the vehicle's in motion? Definitely coming from the engine compartment and not underneath?

Is there any connection between rpm, vehicle speed and shift lever position? At what point does it go away? Any chance it could be from the torque converter or is it a whistling like whistling with your mouth or the whistling of an cracked window?

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice.

HoyaTerp - The whistling happens anytime you lightly press on the gas pedal. However, it is more pronounced when driving.
As asawadude suggested, I'll have some friends take a listen to try and pin point the location.

It's a high-pitched whistle like that of a cracked window.
Seems only noticeable at low rpm's, regular engine sounds probably cancel it out at higher rpm. Not sure if it could be coming from the torque converter. No connection between speed and shift lever position.


.

heres the thing it is normal when you hear a sertain whistle that is comming from the air box where the engin is sucking in air at a certain speed you can hear this but the whistling that i have is not this and the dealer doesnt understand that i can the 2 different wishtling sounds i can distinguish between them. i know the air sound is normal but the second one cant be not for me atleast its jsut no i havent heard in any other x5 that i have drove so it isnt normal!

thats the problem for me it only wishtles are about 50ish mph odd huh and u have to hav your foot on the gass appling it very slightly and its so lound i can hear it over my stereo when i have it up about half or so i know thats hard to think wuts half but if i can hear it over music its lound for me and unacceptable

i might have to get a microphone and a couple actually and set them up in the car and do a test drive i think thats going ot be the best option. Last time used a video camera and mounted it under the car right near the driver suspention to prove that there was vibration commiing from the axle and ti wasnt alligned the video showed that the axle was vibrating up and dwon like more than 2inches and it wasnt always the same motion either so camera never lies......

That sucks i wonder if the 06s have the same whistling problems

If you remove the air filter cover and air filter and step on the gas as you would to cause the sound, does anything change? And if you repeat the process with and without A/C or heat running? Any chance it could be related to the A/C compressor?

For me, the car has to be in motion for the second whistle to be activated basically. Heres the thing tho....my dad had a gmc 2500 vandura van..and we started to hear this whisteling sound and after like 2 years of neglect guess what turned out to be the problem...the .... rear diff and after it was replaced with a used one but still a new one the sound disapeared that is why i am worriend a bit about the sound....its so similar however dealer claims is normal its just hard to pin point where its comming from and if its being caused from somekind of failing part of what....

I'm going out to try removing the cover and filter. I'll let you know if it makes a difference.

No change after removing filter cover and air filter.
W/ & WO Air compressor on.

Thanks for the idea; let us know if you think of anything else.:thumbup:

Is your engine basically the same, with larger displacement, as that in our 2005 325ci? I'm going to peek underneath and see how the top end of the crankcase is ventilated. I wonder if when crankcase pressure builds, the whistle is blow by of some sort...?

Not sure, maybe another member knows.
Anyone :dunno:

The noise is definitely coming from under the hood?

cover up the front grilles, and see if you still hear it. It might just be wind resonance.

Do you have wind deflectors on you side windows? Could it be a window not sealing?

Hey, I'm just guessing like the rest. I hope you track it down.

Thanks for the suggestions.
It's defiantly coming from under the hood. Only happens when you lightly press on the gas pedal.

I just poked around under the hood of the 325...lot o'stuff under there... IMO, it has to be something with vacuum lines or intake if it does not occur at idle, but occurs when air velocity is increased....anybody know if there is a vacuum line near the throttle body?

usually when we get whistle noises like you are describing it is an indication that the intake boot is torn at the idle motor. the boot has an upper part that comes of of the main boot and goes to the iac almost everytime that boot is cracked in between the ribs causing a whistle noise. check it out and see if you find anything.

yea but almost every 4.4 has this problem. it cant be something broken. Its got to be a bad design or a defective part from the factory. By the way do the 2006s make the noise still

I have an 01' 3.0 (purchased 2 weeks ago) and I have the same problem.

I can notice the whine/whistle, just barely as the X sits idle, but until you hit 1800RPM the whistle is minimal. My X is loudest from 1800-2200RPM, once you get above 2200RPM I think the engine is loud enough to cover up the whistling.

(this is my theory)
Since the X5 has variable intake system the intake is opening just enough for the whistle to occur, once you reach a higher RPM the intake is opened up wider making the whistle disappear. If you are on the Highway and give it enough gas to land in the range of 1800-2200RPM you will hear it and that is why....

