Q: What causes loud high pitched whistling sound ?

asked by on December 03, 2016

My bmw is making a very loud high pitch whistling. It sounds like a siren. I took it to a mechanic and he replaced the valve cover but the noise still exists. Please tell me the problem. When I turn the car off the noise stops but when I turn it back on and drive for about 5 mins the sound comes back and it's very loud

My car has 170000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Of course it’s difficult to diagnose a noise without listening to it, but it sounds like you’re engine is trying to pull air through a passage that is not quite closing up. When the last mechanic replaced the valve cover, he was probably suspecting there was a restriction in the crankcase ventilation at the top of the cover. With a high pitched noise it can be difficult to get a fix on the direction that it comes from but here is a trick: get a piece of plastic or rubber hose about two or three feet long and put one end in your ear. If you wave the other end around, you’ll find that that it becomes a very directional kind of stethoscope, enabling you to pinpoint the origin of the sound easily. It will probably be a collapsed hose somewhere in the intake system, but it could even be something as simple as a loose gas cap. If you contact Your Mechanic they will send a technician to your home or office who can locate your noise and explain what you need to do to fix it..

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn on the headlights in a 2012 Dodge Ram?
You should always use your headlights when it is at all dark out. Headlights help you see better, help others see you, and are legally required. Turning on the headlights in your car is easy. Locate the headlight switch, which...
What does the AVG MPG feature in the message center mean?
Ever wonder just how good your car’s fuel economy is? Have you tried to measure it using math on your own? If so, you’ve likely found that your results don’t match up with how much gas your car burns on...
Car doesn't move when in gear. All gears seem like neutral except park.
It sounds to me like the place that did your last service made a mistake. The service you got and the symptoms you are having should not be related. Something must have been tampered with during the service causing the...
The car makes ticking sounds while idling
The pinging sound can be caused by many different faults. Without more detail about the noise, I will take the best guess I can at this point. If the vehicle is pinging at idle there is a chance that the...
engine will crank up but won't turn over
Hello and thanks for your question. With a vehicle that has only 7, 131 miles it should be working just fine. The engine will get hot after operating in driving conditions, especially if the engine was to be accelerated hard....
My 2001 BMW X5 won't start. I think it is due to power loss
Hello, the first questions to answer are "Are any problem codes set? Is your Check Engine light on?". Based on your observation of "no power", and your extended mileage, there are several problems likely that would result in "no power":...
Excessively high voltage in Throttle Position Sensor
I'm not sure why you are getting such a high voltage, but you are making one mistake when checking TPS voltage. The ECM sends a 5 volt reference voltage to the TPS which passes through a variable resistor of the...
O2 sensor replacement help needed.
The part that is covering the oxygen sensor is the heat shield on the exhaust manifold. You will have to remove the heat shield first to get the O2 sensor off. If you need further assistance with removing the heat...
2014 Prius 2 transition electric to gas is not smooth while driving
I would initially suspect an engine fault (or even something as mundane as bad gasoline; did the incident perhaps start after re-fueling?). There are some technical service bulletins relative to your model describing rough engine operation that was due to...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Cadillac STS
Big, Big, bold and beautiful, the 2011 Cadillac STS is a full-size, four-door sedan that promises more than ample room for the entire family, as well as the power and performance you expect from the automaker. 2011 marked the final...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 BMW 335d
Of Of all of the BMW 3-Series models available in this model year, the 2012 BMW 335d is one of the most powerful and subtlest on the road. This 4-dour sedan may look mild-mannered enough, but under the hood it’s...
How to Purchase a Pre-Owned BMW
BMW BMW offers a wide selection of luxury cars. In many circles, owning a BMW is a sign of success. While most balk at the price of a brand new BMC car, pre-owned models provide a viable alternative if you...