E39 M5 slight whine on constant throttle....
Discussion
On a smooth road I get a slight whine when holding a constant speed, diff or prop bearing do we think? It is getting a little worse per 1k not enough to worry yet but annoying none the less. I dont think it can be a rear wheel bearing as it appears to be drive train stress related.
Or it could just be the fuel gauage dropping!
Worth every penny though
Or it could just be the fuel gauage dropping!
Worth every penny though 
Sounds like the problem I have - it's driving me insane! See my thread on M5Board
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
I think by concensus it's likely to be driveshaft bearing - my car is going in for some work at my indy next week when hopefully when it's up on a ramp and running we can identify where the noise is coming from.
See threads below identifying the same problem:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
I think by concensus it's likely to be driveshaft bearing - my car is going in for some work at my indy next week when hopefully when it's up on a ramp and running we can identify where the noise is coming from.
See threads below identifying the same problem:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
The car's getting some work done at the moment. I had the gearbox oil changed out and my mechanic reported that it was a) black and b) had the consistency of water. He flushed out twice to make sure any bad oil was removed. There was a whine in lower gears which I hope is now greatly reduced as a result, but I don't believe this is the same noise which you are referring.
I also had the diff oil changed and the seals inspected. The driveshaft bearing was OK apparently, but one of my front wheel bearings was shot. I'm not sure this was the cause of the noise, but I'll be speaking to my mechanic this morning to find out a bit more. Incidentally, a new wheel bearing was £230 from BMW. I sourced one for £65 delivered (new with 12 months warranty) from Parts Gateway, although bmminiparts.co.uk were quoting £101 which wasn't bad.
I also had the diff oil changed and the seals inspected. The driveshaft bearing was OK apparently, but one of my front wheel bearings was shot. I'm not sure this was the cause of the noise, but I'll be speaking to my mechanic this morning to find out a bit more. Incidentally, a new wheel bearing was £230 from BMW. I sourced one for £65 delivered (new with 12 months warranty) from Parts Gateway, although bmminiparts.co.uk were quoting £101 which wasn't bad.
Well I got the car back last night with the gearbox oil changed, front and rear ARB bushes replaced and the right front wheel bearing replaced. The car was checked over pretty thoroughly and it appears that the diff wasn't leaking at all and the driveshaft bearing was OK too. My mechanic wasn't sure of the whine to which you and I both seem to be referring, but it is still there 
To be honest, I didn't emphasise enough that this was my major concern. The more I hear it though, the more I think it's a vacuum leak somewhere which only appears under load/part throttle.
To say it's frustrating is an understatement, as it's making me want to sell the car...
To be honest, I didn't emphasise enough that this was my major concern. The more I hear it though, the more I think it's a vacuum leak somewhere which only appears under load/part throttle. To say it's frustrating is an understatement, as it's making me want to sell the car...
Is it the same problem as mine though, i.e. only whining on part throttle? If not, I would suggest the prop bearing. I don't really have the time to take apart the intake manifold/plenum but I guess I'm going to have to. With the symptoms I have being related to throttle position I can't think what else it could be other than a vacuum leak.
roofer said:
Part throttle would make me suspect layshaft bearings.
The 'box whines a little in 1st, 2nd and 3rd (reduced a bit since the oil change - incidentally my mechanic tells me the old oil was akin to black coffee) but I suspect that whine is from slightly worn layshaft bearings rather than the whine to which the OP and I are referring. It only happens at 45mph+ and happens in any gear (3rd upwards) so I don't believe it is gearbox related. I've never comes across a problem that can't be solved after half an hour's googling until this one...
Roan
What happened, did the diff sort it out.
I have got a slight whine in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a loud one at 70-90mph in 5th and 6th. I have put this down to the car having doen 172K of mainly motorway miles. It doesnt bother me and the diff has had new oil and seals but Im wandering where to start when I do want it sorting.
What happened, did the diff sort it out.
I have got a slight whine in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a loud one at 70-90mph in 5th and 6th. I have put this down to the car having doen 172K of mainly motorway miles. It doesnt bother me and the diff has had new oil and seals but Im wandering where to start when I do want it sorting.
humpbackmaniac said:
On a smooth road I get a slight whine when holding a constant speed, diff or prop bearing do we think? It is getting a little worse per 1k not enough to worry yet but annoying none the less. I dont think it can be a rear wheel bearing as it appears to be drive train stress related.
Or it could just be the fuel gauage dropping! Worth every penny though
sounds like the same problem I hadOr it could just be the fuel gauage dropping!
Worth every penny though The grease in one of the transmission shaft joints was solid
try that?
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