Hissing noise coming from left side if engine

[txz4]

As the title says.... Hissis loudly and is easy to distinguish up until about 3k. If you pop the hood you can hear it definitely coming from the left side while looking at it at idle. (ie. Not from the intake side)

[Z4-VILLA]

mileage?

[ZStig]

snake or vacuum leak

[Z4-VILLA]

i think its the vanos....but thats just me.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

snake or vacuum leak

+1

[Incompatible]

Try using a mechanic's stethoscope or even a cardboard tube to isolate the location/source of the hiss.

[Z4-VILLA]

i concur.

[txz4]

26000 miles, i stuck my head in the cavity near the left of the engine and the closer you get the louder it gets. i dont think its a snake but seeing as im in texas i can double check......not. what could i look for to determine if its a vacuum leak or the vanos? also, does the engine on these cars often tick a little bit?

[txz4]

according to bmw, this is normal. i took the car in for an oil change and they checked it out for me, i even went back there to talk to the tech about it.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by txz4

according to bmw, this is normal. i took the car in for an oil change and they checked it out for me, i even went back there to talk to the tech about it.

According to BMW, every problem a car has is normal. That's the SOP (standard operating procedure).

I assume this sound has not been there during most of the time you've owned the car and it's a "new" sound that isn't normal in terms of what's normal for your car, correct? If so, it's hardly "normal".

I'd still check for a loose hose or other source of vacuum leak and I wouldn't take the dealer's word that it's normal. It might be something else--hard to say w/o being there in person. But you've seen the threads around here on service, right? Again, if the car hasn't been making this noise, and now does, that's not something I'd give a pass because some joker says it's "normal".

Why not check out the TX thread and see if you can connect with some of the guys and get their opinion....

[Z4-VILLA]

yeah BMW is full of shit most of the time....but they also fold easier than girls at my college....just keep on them and they will give it up ...easy.
the service i mean...lol

[txz4]

yeah ive heard about how full of bs they are.... i listened to a 3.0i that was there at the same time and you could here it slightly. my cars always made that noise, but since i bought a K&N its been a little louder.... btw i just bought the car like maybe two weeks ago so i dunno. i think i might just be trying to diagnose every little thing because its new.

[Z4-VILLA]

btw si's are so under rated.....paddle shift + ess supercharger?= omfg.

[txz4]

Originally Posted by Z4-Villalona

btw si's are so under rated.....paddle shift + ess supercharger?= omfg.

if only i had one.... but yes, when i tested the car i was not expected the performance that the car delivers.