The general consensus i have found is that it is the intake adjuster...
Pic Here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...g?d=1119978382

Diagram Here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...g?d=1120769730


I have found several people on the board that have replaced this part and fixed the whistling. Also, one guy said you could even put your hand over the intake adjuster and it was quiet( the noise that you can just barely hear at idle).
Link to "Whistling Noise Fixed" Post:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...stem+whistling



I have haven't had time to put much time into fixing this but it is driving me crazy, ecspecially with nice weather outside and wanting drive around with the windows down and having to hear the awful whistling sound....

Hope this helps, just though I would through some more info out there for you guys.

:dunno: post a sound clip?

Was this ever resolved? I'm getting the same whistling issue now in my 4.4i :confused:

I've not noticed any "whistling" in either my '01 or '06 X5 4.4 sport - though the '01 does have a cold air intake which MAY be a solution, but the roar of the Dinan exhaust may also be drowning out any other sounds - the '06 is just darn quiet

I hear it on the my 4.8is also. It almost sounds like amplifier whine/whistle (ground loop issue).... however I don't have a non factory amp installed.

Hmm.

Curtis

So Sorry I Missed This Thread....
 

:rolleyes:

Sorry guys and gals... I went through this about a year ago with my 2005 4.4i and actually found the problem (my dealer did) and had it fixed. I should have discovered this thread and responded sooner. Here's the deal:

My 4.4i had a black condensation drain tube which connected into the vent system and exited down by the transmission. The result: whenever my fan was on at any speed I heard a whistling sound coming out of my vents. That whistling sound was actually the normal whine of my transmission being heard through my vents. If you turn your climate control system fully off and it goes away, then that's what your problem is.

The fix: A new drain hose design avail from your dealer which has a slit for an opening. It's actually rounded and closed at the bottom with a plus sign cut into the end to let water drain out but does not let sound come up the tube. When water collects at the bottom, the weight of the water opens the slit and it drains out.

Have your service rep search for the replacement condensation drain hose that exits near the transmission. Also, I think my service rep also rerouted it to a location away from the tranny - as far away as possible. I think the combination of the new hose end and new placement fixed it.

I know how you feel - it drove me crazy cruising along a smooth highway at 65 and hearing this whining noise!

Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Chris

Did you have this covered under your warranty? I am considering asking for this, and I do not know if my cpo would cover this, if not I would like to know how much it will cost. thanks

Yes. Mine was covered under warranty. It was a design defect.

Aewsome post! This is why this website rocks! Everybody helping one another. Too bad it will never catch on in politics, especially national and world.

My 04 had this same whistle. It only did it on acceleration. The dealer fixed it the first time I took it in. The service tech said there was a small hole in the intake boot. Here is a word for word account from my service invoice of what was done to find and fix this problem:

Problem: Customer states high pitched whistle/rattling type noise when accelerating. Is very noticable when driving alongside curb or wall where sound reflects back.

Remedy: Test drove and then dis. Tested and found DME faults 228 mixture too lean. Check and found defective intake boot (hole). Removed and replaced intake boot and cleared faults.

Part # 13-54-1-440-102 ELBOW

Hope this helps those of you that have this problem. :thumbup:

If it's on a 3.0i, get used to it. The dealer won't do anything. They state it's normal on all 3.0i's and it happens with age. Yes, it's annoying. Yes, I hate it. Yes, I've tried multiple things, including that drain recall a few posts up. No dice.

same whisle on my ´03 3.0

a crack was found on the rubber intake boot elbow; please see attached diagram...

Thanks zee28 and papi! that worked great! was considering replacing the DISA and ICV itself after reading some posts and they still have the same issue after replacement(was thinking i might get lucky). But when i looked at the hose, low and behold, 3 cracks that you can literally see thru. Replaced a $25 part and now i can enjoy my afternoon ride without any annoying whistling sound. I had the exact problem as 'gollum'

I am going to do this tomorrow first thing, at least this noise compared to the windshield rattle I am dealing with seems to have a solution.

Has anyone changed there oil seperators? This causes a whistle.Applies to 4.4's and 3.0's.Also check crankcase hoses near back of the engine just behind engine cover. these things turn to mush.(4.4's only)