Interesting... Are those accessible from he outside (i.e. without removing gearbox) at all?

Thank you for that. Yes, I thought it would be located on the front. The noise does not seem to be coming from the front of the engine, but the rear (bottom).

I put a screwdriver to my ear on the cats, and they sounded absolutely fine so not those.

As for the torque converter, no issues at all driving. Gear changes etc all good.

As for the water pump, was your rattle noise appearing to come from the location I mentioned, and where is the water pump ...

Hey X5 Sport. I have already stripped out the boot area as suspected the high pitch noise may be the susension pump, but no it was the fuel pump. So pretty sure it's not that. The scratching is definitely somewhere in the fuel tank region, and the suspension pump is a but further back I think ...

Hi henrym3

Yes, I'm liking that idea. I'll give that a try!

I'll be back with the results, and any other ideas most welcome in the meantime!!

The new pump fitted absolutely perfectly, as did the old one that was removed.

No warping etc to the frame, all seemed perfect.

I'm thinking unlikely that the noise is from the fuel pump as it's had two and the noise is still there. But unsure what else is in there (or near) that could make the ...

Yes, kind of has a very slow turning bearing kind of sound I guess. Definitely sounds rotational, but not very quick.

Definitely only noticeable up close, but does not sound like a good sound!!!

Hi guys!

I recently got a 4.8is and noted it had a rattle noise from the engine area. I'm pretty sure it's not cam chain related as that would (I beleive!) normally manifest itself upon cold start up due to the oil pressure being initially low. I also thought maybe vanos, but by further ...

Hi guys!

Ok, so I have a high pitched electrical noise noticeable from standing outside the car next to the rear drivers side door especially. It was advised this was likely the fuel pump...

I managed to get the car on a ramp, went underneath with the engine running and the high pitched noise ...

Damn it - why didn't I think of that!!! Yes, makes sense. I'll try again later and pop the fuel cap off and have a good listen.

Will let you know...

Hey guys!

Sorry for the delay but a mad couple of days with work etc.

Ok, update on this...

I listened very carefully again first in the boot for the air suspension compressor - zero noise there.

So listened from the rear side of the car next to rear wheel. Noted the noise is loudest under the ...

Hey greydog and ianp, both good points!

As for te rattle on start up I would say no. I will check this again later, but from memory no rattle on cold start, and all seems ok at first until the revs drop (settle down to normal idle spped as idles at higher revs when you first start it of course). I ...

I'm going to run some tests on this later and let you guys know. The main thing that bothers me is if it were the fuel pump under the rear seats, or maybe the air suspension compressor in the boot, then you would hear the nose inside the car, right?

I don't recall ever hearing it inside, but i'll ...

Good point. I guess maybe the pump could be overworked if the fuel filter is blocked??

Yes, I guess so. The suspension does not leak overnight etc, i.e. it's at the same heght it was the day before when you come back to the car. I assume if there was a leak the level would drop?