E60 545i funny engine noise

[Animal]

Hi All,

New car has funny noise: under even a small amount of throttle I keep hearing a high-pitched constant whine or squeak (possibly a loose belt??) that increases slightly in pitch and volume with speed - any ideas?

Car is still under warranty so will be going back to the dealer, but I'd like an idea of what it is before speaking to them.

Thanks

[Max M4X WW]

As you say could be a belt, though this would normally go away with higher revs.

Its probably a tensioner, or possibly a pump or alternator etc.

[Animal]

Thanks, I think I'll go and visit my nearest BMW dealer and get an opinion from them. It'll be worth the cost to find out how serious or trivial the problem is.

[Max M4X WW]

Is that who the car is under warranty with?

[Animal]

Max M4X WW said:

Is that who the car is under warranty with?

No, was bought from Stratstone Jag/Land Rover in Aylesbury, but if I'm going to argue the toss with them I'd like an opinion from someone who knows the cars. Hopefully nothing serious though!

[Animal]

Update: took the car to Specialist Cars Tring and as soon as I started the engine the tech confirmed it's the water pump.

[tgr]

Hope for your sake the engine hasn't overheated as a consequence. Keep an eye on it. Provided it hasn't, you're in clover knowing that the water pump is brand new

[Animal]

tgr said:

Hope for your sake the engine hasn't overheated as a consequence. Keep an eye on it. Provided it hasn't, you're in clover knowing that the water pump is brand new

Apparently the belt for the pump was fairly new so it's had some attention in the recent past, but I doubt the engine would have overheated - all my journeys to date (bar one) have been too short!