Strange Noise From Front When Parked

Poppyboy · 05-09-2020, 08:31 PM

Hi folks. My ‘11 35i 59k miles has been bulletproof until today when I started hearing a strange noise from the front after I parked the car and walked away. I would hear it twice and then I don’t hear it again. Almost sounds like quick muffled machine gun bursts. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

TheeE86 · 05-10-2020, 10:05 PM

Good description, The source of your sound is most likely the Valvetronic servo motor. It controls the valves lift duration on your N55 engine. Is your car running fine? Do you have codes?
If this part fails your car will go into limp mode and will have reduced power. You can maybe check some videos on YouTube to see if this noise matches what you heard.

Listen to noise at the beginning of this video, does this match what you heard

Poppyboy · 05-11-2020, 05:37 PM

Thanks so much. You are indeed correct. I hooked up my Carly, and got two codes related to valvetronic motor; sensors. I unplugged the valvetronic connector, but saw no oil. I guess a new VCG is in my future as well as whatever valvetronic component is failing. No clinical symptoms yet other than the noise. Since I don’t want to just go throwing parts at it, I dropped it off today at my Indy, who has experience with these issues.

TheeE86 · 05-12-2020, 10:22 AM

Good luck, hope it all works out. If it does end up failing, it is possible to DIY the servo motor. I have done it once, no computer reprogramming or special tools are needed.

Poppyboy · 05-12-2020, 10:49 AM

Really appreciate it! I was prepared to DIY the VCG and specific valvetronic component, but since it could be any of several components, I didn’t want to throw parts at it. Unsure if I can stomach taking it back from my Indy after they diagnose it to DIY the fix. I’ve been fortunate to not spend much other than routine DIY maintenance. If I’m not too traumatized after hearing back from my Indy, I’ll post a follow up here.

Poppyboy · 05-13-2020, 12:01 PM

$1500 out the door to replace the eccentric/valvetronic motor + VCG. Ouch and ouch. Although FCP Euro has the complete kit for @ $350, I’m unsure my DIY skills are capable of not only handling the nuances of the brittle plastic plumbing and connectors, fuel lines, etc., coupled with limiting and spring issues with the motor. I’ll bite the bullet on this since I’ve saved so much on DIY and over the years. Thoughts?

heatmizr · 05-13-2020, 07:48 PM

Well, do you expect your Indy to be as careful as you would pulling all those plastic hoses off??

Poppyboy · 05-13-2020, 08:27 PM

I expect them to have much more experience with brittle plastic connectors, etc. and if/when they break them, it’ll be on them to replace. Also, with all the connections and everything else involved with both the VCG and valvetronic motor, anything that goes wrong will also be on them. I’m basically paying a premium for superior knowledge and to transfer liability.

daniel717 · 05-14-2020, 12:22 PM

What is the breakdown between parts and labor?
I'd probably have the Indy do it as well, unless you are talking $1000 in Labor

TheeE86 · 05-14-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel717

What is the breakdown between parts and labor?
I'd probably have the Indy do it as well, unless you are talking $1000 in Labor

The motor is about $250 if you get an aftermarket brand. So yeah they are asking about $1000 in labor

Valvetronic motor part# 11377603979

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...20group%20%231

TheeE86 · 05-14-2020, 01:52 PM

Should be noted that “recommended” way to remove the Valvetronic motor includes removing the fuel injectors, which requires a special tool and new seals for the injectors. I found this was unnecessary, as there was enough space to pull it out once the injector shafts were loosened.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-gear/CyzwchK9

You’ll probably find a lot more information on the process by searching the 3 series forum.

Poppyboy · 05-14-2020, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the input, all. You are correct. Labor is around $1000. He mentioned the motor would be $500, which I know is alot less given FCP Euro’s package price. However, again, I think the main benefit will be the transfer of liability between all the disconnections, reconnections, brittle plastic parts and nuances with the motor limits, springs and placement with the shaft.
While it pains me to take all of the savings off the table, this DIY, at least for me, is wrought with more peril than I’m willing to take on. In the mean time, I’ll happily change out the differential and brake fluid in my SL55 AMG.

