BMW squealing noise it’s not the belt! How to fix. Change the VVT Solenoid

The VVT or Vanos solenoid can cause weird squealing noses in your BMW engine. This was a 2013 X3 x28i.

[@xanderkhan]

I had the same noise but at random times at low speed. I changed both VANOS solenoids, and changed the whole drive belt kit including the alternator's pulley and still have this noise at times.

[@izekdeshotel6484]

Same bro idk what it is

[@verifiedgenius3383]

Mainly have it with the auto stop/start

[@bazhenovdenis]

Great! Initially, when opening the oil filler cap, there was no strong air leakage?

[@abuzar1]

Honestly I didn’t check that

[@abuzar1]

Are you thinking bad pcv valve?

[@bazhenovdenis]

⁠@@abuzar1no, just asking. In my case - it was PCV one(

[@CrucialAutomotive]

My 2012 f10 535i just started making this exact noise, it isn’t constant more so on idle sometimes and occasionally a light acceleration. Was hoping it wasn’t anything related to the crank pulley

[@abuzar1]

Do you have a check engine light?

[@CrucialAutomotive]

No check engine light or anything @@abuzar1

[@Bucks4L]

Samething for my 528i

[@Bucks4L]

My check engine light goes on and off occasionally

[@xanderkhan]

@@Bucks4L Is it still the case? Same issue, occasionnaly too and more on idle, on a 6' series E63. Hesitating between this and alternator's pulley's bearing, as i saw another video which shows a squeaky sound during STARTUP aswell. No check engine light for me tho.

[@ArgenisReyes-mg8yb]

Would unplugging the connectors stop the noise?

[@sharomesmith65]

I have a 2012 BMW X6 3.0 35i & it’s doing this same loud noise. So what part do I need to buy & replace?

[@abuzar1]

Vvt solenoid

[@Sughcc]

So my 2012 528i randomly started a squeaking problem. So first it starts off with a drivetrain malfunction message, then the squeaking comes on and then a check engine light comes on. Would this be the cause for it? Or something along the pulleys/belt? The noise goes away after giving it some gas, but it comes back when the car isn’t moving. Sometimes even putting the ac makes it pop up

[@abuzar1]

That’s probably it

[@staceytoney7336]

I have a 2013 bmw x5 35i how much can that cost me to replace that?

[@AXELBUCKTOWAR]

Its the serpentine belt tensioner going to and fro!Just put some lithium grease near its bolt and the squealing sound will cease at once. When you accelerate, the noise will disappear because stress on the crankshaft pulley makes the tensioner rigid. Definitely, its not the VVT

[@abuzar1]

It’s not the tensioner. I had already replaced the tensioner. This sound was also associated with drivability issues. Thirdly, as soon as the Vvt solenoid was replaced the sound was gone.

[@michaelgilman2691]

If you take the oil cap off as it's doing it and it goes away it's the valve cover

[@abuzar1]

40 thousand miles later and it’s fine

[@michaelgilman2691]

That noise may have went away for a little while but that's your valve cover needing to be replaced there is a valve built in to the cover and it's sucking air through it. Had the same. Issue

[@ericthemafiaguy]

I’m getting the same noise when I hit the gas and sometimes it drops the rpm’s and kills the car but after letting it sit for 10 minutes or so till the computers reset it seems to work fine again so your saying if I replace the gasket all this would stop?

[@TheodoreLee00]

Hi bro, id like to ask, when you had this problem and when you revved your engine up to 2.5k - 3k rpms, did the noise go away? I have a similar issue with my 2014 N20 528i and when engine is warm, it makes a similar noise ( more like a straight screech no rythemic screeches as seen in the video) after revving it up it goes away until engine is turned off and the cycle repeats id also like to add when it makes the screeching noise, the rpm fluctuates a little bit between 900-1.2k rpms. On cold starts it doesn't do any of this. Any info will be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!

[@princessis04]

Mine is the same with 2011 328i did you figure anything out?

[@chrishwonwoodson4866]

Mine to on my 320i did u find anything out?

[@AnonymousCortex]

I have this same exact (absolute exact) issue as you. So I need to know what’s going on.

