Lifters replaced on 3.0si and now the engine intermittently stumbles on cold starts

Tae · #1 03-30-2011, 04:01 PM

Hey gang,

I haven't posted in a while so I wanted to first start off by saying HI and to thank the Xoutpost community for all the great info/insight you all share on the boards with everyone.

Now on to the issue at hand, I have an '08 X5 3.0si (which I purchased new and took delivery in Oct '07) that had the lifters replaced a few months back to address an intermittent "metalic" ticking noise that was occuring on start ups. The noise would eventually subside after the car warmed up but when I mentioned this behavior to my BMW SA during a routine serive, he quickly followed up and said he was aware of the issue (said it was related to the lifters) and scheduled me to bring it in. I did also search to find numerous posts related to other folks experiencing similar issues and having the same service performed.

After the work had been completed, I went to pick up my vehicle and upon starting up the car, noticed the engine stumbling, and as a result the whole car shaking hard, which seemed to have lasted for a few seconds. I immediately shut the car off to have the SA observe and he brought out the head technician/engineer to also have a look.

They both agreed that the behavior was not normal but couldn't provide an immediate answer for why it was happening. Left the car again to have it looked at and they said everything (computers, timing, etc...) all seemed right but the engine still continued to stumble a bit on start ups. They advised that I try and see if this behavior would "smooth" itself out after some normal use/load since it may just require some break in or adjustment period.

Sure enough, things seemed to smooth out for the most part over time but a slight hesitation at cold start ups started to resurface again. I'm going to schedule to have it brought back in to see if any adjustments are needed but I wanted to check with the rest of the community (that had the lifter replacement service to his/her 3.0si model) to see if they've had similar experiences.

Other than this nuance, the rest of the car has been holding up well (just issues with some trim pieces but all addressed under warranty). I guess I wouldn't be as concerned if this were a leased vehicle but since I actually purchased the X5, it's got me a little nervous. I'll keep you all posted as things move along.

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autoque · #2 03-31-2011, 02:44 AM

Does the rpm needle move at all?

Tae · #3 03-31-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoque

Does the rpm needle move at all?

When hesitating/stumbling at cold start ups - yes.

I'm very curious to know what anyone else who had his/her 3.0si e70 engine valve lifters or head work performed for diagnosed metallic clicking sounds is experiencing post servicing - are your cars running smooth with no probs?

Thanks in advance!

autoque · #4 04-01-2011, 03:45 AM

The '08 3.0 got the tappets replaced and when it didn't fix the ticking noise it's got the cylinder head replaced. After this it's been having the rough start problem since then. For a few seconds after the start up, the car rocks along with the engine and the rpm needle moves fast even while stationary.

It has the symptoms of cylinder misfire. And it probably is. But the dealer claims it can't find a fault code stored. Let us know how it goes.

autoque · #5 04-01-2011, 03:47 AM

By the way, what kind of watch is it in your avatar?

Tae · #6 04-01-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoque

The '08 3.0 got the tappets replaced and when it didn't fix the ticking noise it's got the cylinder head replaced. After this it's been having the rough start problem since then. For a few seconds after the start up, the car rocks along with the engine and the rpm needle moves fast even while stationary.

It has the symptoms of cylinder misfire. And it probably is. But the dealer claims it can't find a fault code stored. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the insight into your experience - I figured it couldn't have just been me. I dropped the X off at the dealer last night and advised that they hang onto it for a few days if needed to try and identify or sort things out. Will keep you posted.

Tae · #7 04-01-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoque

By the way, what kind of watch is it in your avatar?

PAM 212. The avatar is so tiny that it turned into a blurry Yogi shot.

Tae · #8 04-03-2011, 11:19 AM

Just a quick update - picked the car up from the dealer yesterday. This might be coincidental with the weather having warmed up in the past few days (in NJ) but the dealer stated they did not hear or observe any of the hesitating or stumbling on cold starts in two days. They did run some tests and checked the engine bay to find a loosely fitting intake hose. As a result, the SA indicated that the technicians tightened/re-adjusted all intake housing/fittments and didn't hear anything again on cold restart.

Just to verify - I did let the car sit cold for roughly 8 hours in my driveway and restarted it - so far so good. Maybe that did the trick (crossing fingers anyway).

Tae · #9 07-05-2011, 02:08 PM

Update RE: Engine (tapping) noise returning - I hadn't driven or started the car in a couple of weeks and when I recently went to start the X5 up, the engine tapping noise appears to have returned (similar to the noise experienced before having lifters replaced). The cold start also caused the engine to stumble a bit and rock the car but it seemed to smooth out after a few seconds, while the tapping noise seemed to go away after the car warmed up - but that process took a few minutes. Since there is no physical dipstick there seems to be no other way but to trust the IDrive oil level reporting oil level being good - so theoretically low oil levels shouldn't be the culprit (oil change was done approximately 3-4k miles ago).

This happened again on a cold start the very next day as well so I'm curious to see if anyone else with the 3.0si model has experienced this or how he/she may have had it fixed. Planning to take the car in for service if it happens again.

Wish me luck.

rh71 · #10 07-07-2011, 07:56 AM

I had heard the tapping on my 3.0si when idling next to a wall at the drive-thru (so I could hear it pretty well). It's not very evident otherwise. And it only happened once or twice back in the winter/spring. Not happening in the warm months so far. Had never brought it in for the issue.

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