Whistling noise

Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:10 pm

Alright I am new to this forum as well as owning my e30. I have a 1987 325is and I got it last weekend. When ever I start it, it has a whistling/whining noise coming from around the engine it stay even when revved. I was wanting to know what it was and if it's a concern. I live in Texas, USA. Also what type of oil is recommended for this car. Thank you for any and all help.

Wed Sep 23, 2015 7:44 am

Hello Stevenld, whistling/whining noise, check the belts for tension, bearings on water pump, idler pulleys, alternator, ect for wear could be the cause or slipping belt. Link below for wiki on oil, cheers.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Oil

Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:49 am

Blown inlet manifold to head gasket will make a whistling noise as well.
Take a metre length of garden hose, stick one end in your ear, and mover the other around the engine bay until you find where the noise is coming from.
Removing the drive belts and running the engine for half a minute will eliminate some of the possible causes above.
Has the cambelt been changed recently?

Sun Sep 27, 2015 7:16 am

I've had the car about a week and still trying to figure out how to get my clutch master cylinder replaced. Once I get it drivable then I'll be able to look more into the noise or at least point of origin. It sound like a vacuum line sucking through a pin hole or something.

Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:12 am

Stevenld wrote:I've had the car about a week and still trying to figure out how to get my clutch master cylinder replaced.

There are good reasons for recommending that you replace the slave cylinder as well at the same time.
Both easy enough DIY jobs, although bleeding the clutch system from dry can be a bit frustrating.