Question about noises while idling.

[xrob]

Hi all,

I've searched the archives and found several articles about the "rough idle" and cold start issues and I do not think this applies to my problem, so I thought I would ask my own question now. Thanks for the help in advance!

I have a 2005 4.4L which I just picked up in January of 2008. The car has been great thus far and I've only had a few issues with it which were "fixed" by the dealer, one of which involved re-programming/re-loading software for the transmission (which did help my lurching stops).

Anyway, the issue that I may or may not be having now is a slightly strange idle. When I turn off the ac/heat/fan system (which seems to be pretty loud in this vehicle compared to other BMWs I've driven, is this normal?), I notice my car idling in a somewhat cyclical way. I do not see the tach moving up and down, so perhaps it could be something else? It's almost like it pulses while it's idling.

The idle noise itself sounds fairly normal but may be a bit rough (again, I don't know the X5s well enough to tell and I'm coming from a 2001 325 wagon which did not have this issue). Just thought I would check and see if this is normal activity for the vehicle before I started to take any course of action with the dealer or otherwise.

Unfortunately, it's been cold (5 - 45 degrees F) the whole time I've owned the X, so I'm not sure if it's a weather issue yet.

As always, thanks so much for the information,

Rob H

[xrob]

Anyone? Thanks.

Rob

[mmpredmo]

My 2005 X5 4.4 non-sport behaves the same. A 2005 X5 sport I drove before buying this one did not have the issue and idled quieter. It is going back to the dealer next Wednesday on its third trip for final diagnosis and hopefully repair. The software was update the first trip, the computer settings and log were uploaded to BMW NA on the second trip and they have been analyzing it under "PUMA"?

I will let you know what I find out next week. I believe it is cold weather related since it seems to make the condition worse. My truck spent its first three years in West Palm Beach, FL so I do not know if the original owner observed the symptoms or not.

[xrob]

Thanks for the info. Please let me know what you find out. It is fairly annoying and I'm hoping there is a simple fix, but the software update/transmission reset done at the dealer did nothing.

Rob

[mmpredmo]

will do. If it's any consolation, another local member, Sid Miller, has the same issue but his appears to be doing better after the software fixes.

I saw your avatar and thought of Churchill's speech on PowerSlave and thought it appropriate:


we shall go on to the end.
we shall fight in france, we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air,
we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields, and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender

[xrob]

Thank you for that. I love it. I just got the re-issued Live After Death on DVD. What a walk down memory lane that was. I am thinking about going to see them this summer as they are touring the old World Slavery Tour after 20+ years. Did you see photos of the jet?

With regard to the engine issues, please let me know what happens. I am curious to find out and make a return trip to the dealer.

Take care,

Rob

[KENT4.8IS]

Did you turn your fan completely off?

I can hear whining, pulsating noise at low fan speed. Dealer found defective aux water pump. Replaced once, sound disappeared for 3 days.
Now it is back again. Dealer ordered new pump. We'll see if it works this time. The sound is not loud but once you hear it it gets annoying. At higher fan speed I do not hear it.

[xrob]

Yes, when I turn the fan off, the sound is still present. The noise of the fan system is another deal entirely. It also seems loud, but I'm more concerned about the engine than the hvac.

Thanks for the advice, though. I'll list the pump as a possible source of trouble for my dealer when I bring it in.

Rob

[Mtech]

i've had the same problem before seems to be fixed by keeping the oil level topped off. it seems to happen on startup.

[mmpredmo]

I had not seen the jet as of yet but it is here for anyone interested:

http://www.ironmaiden.com/index.php?..._articleid=808

The closest show to me looks like Houston - don't know if I will be able to make the trip but it would be fun.


My noise sounds like an alternator bearing or electrical generator that varies with RPM and not speed of the vehicle. I am officially going back in for the rough idle and engine stumbling when outside temp is below 45. I will have them reassess the noise too as that bothers me more than the stumble as the temps increase. I will be sure to post whatever the dealer discovers.

I have an appointment to meet with Sid from the board tomorrow so that we can compare two fairly identical 2005 4.4's to see if the noise is truly "normal" as the dealer professed earlier.

My X5 goes back to the dealer on Wednesday. I will also likely pay a diagnostic fee to a local independent who has been highly recommended if the dealer is still unable to correct it. I want the cause to be discovered and corrected as quickly as possible because it is quite annoying.


Matt