Broken Plastic Peg - Sounds/Squeaking and Smell from Engine Bay

tlin · 02-18-2023, 12:44 PM

2012 535i, 86K miles. Second owner, adult owned (no chips/tunes/mods/etc. at all).

Recently started hearing squeaks or odd noises from rear of engine, Passenger Side. I don't drive it much and do NOT drive this car hard (i.e. never use too much throttle until engine temps are "normal", never punch it off the line, etc.).

This is NOT smoke/oil smell symptomatic of a leaking valve cover gasket, FYI.

PLEASE watch this video!

The two have to be related (squeaks/knocks - the sound changes/smell and broken plastic piece). Anyone know what this piece is and what it supports/holds/etc.?

Hoping to get some guidance before I try to look around a very cramped engine bay. I only have Race Ramps so my access underneath the car isn't optimal.

Thanks in advance!!!

tlin · 02-18-2023, 12:52 PM

Plastic piece that is now....not in the engine bay

Hoa · 02-19-2023, 08:28 AM

You are probably hearing the rattle of the wastegate near the exhaust manifold. It is normal to hear it. You can adjust it to make reduce the play which reduce the noise.

Ticking sound under valve cover are just injectors clicking which is also normal.

tlin · 02-19-2023, 12:51 PM

Hoa - thank you for the feedback! This helps!

That said, the sounds I'm hearing are intermittent and this also (at least to me) doesn't explain the occasional squeaking and slight burnt-plastic smell I'm experiencing.

Anyone have an idea what that broken plastic stud is for?

Taking some time off tomorrow to dig in....

02-18-2023, 12:44 PM	#1
tlin New Member 10 Rep 13 Posts Drives: Lexus GX470 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	Broken Plastic Peg - Sounds/Squeaking and Smell from Engine Bay 2012 535i, 86K miles. Second owner, adult owned (no chips/tunes/mods/etc. at all). Recently started hearing squeaks or odd noises from rear of engine, Passenger Side. I don't drive it much and do NOT drive this car hard (i.e. never use too much throttle until engine temps are "normal", never punch it off the line, etc.). This is NOT smoke/oil smell symptomatic of a leaking valve cover gasket, FYI. PLEASE watch this video! The two have to be related (squeaks/knocks - the sound changes/smell and broken plastic piece). Anyone know what this piece is and what it supports/holds/etc.? Hoping to get some guidance before I try to look around a very cramped engine bay. I only have Race Ramps so my access underneath the car isn't optimal. Thanks in advance!!!
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02-18-2023, 12:52 PM	#2
tlin New Member 10 Rep 13 Posts Drives: Lexus GX470 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	Plastic piece that is now....not in the engine bay Attached Images
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02-19-2023, 08:28 AM	#3
Hoa Major 513 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA iTrader: (9)	You are probably hearing the rattle of the wastegate near the exhaust manifold. It is normal to hear it. You can adjust it to make reduce the play which reduce the noise. Ticking sound under valve cover are just injectors clicking which is also normal.
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02-19-2023, 12:51 PM	#4
tlin New Member 10 Rep 13 Posts Drives: Lexus GX470 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	Hoa - thank you for the feedback! This helps! That said, the sounds I'm hearing are intermittent and this also (at least to me) doesn't explain the occasional squeaking and slight burnt-plastic smell I'm experiencing. Anyone have an idea what that broken plastic stud is for? Taking some time off tomorrow to dig in....
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