2003 BMW X5 4.6is noise

[Nice540bro]

Having a strange noise coming from engine bay, no check engine lights and if occurs after about 10 min after start up. Maybe it’s the alternator shit the bed but I want to be sure before I purchase one.Here’s a link to the video I took.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bcDqhi_A9ZE

[rwm514]

Hmm, hard to tell.
Does the noise go away after a while? Did you test the alternator or just guessing?

[Nice540bro]

No I haven’t tested the alternator yet, I’m guessing alternator because the vehicle has almost 110,000 miles and they are common to failing in the x5’s. Also does a bad alternator trigger a check engine light?

[EODguy]

Yes an alternator can give you fits, as to checking on a noise I use the old shade tree method of a wooden dowel rod.

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[Nice540bro]

I appreciate it guys, the red battery icon illuminated today which is the alternator.

[Loperamide]

Have your timing chain guides been done?

[Nice540bro]

Not yet, it has 105,000 miles and no problems yet (knock on wood) but a buddy of man had a 540i that went all the way up to 220,000 miles on original guides and told me his secret was 10w-50 in the summer time.

[jcp240z]

Just don’t wait to late for guides, especially with a 4.6. The motors are rare and if the guides go, it typically trashes the engine, which you can’t replace, not easily like a 4.4. Did mine at 120k, 15 years. Found them extremely brittle, which should not be the case. You could grab an edge and easily snap off a chunk.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Nice540bro

Not yet, it has 105,000 miles and no problems yet (knock on wood) but a buddy of man had a 540i that went all the way up to 220,000 miles on original guides and told me his secret was 10w-50 in the summer time.

Do yourself a favor and get the timing guides done on the X5. You will want to preserve your 4.6is engine. Its time