Weird Noise on Start-Ups

[AquilaBMW]

My X has been doing okay for the most part. It has started a niggling thing though.

When I start it up, there is a weird metallic shrieking noise which happens just after the car fires up. It last about a second or two and then it's gone. Can't figure out what it is yet - wonder if anyone else has experienced this?

Could it be a stuck starter or something similar?

[Zulu95]

Secondary Air System?

[TiAgX5]

What year/engine/mileage?

[X5SND]

You can get some pretty funky sounds from the belts & idlers that are on their way south. Like you mentioned, it will initially only last about a second after the X fires, but as they wear will become progressively worse. Not sure if I would call it "metallic" sounding though...

Can you take a quick video and post it?

Please put your model in your sig as well.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

Secondary Air System?

I checked... doesn't seem like it is that, and that would usually run for longer than a second or two and would usually be at cold start up.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

What year/engine/mileage?

2003 / 4.4L / M62TU / 126K Miles

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by X5SND

You can get some pretty funky sounds from the belts & idlers that are on their way south. Like you mentioned, it will initially only last about a second after the X fires, but as they wear will become progressively worse. Not sure if I would call it "metallic" sounding though...

Can you take a quick video and post it?

Please put your model in your sig as well.

That is actually a pretty darn good guess. It almost sounds like when the belts or idlers and such are going bad, but this only last a moment at start up.

Any way to check the idlers, pulleys and tensioners on the M62TU in the X5?

Maybe a brief high pitched screech is a more apt description

[X5SND]

You can visually inspect the belt (look for any cracks or abnormal wear) to determine where it's at, but the idlers and pulleys can be done one of a couple ways....I'd recommend just pulling the belts and giving each piece a spin. If you hear any growling, clicking, or feel any play/roughness I'd highly recommend changing the piece out.

You can also cheat and use a mechanics stethoscope if you have one handy. It'll save you the hassle of having to pull the belts as you can listen while the vehicle is running....but I advise against this method for obvious safety reasons.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by X5SND

You can visually inspect the belt (look for any cracks or abnormal wear) to determine where it's at, but the idlers and pulleys can be done one of a couple ways....I'd recommend just pulling the belts and giving each piece a spin. If you hear any growling, clicking, or feel any play/roughness I'd highly recommend changing the piece out.

You can also cheat and use a mechanics stethoscope if you have one handy. It'll save you the hassle of having to pull the belts as you can listen while the vehicle is running....but I advise against this method for obvious safety reasons.

I have a Stethoscope, I might try that way. The X5 engine bay is not the easiest to access though and the engine sits lower inside the bay meaning you have to really lean in. I hope I can hear the noise while the car is running. As I said, it only sounds at start up at the moment.

I will check the belt for play as best as I can. I can also try pulling pushing slightly on the pulleys to check for play.

Hope I can find it.

[TiAgX5]

When the timing chain guides start failing it's usually heard on start ups. Be sure to scope those areas.