My 05 3.0i x5 has developed a strange grating sort of noise from the front of the engine.Its not there on start up but develops when the engine settles down to normal tick over. I thought it was the vanos at first but decided to change the pulleys and the belts . Made no diference still there.
I then took the serpentine belt off , left the air con belt on , and started it up. No noise . So its either the alternator , the water pump or the steering pump . None of them make any noise when I spin them by hand . Although the steering pump makes a bit of a rattle when I spin it left/right quickly with my fingers. Its a dry grating sort of noise similar to the vanos rattle .
The x only has 30k miles and has been dealer serviced up till now. Any Ideas as to what you think it may be are more than welcome.