Vibration at idle ... I know it has been discussed

[vinzer]

Hello all,

I am lucky owner of X5 E53 2001. I was reading this forum for a long time and was even posting some stuff here. I found extremely many useful info here which helped me to save a lot of $ and fix many problems by my self.

Recently (3-4 month I think) ago I start to feel vibration while at idle. Vibration happens only when I am on D or R and holding my leg on the Brake pedal. Vibration goes over all vehicle, I can feel how seat vibrates and steering wheel also. With the time (1-2 month) vibration become stronger.
First I assumed that this is Engine mounts. I bought two new mounts for engine and changed them. Nothing changed Still vibrating as hell. I did not change the mount of transmission. But I do not think that it will help.
Yesterday I checked my RPMs via OBD port.

While on Idle and shifter in Park position: 770-790 rpm (no vibration)
While on Idle and shifter in Drive position: 705-715 rpm (vibration present)
While on idle and shifter in Drive position and I put RPMs to 795-815 rpm - almost no vibration present.

Here is a question - my RPMs are normal ? or too low ?
What else would you suggest to check - idle regulator ? transmission ? rear engine (transmission) mount ?

Thank you in advance for any suggestion. Also I want to know if any one was having similar problems and found the way to fix these ?

[lp01]

Heya,

I recently posted about this problem. I noticed that my rpm while idling were different depending on the gear (P, N and R around 670 rpm and D around 600), but my engine is diesel.

I will soon pay a visit to a dealer, hoping it will be something simple. Nevertheless, whatever the root cause of this problem I know I can solve it increasing the idle speed while in "D" a little bit; say ~60 or 70 rpm.

Weasel has confirmed it is possible to do it in 10 rpm intervals, so it should eliminate the vibration. Nevertheless, my dealer (over the phone when I was explaining the problem) told me they never change the idle speed, etc, etc. I guess I will have to be very "persuasive" on this issue.

Note that, even in the scenario of solving the problem incresing slightly the idle speed, the vibration root cause will still be there, waiting for other opportunity to come off at this new idle speed seting, which is annoying

I've researched this problem in X5's and other BMWs and seems to be no straight answer. Maybe there are a lot of possible causes; maybe it is some kind of ressonant frequency related with car structure since it is affecting both diesel and petrol engines... who knows

I also whished someone would solve this problem once and for all. And take a look at my post: I found the problem to be dependant on car "inclination", however I don't know if this will ever help...

Cheers

[vinzer]

The only one problem with increasing idle's rmp can be - transmission. If factory says it should be let's say 680rpm (+- 20 rpm) when in D or R, than extra 50-100 rpms may damage transmission since such higher rpms will push tranny to be in always higher than normal oil pressure state. I am not sure that increasing rpms should help. However if my rpms which I posted are lower than normal than this is the case.

[jayvx5]

I seem to be having the same problem as well. For some reason while in drive and at a complete stop, the vibration is so bad that it causes the steering wheel to shake so vigorously that the noise travels throughout the whole vehicle. I know that I'm in need of a steering rack, but I don't believe the 2 are connected. It's quite annoying.