BMW N55 Engine Sound | Listening for Timing Chain Noises | BMW 535i F10

2011 BMW 535i (F10) Sedan with approximately 109,400 miles.
This one is happy and healthy. You'll notice the injectors are SUPER loud. Gotta love direct injection.
I'm always keeping an ear out for timing chain and other sounds.

[@colerobinson1187]

Loved the wind blowing in my ears

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Thanks for watching

[@BEAMERNOOB]

this is exactly how mine sounds in my 2011 x5. i get an uneven idle, then it surges at idle in gear, and sometimes even stalls. been chasing mas air plausibility too low and too high codes.

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Had a similar issue. Try these two things: first, disconnect (not unplug) your idle control valve (ICV) found under intake manifold, let idle for 10-15 minutes, then reconnect. If that doesn't work, try replacing mass air flow (MAF) sensor, found on air pipe at back of valve cover.

[@patrickconway2587]

dont know if you fixed it but i had issues during startup and idle aswell as air codes. ended up being a few vacuum leaks, but the main thing was where my intake attaches after the MAF didnt seal right and didnt show up during a smoke test since i remove that piece to test it.

[@BigD15]

On my 2014 535 I sometime receive a slight vibration occurring when starting the vehicle. Online I found it to often be engine mounts or spark plugs but spark plugs were changed at 40k by the dealership under the previous owner and the car is now at 75k. I appreciate any help!

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Hi friend, that is a tough one. It could be one of many things. I chased a rough idle for several months, it ended up being the alternator pulley. I went through many steps, i.e., I changed the idler pulley, tensioner, belt, spark plugs, ignition coils, HP and LP fuel pump. Each one made the car run and idle smoother, the alternator pulley was the last step. I haven't done engine mounts yet and I'm at 111k miles. Hope that helps

[@terrogz2159]

i have the 2011 535xi how’d you get the lane departure to work? i can see the outline of it on the cluster but it never comes on

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Hi friend, I believe this activates at 35-40 mph. If the lanes are showing on the dash, and assuming the system is working, it will activate automatically once you've reached the minimum speed.

[@GPerformance710]

Any idea why my car would knock only once in a while on cold starts , knocking gets louder when revving lightly (engine still cold) 2011 bmw 335 xdrive . Replaced ps pump pulley awhile back from pump contacting front subframe so wondering if the ps pump shaft is bent? No groaning or whining like usually ps pump going bad

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Hi friend, do you have a video of the noise? I'll try to help if I can

[@Shade_Tree_Mechanic]

That sounds like a rod bearing from your description. But if you upload a video it would help to get a more accurate idea

[@Baiatulmamii]

Maybe the spring from the belt tensioner is broken. Put someone to start your engine and watch the tensioner

[@nijsmike8899]

its rod bearings

[@joeokonski3679]

My car does the exact same thing. A god awful ticking but it stops when it’s warmed up

[@Mystoganne]

Hey mate ! I've made a short clip of my n55 engine on my channel because I don't know if the sound is normal or not. Can you check it up and tell me if that's a problem? It's not exactly the same sound as your clip tho.Thanks!

[@SingleMaltMotors]

salut ami - le moteur sonne bien dans le court clip que vous avez partagé. Le bruit de cliquetis provient des injecteurs de carburant - ils sont bruyants, c'est normal. J'espère que ça t'as aidé

[@SingleMaltMotors]

FYI, I assumed you spoke French, but in case you don't my response is your engine sounds good. The loud clicking noise comes from your injectors - totally normally.

[@Mystoganne]

@@SingleMaltMotors Oui je parle français. J'ai tout à fait compris ce que tu m'as dit et je t'en remercie pour ton avis. Je voulais en avoir le coeur net je suis rassuré maintenant :D

[@dndxander]

@@Mystogannehey can I hear the sound?

[@ND-kl8lo]

I think I actually have a timing chain rattle. also opening up the oil cap with the engine running its louder. sigh. not sure how to know for sure.