[@samerguirgis430]

Most probably it's the pcv valve or you have a cracked valve cover. I recommend you replace the pcv valve and clean both vanos solenoids well. If it doesn't fix the problem, the valve cover would be the fix.

[@ShanicePrince-k3m]

I have the same noise I got one v/v change my code pop up P0015 do I need to get both changed

[@abuzar1]

The aftermarket parts are hit or miss. Usually the oem part fixes it. If it doesn’t you might have other problems.

[@lc7123]

Can you drive the car for a little longer before replacing the part??

[@abuzar1]

It will start running really rough and misfiring. I would not recommend it. The part is very cheap.

[@michaelgilman2691]

Yeah I have that same. Noise I bought two brand new ones twice when I replaced them that noise started after 15 seconds of idling but it was much quieter. Never actually fixed my issue but of course I bet it does in this video. My camshaft position sensor code p054b is on. Not to say that another code won't come on but I'm going to at least replace the camshaft sensor. I'm sure it won't fix it either my fuckin luck. What are the odds of having 2 brand new ones making it actually worse??

[@jamesgoldring5538]

my 528is making a similar noise, i thought it was the turbo.. does this throw a code ?

[@abuzar1]

Sometimes it throws a code for the vvt solenoid

[@jebubba617]

Misleading information, a you never disconnect any connectors before disconnecting the battery! B that noise is not from the VVT! I agree with the guy that said it was your belt tensioner fully. I’m having the same problem on my car. After having my car inspected and the problem diagnosed my problem, which sounds the same as your problem is the belt tensioner fully. But I’m also doing upgrades to my N20 engine, new turbo, wastegate, downpipe charge pipe oil filter, housing gasket, oil pan gasket valve cover gasket valve cover and more, but I can tell you now that noise is not from the vvt

[@abuzar1]

You don’t work on cars. I disconnect connectors all the time and almost never disconnect the battery. Hell you can even disconnect connectors while the car is running when you need to diagnose stuff. I had already changed the tensioner and belt on this car. The noise was intermittent so clearly not belt or tensioner. Also it went away after changing the solenoid. As you can see in the video. I have no reason to lie. Don’t call my information misleading because I’m educating people about something uncommon.

[@ArgenisReyes-mg8yb]

Would unplugging the connectors stop the noise

[@abuzar1]

I’m not sure try it and see. But you really need the vvt solenoids for variable valve timing. I would not suggest driving around with the connector unplugged.

[@arjayreyes728]

@@abuzar1 It sounds very similar to mine. kzbin.infoJt7kUCBt-fg?si=_22t6QTd8TZ1iGIp i changed the VVT solenoids and noise remains there.

[@JuanRodriguez-ov8lx]

I replaced those. It resumed immediately after replacing those. It also idles roughly. Code is vanos something.

[@Sozzitv]

Vanos 💀💀 fucked

[@abuzar1]

Did you get oem ones? Aftermarket ones can be hit or miss.

[@JuanRodriguez-ov8lx]

@@abuzar1 I did

[@abuzar1]

@@JuanRodriguez-ov8lx I hope the above poster is not correct but there is a possibility you have a problem with the vanos. If a simple fix didn’t work get it checked out by a BMW mechanic. What’s the exact code?

[@DONDIARIES]

My 2013 bmw 328i sounds very similar and jerks while driving as well code p0172 pops up , what’s the best fix ?

[@archrgone105]

you have the 4cyl or 6, I have the 4 and the vvt is different with 4cyl then 6 but mine sounds like this when it does it, driving me nuts when it does, i just rev it and it goes away but want to address it also, if you figure it out let me know asap.

[@DONDIARIES]

@@archrgone105 thank you! I’ll be working on it !

[@ForChungCookie]

@@archrgone105I also have a 4 cyclinder n20 and it makes this noise at idle and rpm after driving the car for a while (like 20 minutes or more) continuously. The noise goes away under load and higher RPM. I thought it was the belt and tension and replaced both, the noise is still present under the same condition. No CEL no Error…

[@mikemane830]

Crank shaft pulley

[@michaelgilman2691]

Lmao can't hear ya bro