35d Engine Vibration at Idle?

[IndyRon]

Just curious if anyone else is/has noticed an increased engine vibration at idle in their 35d? I now have 9000 miles on it and for the first 5-6k miles, I couldn't tell the engine was running at a stoplight. Now, when I come to a stop, I can feel a slight vibration through the steering wheel and hear a bit of vibration sound coming from the front of the vehicle (engine compartment/dash area). The vehicle runs perfectly with no hiccups, has good power, and otherwise has been perfectly reliable. It seems (or maybe it is just me) that the engine isn't as silky smooth as it was when brand new. Anyone else noticed anything like this? Any documented problems with a vibration being transmitted through engine/transmission mounts or possibly and exhaust heat shield under the car? I had it in to the dealer about 500 miles ago for this, tried to explain it as best I could, and received the car back a day or two later and they stated did not find anything mechanical wrong (didn't state exactly what they did), and that their was no engine fault codes. Just curious as to others opinion. I've recently switched to Shell from Marathon diesel to see if this improves it and I haven't noticed much difference. The vibration is most noticeable when the engine is warm and idling low with the car in gear at a stop. Thanks for the input and suggestions in advance. I otherwise love this vehicle.

[jdbretz]

Not sure this will be all that helpful, but when you notice the vibration with the vehicle stopped and in gear, drop it into Neutral and see if the vibrations goes away. I don't have a diesel, but I have experienced vibration similar to what you are describing in several vehicles I have driven in the past. I don't know what the fix is for that but if it goes away being in Neutral, but at least you could take it to the dealer when you are having the problem, and have the tech come for a ride then. That would prevent the classic "unable to replicate the issue" excuse they give for everything. Hope you get it all sorted out.

[GoVols!]

Funny you mention this. I'm at 20k but in the last week or so the plastic piece across the middle of the moonroof has started rattling when at idle. It also seems like I can feel the vibration through the seat and wheel more than previously too. I chalked it up to the cold weather but maybe it is something else.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by IndyRon

Just curious if anyone else is/has noticed an increased engine vibration at idle in their 35d? I now have 9000 miles on it and for the first 5-6k miles, I couldn't tell the engine was running at a stoplight. Now, when I come to a stop, I can feel a slight vibration through the steering wheel and hear a bit of vibration sound coming from the front of the vehicle (engine compartment/dash area). The vehicle runs perfectly with no hiccups, has good power, and otherwise has been perfectly reliable. It seems (or maybe it is just me) that the engine isn't as silky smooth as it was when brand new. Anyone else noticed anything like this? Any documented problems with a vibration being transmitted through engine/transmission mounts or possibly and exhaust heat shield under the car? I had it in to the dealer about 500 miles ago for this, tried to explain it as best I could, and received the car back a day or two later and they stated did not find anything mechanical wrong (didn't state exactly what they did), and that their was no engine fault codes. Just curious as to others opinion. I've recently switched to Shell from Marathon diesel to see if this improves it and I haven't noticed much difference. The vibration is most noticeable when the engine is warm and idling low with the car in gear at a stop. Thanks for the input and suggestions in advance. I otherwise love this vehicle.

Take it to the dealer and have them check your motor mounts. The motor mount system in the d's are controled via a vaccum solenoid which is controlled by the car's "computer" (aka: DDE).

There is a soft and hard setting. At idle it should be set to soft. However, if for example there is no vaccum then the default setting is hard which may account for the increased vibration.

This is just one suggestion but it's worth a look.

[IndyRon]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll definitely look into the motor mount issue. I was unaware that the engine mounts had this dynamic function. That would definitely explain the problem if the mounts weren't switching to the soft mode. Is the function of the mounts detectable with a OBD computer plug in module? I also was initially suspicious that maybe the cold weather around here was partly or mostly to blame but it doesn't seem to matter much between 6 degF and 35 degF (the range around here the past 3-4 months).

[IndyRon]

UPDATE:
I just went out with my Bavarian Technic scanner cable that allows me to pull DTC's from the ECU via the OBD to USB connection with my laptop.

Jim, you may be on to something. Under the Engine category, the DDE showed 1 fault code: 4BC3 and one shadow fault code: 4669. This is a week after my dealer said they can't reproduce and there are no fault codes......right......

Anyone have any idea what these codes are for?

[IndyRon]

UPDATE:
I stopped by the dealership, showed them the DTC's on the Bavarian Technic scanner I have hooked to my laptop and explained the vibration and the fact that the X5d has motor mounts that may adjust firmness via a solenoid. He took some notes, went around the block with me in the car and will be calling in the next day to schedule an appointment. We will see how this pans out.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by IndyRon

UPDATE:
I stopped by the dealership, showed them the DTC's on the Bavarian Technic scanner I have hooked to my laptop and explained the vibration and the fact that the X5d has motor mounts that may adjust firmness via a solenoid. He took some notes, went around the block with me in the car and will be calling in the next day to schedule an appointment. We will see how this pans out.

That's amazing, but it pisses me off that we have to do all this work to get the dealers to admit a problem! I had to fight for months with my dealer, and bring pages and pages of forum responses to prove I needed a new Engine Oil Pump in my 2010 750i. Now....there is a bulletin about it.

Keep us posted about the vibration!

[GoVols!]

Well,

It warmed up at the end of the week here and the moonroof rattle went away. The thick plastic piece between the two halves of the roof feels tighter today. It doesnt move when touched like it did when the temp was below 0F. Vehicle seems to be idling smoother too. Gremlins, gremlins.