Ticking noise

[voytek]

I need some help to identify the noise, which just appeared in the car. My 3.0d went for 30K service (basically only the oil change) few days ago and after that I noticed a very strange noise. It occurs only when car is cold and disapears when warm. It is like ticking coming from underneath the car. Cannot pinpoint it as yet without crawling under but it seems to come rather from the front. It varies in frequency from about 60 ticks per minute to twice as much. It does not depend on engine speed and disapearrs when I switch the engine off therfore eliminating suspicion that it is expanding exhust system. I'm facing very long drive (2000km) just before Christmas and somehow it bothers me. Hope it is nothing serious. The idea of going to the dealer again and explaining the noise, which will disapear by the time I get there, does not appeal to me. Have you got any ideas?
Voytek

[X5Sport]

It's the air conditioning pre-heater. Only works in cold weather and allows the a/c system to warm up faster. On my RHD version there is a small exhaust system under the passenger side front (under the car), and a large Webasto heater unit on the RHS as you look at the engine bay.

nothing to worry about

[voytek]

Thanks a lot, that explanation would make sense since I always have the AC switched on and last few days the temperatue went down considerably. I'm so relieved. So the engine will not blow out while I'm doing 200k on German autobahn. Once again thanks.
Voytek

[X5 Sport]

This always happens this time of year ! Just turn the fan off and the noise will go away.( just to put your mind at rest further)

[X5-UK]

The ticking/clicking problem comes from the Dosing pump (for your Webasto unit) which is positioned approximately under the rear seat on the left side under the car. BMW know of this effect and have offered their own solution to prevent the ticking. The solution is to lengthen the fuel hose for the Webasto unit. Any dealership can request the technical fix guide from Webasto or BMW Munich via PUMA request (internal escalation route). Also search for my previous posts on this.

[Boverboot]

Great feedback... I just got a 3.0d and have noticed this on the last few cold mornings...! thanks for taking the time and effort to have posted this...!

[Tony Smith]

Is the dosing pump easy to find or do i have to remoev any covers.