35D-Whirring noise most noticeable in 1st and second

Spyro235 · 04-30-2019, 12:07 PM

Hi all- I don't think this is an issue, but I've always noticed a pretty loud whirring noise in first and second. It sounds kind of like an air pump or something, and goes up with throttle, and down with the revs. It doesn't exactly match revs, as when I go to second gear it'll lazily go down a bit, then get louder/ slightly higher pitched when going up with the revs again. I'm wondering what this is, because it detracts from the beautiful diesel sounds I like hearing during lazy, slow acceleration. It seems to be most prominent within the first few miles of driving after a start up.

Any ideas or explanations?

Nyc Dito · 04-30-2019, 12:42 PM

What side or what area is the sound coming from? Does it go away after warm up? is it on all the time? How about in reverse?

Makaveli69 · 04-30-2019, 05:52 PM

is it like a power steering pump thats low on fluid sound?

Ryan5034 · 04-30-2019, 07:46 PM

Turn the A/C on and off to see if it makes a difference.

kaleb · 05-01-2019, 09:53 AM

Have you had the idler pulley recall done? Are you certain it varies with engine speed? When rolling down the road, when you hear the noise, if you lift the throttle and put it in neutral does it go away?

Spyro235 · 05-01-2019, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyc Dito

What side or what area is the sound coming from? Does it go away after warm up? is it on all the time? How about in reverse?

I believe it happens all the time. I never notice it really at speed, but at low speeds, nearly always.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makaveli69

is it like a power steering pump thats low on fluid sound?

Doesn't sound like a PS problem, and my car doesn't make any noise while turning the wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan5034

Turn the A/C on and off to see if it makes a difference.

No difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaleb

Have you had the idler pulley recall done? Are you certain it varies with engine speed? When rolling down the road, when you hear the noise, if you lift the throttle and put it in neutral does it go away?

It varies with kind of with engine speed- it almost seems like it varies with throttle position/ load, if that makes any sense. I have not had the recall done yet.

It is easy to hear in this video. Please excuse the sideways, and the check engine. Only code I have is for my #5 glowplug, and I have the controller to replace, I just have't had a chance to do it yet.

In this video, right at 8.5-9 seconds, you hear the whirring, right after you hear my turbos. The car holds boost great, and it doesn't sound like a boost leak (have boost leak experience from my n54 car).

Boostedphil698 · 02-09-2026, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro235

It varies with kind of with engine speed- it almost seems like it varies with throttle position/ load, if that makes any sense. I have not had the recall done yet.

It is easy to hear in this video. Please excuse the sideways, and the check engine. Only code I have is for my #5 glowplug, and I have the controller to replace, I just have't had a chance to do it yet.

In this video, right at 8.5-9 seconds, you hear the whirring, right after you hear my turbos. The car holds boost great, and it doesn't sound like a boost leak (have boost leak experience from my n54 car).

Did you ever find out what this was? Was it noticeable when the car was warm at very light throttle?

jbash87 · 02-12-2026, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostedphil698

Did you ever find out what this was? Was it noticeable when the car was warm at very light throttle?

The youtube video has the following comment when asked the same question
Name: Capture.JPG
Views: 36
Size: 14.5 KB

Boostedphil698 · 02-12-2026, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbash87

The youtube video has the following comment when asked the same question
Attachment 3904418

Ahhhh. Okay. So it's normal.

04-30-2019, 12:07 PM	#1
Spyro235 Captain 374 Rep 807 Posts Drives: '10 X5D, '08 e90 M3 6mt Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maple Valley, WA iTrader: (0)	35D-Whirring noise most noticeable in 1st and second Hi all- I don't think this is an issue, but I've always noticed a pretty loud whirring noise in first and second. It sounds kind of like an air pump or something, and goes up with throttle, and down with the revs. It doesn't exactly match revs, as when I go to second gear it'll lazily go down a bit, then get louder/ slightly higher pitched when going up with the revs again. I'm wondering what this is, because it detracts from the beautiful diesel sounds I like hearing during lazy, slow acceleration. It seems to be most prominent within the first few miles of driving after a start up. Any ideas or explanations? __________________ Daily/ Tow: 2010 X5 35D - 340k, Deleted w/DUDMD Stage 2, Sutphin Trans tune, Comfort seat retrofit Fun car: 2008 e90 M3- 6mt, slicktop, AW, cloth Last edited by Spyro235; 04-30-2019 at 12:07 PM.. Reason: typos
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04-30-2019, 12:42 PM	#2
Nyc Dito First Lieutenant 149 Rep 320 Posts Drives: E70 M57 - E39 M62 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	What side or what area is the sound coming from? Does it go away after warm up? is it on all the time? How about in reverse? __________________ E70 LCI 35D XHP trans tune & xDelete///What EGR?
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04-30-2019, 05:52 PM	#3
Makaveli69 Enlisted Member 7 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	is it like a power steering pump thats low on fluid sound?
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04-30-2019, 07:46 PM	#4
Ryan5034 First Lieutenant 108 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Fargo, ND iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M4 [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xdrive50 [9.50] 2011 BMW X5 xdrive 50 [2.00]	Turn the A/C on and off to see if it makes a difference.
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05-01-2019, 09:53 AM	#5
kaleb First Lieutenant 33 Rep 303 Posts Drives: '12 X5 35d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Have you had the idler pulley recall done? Are you certain it varies with engine speed? When rolling down the road, when you hear the noise, if you lift the throttle and put it in neutral does it go away? __________________ 2012 X5 35D - Platinum Gray / Cinnamon Options: Sport, Tech, Cold Weather, comfort seats, leather dash, high beam assist, lane-departure warning, soft-close doors, two-row, self-leveling suspension, hi-fi stereo Tracks driven (in any car): Nürburgring Nordschleife (05/2011), LeMans (ok, just the public part), Eagles Canyon Raceway, MotorSport Ranch Cresson, COTA Austin
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