Question about noises while idling.

[Dr_Smith]

It's the auxiliary water pump. I've had mine in a half dozen times to fix it, pump replaced twice. It never goes away. They tell me "all BMWs make this noise"....

[mmpredmo]

Thanks for your input.

I compared mine with Sid's and his is a LOT quieter so that makes me believe that while it may be common it is not normal. Sid's is so quiet that you can hear the "whistle" of the intake when revved which is where I would like my noise to get to. I would prefer to hear the engine when accelerating briskly and not really otherwise which may be unreasonable.

But as it is, it sounds like I am in reverse at 20 MPH in a toyota corolla all of the time which is really annoying.

[StanF18]

Rob,

What gas brand/grade are you using? Also, are there any mods (exhaust, intake, etc.)?

[xrob]

Hi Stan,

I use Sheetz 93 or Exxon, as both of these stations are nearby. I've started to read about gas quality and see that neither of these are listed on the "good gas" sites. What would you recommend?

No mods under the hood as of yet and no exhaust mods. Pretty much a standard 2005 4.4 (December 2004 build).

Thanks for the advice everyone,

Rob

[mmpredmo]

I got the X back from the dealer today and BMW had them reflash the DME (I'm guessing some aspect of the computer which controls ignition advance etc.)

They said if it doesn't get better with the cold start problem to bring it back and they will finally open up the motor and check the intermediate levers. I have been using Chevron 93 with the exception of one fill up of Exxon (went there a second time and saw the 10% ethanol sticker).

My noise was diagnosed as coming from the aux water pump. They are checking with BMW to see if they will replace based on noise alone. The fact that they are having to check makes me think the answer is no. I guess they aren't having to "whine" everywhere they go...

[JCN83]

man, i have experienced ALL of the problems you are referencing. i, too, have a 2005 4.4 (produced in Dec. of '04). Apparently a bad month for production.

my x has been in the shop 3 times in the last 5 weeks. most recently, i took the car in a week ago for it's third round of check engine lights. the car was misfiring and now they think i need to have the intermediate levers replaced (which apparently takes about another week to do). this is getting RIDICULOUS.

not to mention, apparently my aux. water pump is bad! i have the same exact sounds coming from my fan and i told them about it - only to have the service tech tell me they "couldn't reproduce anything of the sort".

let me know what happens mmpredmo...we're both in for a journey. i just bought mine (CPO'd) a few months ago - regretting the decision!

[xrob]

JCN,

When you bought the car, did they run a service history for you? They can print you out a list of every repair and fix that was performed on the vehicle prior to you taking ownership. I felt pretty good about purchasing my 05 X 4.4 as the service history was bare with the exception of an oil service and a bad bluetooth module (which they upgraded to the one that has voice recognition, which was a bonus for me!).

I'm curious to know what that report said.

Good luck to you both.

Rob

[mmpredmo]

My build date is Nov, 2004.

While not directed at me, I can say that my service history was bare as well except for a couple of oil changes and an Inspection I. The only explanations I can think of are that the original owner was a socialite and not an enthusiast or it was never cold enough to act up as it is from West Palm Beach, FL. The front door handles were peeling very badly when I took possession and that plus other cosmetics were quickly rectified under warranty. I wonder if the original owner had ever even asked.

My battery failed on Friday (the day after I got it back) and I will say that once they replaced that the same day with an hour wait, it is running much, much, much better. I don't know if it was the reflash combined with the reset of the system while the battery was disconnected or just a battery about to go bad that was contributing to it acting up.

I am still scheduled in a couple of weeks to replace the passenger mirror motor since it stopped returning after tilting down for reverse on occasion. After the battery, I am so much happier that the past four service interruptions have been more than worth it. I don't know if I will even go through with the intermediate lever inspection now as the dealer is 30 miles away and a week's interruption would be a hassle.

[mmpredmo]

well, the stumbling while cold has resurfaced. Guess I will let them go ahead and test / replace the intermediate levers.