05-09-2020, 08:31 PM	#1
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	Strange Noise From Front When Parked Hi folks. My ‘11 35i 59k miles has been bulletproof until today when I started hearing a strange noise from the front after I parked the car and walked away. I would hear it twice and then I don’t hear it again. Almost sounds like quick muffled machine gun bursts. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
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05-10-2020, 10:05 PM	#2
TheeE86 Private 24 Rep 53 Posts Drives: AW Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Good description, The source of your sound is most likely the Valvetronic servo motor. It controls the valves lift duration on your N55 engine. Is your car running fine? Do you have codes? If this part fails your car will go into limp mode and will have reduced power. You can maybe check some videos on YouTube to see if this noise matches what you heard. Listen to noise at the beginning of this video, does this match what you heard Last edited by TheeE86; 05-10-2020 at 10:08 PM.. Reason: Add link
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05-11-2020, 05:37 PM	#3
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	Thanks so much. You are indeed correct. I hooked up my Carly, and got two codes related to valvetronic motor; sensors. I unplugged the valvetronic connector, but saw no oil. I guess a new VCG is in my future as well as whatever valvetronic component is failing. No clinical symptoms yet other than the noise. Since I don’t want to just go throwing parts at it, I dropped it off today at my Indy, who has experience with these issues.
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05-12-2020, 10:22 AM	#4
TheeE86 Private 24 Rep 53 Posts Drives: AW Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Good luck, hope it all works out. If it does end up failing, it is possible to DIY the servo motor. I have done it once, no computer reprogramming or special tools are needed. __________________ 11 M3 11 X5 35i
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05-12-2020, 10:49 AM	#5
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	Really appreciate it! I was prepared to DIY the VCG and specific valvetronic component, but since it could be any of several components, I didn’t want to throw parts at it. Unsure if I can stomach taking it back from my Indy after they diagnose it to DIY the fix. I’ve been fortunate to not spend much other than routine DIY maintenance. If I’m not too traumatized after hearing back from my Indy, I’ll post a follow up here.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2020, 12:01 PM	#6
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	$1500 out the door to replace the eccentric/valvetronic motor + VCG. Ouch and ouch. Although FCP Euro has the complete kit for @ $350, I’m unsure my DIY skills are capable of not only handling the nuances of the brittle plastic plumbing and connectors, fuel lines, etc., coupled with limiting and spring issues with the motor. I’ll bite the bullet on this since I’ve saved so much on DIY and over the years. Thoughts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2020, 07:48 PM	#7
heatmizr Captain 153 Rep 709 Posts Drives: E70 X5 50i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Well, do you expect your Indy to be as careful as you would pulling all those plastic hoses off?? __________________ heatmizr [Todd] g26 i4 e40 - Clean Machine e70 X5 50i M-Sport "The Boss" Loaded e90 328i - sold e36 M3 - Gone to become a track star
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05-13-2020, 08:27 PM	#8
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	I expect them to have much more experience with brittle plastic connectors, etc. and if/when they break them, it’ll be on them to replace. Also, with all the connections and everything else involved with both the VCG and valvetronic motor, anything that goes wrong will also be on them. I’m basically paying a premium for superior knowledge and to transfer liability.
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05-14-2020, 12:22 PM	#9
daniel717 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 35i Join Date: May 2020 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	What is the breakdown between parts and labor? I'd probably have the Indy do it as well, unless you are talking $1000 in Labor
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05-14-2020, 01:52 PM	#11
TheeE86 Private 24 Rep 53 Posts Drives: AW Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Should be noted that “recommended” way to remove the Valvetronic motor includes removing the fuel injectors, which requires a special tool and new seals for the injectors. I found this was unnecessary, as there was enough space to pull it out once the injector shafts were loosened. https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-gear/CyzwchK9 You’ll probably find a lot more information on the process by searching the 3 series forum.
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05-14-2020, 02:12 PM	#12
Poppyboy Captain 194 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 3.5i w/ SA Package Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lincolnshire, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1976 Triumph TR6 [10.00] 1993 Bentley Turbo R [10.00] 2011 X5 [10.00]	Thanks for the input, all. You are correct. Labor is around $1000. He mentioned the motor would be $500, which I know is alot less given FCP Euro’s package price. However, again, I think the main benefit will be the transfer of liability between all the disconnections, reconnections, brittle plastic parts and nuances with the motor limits, springs and placement with the shaft. While it pains me to take all of the savings off the table, this DIY, at least for me, is wrought with more peril than I’m willing to take on. In the mean time, I’ll happily change out the differential and brake fluid in my SL55 AMG.
	Appreciate 0 Quote