I have a 2006 r53 with 75000 mi... a friend recently said it is sounding like a sewing machine. kind of a whirring noise. I am pretty hard hearing and had not noticed it. it is defiantly engine and rpm related. Any ideas on what to look for? Supercharger belt is maybe 3 yrs old and 35,000 miles and don't see any signs of fraying. Thanks for any ideas!

 

Bushing in the alternator can make a whir (that becomes worse).

 

thanks, I will check the alternator. It has got worse as I can hear it now. I don't have a boost gauge but have not noticed any loss of performance.

 

is the oil up to level????

start simple .....

 

Or that's how it's supposed to sound.

Has your friend ever heard it before?

 

Are you able to possibly post a video of it for us?

 

Oil is up to level.. It is a new sound I am sure. I am most worried about possible supercharger issue. Can someone describe any warning sound before oil problem with supercharger? Or do belts start making more noise as they get more wear,I had a member put this one on right after I bought car. I am not sure about video, will look into. Thanks for response so far!

 

Replace timing chain tensioner its about 25 bucks. When these get stuck it makes a terrible racket. Mine was making that noise replaced it and it stopped

 

I watched video of tensioner and that is not the problem. My problem becomes noticeable around 2500 rpm and is more of a whurr sound. I have the TSW engine mount and maybe something has came loose and is vibrating . I emptied the glove box and took everything out of interior but that didn't fix it. I haven't had a chance to get under car and check for something vibrating.

 

there might be a bolt loose somewhere in the engine bay causing a washer to bounce. if it was timing chain you would hear it all the time

 

Sounds like a timing chain issue. Check YouTube for videos there are a few and if the noises match up I bet that's your issue

 

I'm going to throw this out there and suggest the possibility that the "whirring" sound your friend noticed is the normal whirring/whining sound the supercharger makes when it kicks in upon revving the engine?

The reason you are now noticing it after never noticing it prior is possibly because you have been made aware of it?

Of course, taking a quick video with your phone and posting it here will go a long way towards diagnosing what it actually is, rather than all of us taking stabs in the dark...

 

Maybe somebody swapped your motor overnight with a Subaru motor?!

Jk....
But sudden changes are issues...
The SC can make a bit of a whirr....but have you done any changes? A airfilter change can make the sound louder, as can a pulley change, or other mods...
If there are no changes....
Get a "mechanic's stethoscope"...or a homemade equivalent....
And check the alternator and pullies, and maybe the sc itself....try to narrow down WHERE the sound is coming from.

 

I have a friend with a mechanic's stethoscope , that is a good idea. Thanks for all the suggestions.