Can this be considered "healthy"? Please, share your thoughts!

Bac · 03-14-2026, 08:02 PM

Hi Everyone,

Attached, you can find a short vid of my E90 N52B25 engine idle - to put it more into context, the car went through, not aggressive, but mid and fairly easy ride. Roughly 100KM.

https://youtube.com/shorts/9QNQV8UnxCc

Aside from ticking, there is an almost high-pitched buzzing in the background. I assume the second one is connected to the alternator or starter.

lookalikehuuh · 03-15-2026, 12:19 PM

It should be pretty easy for you to figure out where the sound is coming from.

https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html

Pick up something similar to this, and touch the outside metal parts of the engine while the engine is running to see where the sound is coming from. Be careful not to touch any internals or get it stuck on anything that is moving of course.

Bac · 03-15-2026, 01:44 PM

Oh, never thought of this. For sure, I will give it a go as it quite troubles me. These engines are known (supposedly) for their work culture and somewhat of a reliability. Buzzing and rattling is far from that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

It should be pretty easy for you to figure out where the sound is coming from.

https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html

Pick up something similar to this, and touch the outside metal parts of the engine while the engine is running to see where the sound is coming from. Be careful not to touch any internals or get it stuck on anything that is moving of course.

03-14-2026, 08:02 PM	#1
Bac New Member 11 Rep 14 Posts Drives: E90 325i '05 Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Poland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW 325i E90 [0.00]	Can this be considered "healthy"? Please, share your thoughts! Hi Everyone, Attached, you can find a short vid of my E90 N52B25 engine idle - to put it more into context, the car went through, not aggressive, but mid and fairly easy ride. Roughly 100KM. https://youtube.com/shorts/9QNQV8UnxCc Aside from ticking, there is an almost high-pitched buzzing in the background. I assume the second one is connected to the alternator or starter.
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03-15-2026, 12:19 PM	#2
lookalikehuuh Colonel 1883 Rep 2,177 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	It should be pretty easy for you to figure out where the sound is coming from. https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html Pick up something similar to this, and touch the outside metal parts of the engine while the engine is running to see where the sound is coming from. Be careful not to touch any internals or get it stuck on anything that is moving of course.
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