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Can you grab a video clip?

[@jonasgrumby1093]

Is it running…LOL The N55 is a great engine along with the N52

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Agreed. I had an '08 328i with the N52 and loved it. I was hesitant to go with a turbo, but the N55 has been really good so far

[@Nativ3Mex]

So is this a bad timing chain noise? I got a 2011 35i with an n55 misfiring and making a weird sound

[@SingleMaltMotors]

No, this one is good. If you can share a video of yours I can try to help

[@assasinofyouth1]

I have an x3 28i 2011 and the car has a strong vibration at around 1k rpm. If you keep rpm constant you can feel the whole car vibrating. Also, when driving slow and or breaking and it touches 1k rpm it vibrates as well. I have changed motor mounts and spark plugs prob 20k miles ago. Any idea? Car is driving me crazy driving especially in slow traffic. 🙏

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Hi friend, have you pulled the codes via OBD2? Any lights on the dash, e.g., SES, etc?

[@assasinofyouth1]

@@SingleMaltMotors no codes that's the strange part. I did some research and some say it could be the muffler support close to transmission causing a lot of vibration but no idea finding out?

[@SingleMaltMotors]

@@assasinofyouth1 Hi friend, sorry for delay was on vacation. Did a quick search for your symptoms, and there's some troubleshooting to do. If engine mounts and spark plugs are good, next up are belts/pulleys, air intake, and fuel injection. The latter two could be throttle body, fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel pressure. But I would guess that in that case the car would throw codes. In the event it's mechanical, e.g., the exhaust bracket, etc. may not throw codes until impacts another component. For what it's worth, I was chasing a rough idle on my 535i for many months. I replaced spark plugs, coils, belt, pulley, HP and LP fuel pump, and finally alternator. All made a positive difference, but it was ultimately the alternator (pulley) that really smoothed it out. Hope that helps and let me know what you find.

[@assasinofyouth1]

No worries mate hope you had a great time. Correction the vibration happens at around 1800-2200 rpms when car is in park or while driving slowly and the rpms fall in that range. It doesn't happen in other scenarios. I did replace the pulley, belt and AC compressor prob 2 years ago but I don't put much miles. Been reading forums and some say it could be torque converter? I will be replacing transmission oil/ pan and transfer case oil this weekend and see if it fixes it. I have been through a lot of money chasing this vibration. Any idea helps a lot. Thank you

[@mateuszstrozycki7566]

can you help me or does my chain need to be replaced? N55 200k km

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Hi friend, I will do my best to help you. What symptoms does your N55 exhibit? Any issues? Noises?

[@mateuszstrozycki7566]

@@SingleMaltMotors when the outside temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius, a momentary grinding noise can be heard when starting a cold engine. my first mechanic says he can hear the timing and the second one says he can't and I don't know what to do with it.

[@mateuszstrozycki7566]

@@SingleMaltMotors Is it possible to send you a video of the engine starting? if so, where?

[@SingleMaltMotors]

@@mateuszstrozycki7566 OK, that is consistent with timing chain and guide wear, in addition to the mileage. I would suggest you err on the side of caution and get quotes from local indy shops (or dealer, worse case scenario) for this job.

[@SingleMaltMotors]

@@mateuszstrozycki7566 Yes, you can upload to your KZbin channel and share a link here. I'll be happy to listen and give my opinion

[@GodKing804]

What do bad ones sound like on an n55?

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Listen out for loud whining and/or grinding noises. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmKac2iDYrWHqLM

[@GodKing804]

@@SingleMaltMotors wow that sounds like small metallic grinding, very noticeably different than injector noise! Thx man

[@da1sp07]

What does a slight whine on acceleration mean? Sometimes on cold starts

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Tough to troubleshoot without seeing/hearing. But could be timing chain. Also could be gearbox needs service, e.g., change transmission fluid, filter, and pan.

[@jaxwisher8165]

mine sounds like this

[@SingleMaltMotors]

Excellent