Help me diagnosis my new 1 series noise

[Josh (PA)]

A couple days ago, my 2011 n55 135i started making a new rpm dependent whining noise. It is independent of whether the car (manual) is in gear or neutral, rolling or stationary, ac compressor is on or off and steering angle. I haven't noticed any change in steering force

Honestly, it seems to be coming from the oil filter housing assembly. If I put a screwdriver on the assembly and listen there, it seems most connected to that. I originally assumed it was the alternator, but now am not sure. The video was shot with the engine holding about 2500 rpm, where the noise seems loudest.

I know the video quality sucks, but I tried to move the phone around the various areas of the engine bay. I took the air intake up to the filter and engine cover off to better hear the areas around the belts. At the end of the video I rev the engine to highlight the volume and pitch change of the sound. Any help would be super appreciated.

Thanks

https://youtu.be/i-C7kmPUKzs

[3LOU5]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

A couple days ago, my 2011 n55 135i started making a new rpm dependent whining noise. It is independent of whether the car (manual) is in gear or neutral, rolling or stationary, ac compressor is on or off and steering angle. I haven't noticed any change in steering force

Honestly, it seems to be coming from the oil filter housing assembly. If I put a screwdriver on the assembly and listen there, it seems most connected to that. I originally assumed it was the alternator, but now am not sure. The video was shot with the engine holding about 2500 rpm, where the noise seems loudest.

I know the video quality sucks, but I tried to move the phone around the various areas of the engine bay. I took the air intake up to the filter and engine cover off to better hear the areas around the belts. At the end of the video I rev the engine to highlight the volume and pitch change of the sound. Any help would be super appreciated.

Thanks

https://youtu.be/i-C7kmPUKzs

Sounds like the bearing of a pulley needs a bit of grease.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

Sounds like the bearing of a pulley needs a bit of grease.

I figured that was worth a try too (even though I think all the pulley bearings are sealed), so I hit all of them with a spray of WD40 and the noise didn't change. (That's the overspray you see in the video)

When I put a screw driver on the oil filter housing, and listen through the top of the screwdriver (red neck stethascope) the sound is really loud. The alternator doesn't port the sound much at all.