What is this noise?

Palmetto

Palmetto

Zorg Legend
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Points
75
Location
West Yorkshire
Model of Z
Palmetto Green 2.8
I picked my first Z3 up today. It's a 2.8 in Palmetto Green. I had to drive 100 miles home in this storm and took it easy. Half way back I stopped for fuel, and noticed a whining that increases/decreases with the engine speed. It definitely didn't make this sound on the test drive before I bought it, and also when I set off after picking it up. When I got home, I left it for an hour and then drove over to my friends, about three miles away. It didn't make the sound when I set off and it only started when I was near his house.

It sounds like a supercharger. I'm guessing it's something pulley or alternator related, although one suggestion may be that it needs a power steering fluid change. There's no noise coming from the steering when you turn the week.

What do you reckon?

Oh, and here's my car.

01A9921E-04E6-4EA9-8B5A-248A9FDE3507.webp
 
Most likely part of the auxiliary drive belt system. On my Z3 it was the belt tensioner bearings, new tensioner is about £65 ish. If it is that you ought to be looking at a cooling system refresh. What miles has the car done and is there any history of this type of repairs being done?

Tony.

ps. Unlikely to be power steering issue. You can check the fluid for level but it would only likely become noisy is fluid had leaked out.
 
Hi and a big welcome from Southport, yeah I had this and it was the belt tensioner. There's probably a pelican parts.com video on how to do it. They're a remarkably helpful site in the US for DIY repairs.
 
Does it have AC, I had exactly the same on a 2.8 that I have just sold, turn the AC off and sound dissapears
 
The AC would affect the belt tensioner noise by the loading it takes to drive the compressor. You would be advised by many on here to check also the plastic cooling fan for any signs of cracking at all as these are well known for shattering with ages and often taking out the radiator with them.

Tony.
 
Now, this may be where you all laugh at me. I have taken a video of the noise. When I first heard it, it was a lot louder than this, and I thought it was a wheel bearing whining or something. It's never been as loud since. It does seem quite quiet on the video. In the cabin it is louder.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkIYKg6rWSc

Turn it up. It kicks in at 2500 rpm. You're probably all going to say, that's the normal sound of an M52B28TU, and if that's the case, I've probably been driving four pots for too long.
 
I'd check the viscous coupling first. :thumbsup:
 
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