Cold start noise 01' X5 3.0i opinions!
 

Guys,

Take a look at this clip and listen carefully a bit into it and tell me what you think it can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM3Z1txcqBg

It is from a 2000 328i , but I have the exact same sound in my X5.

It happen only on cold start and last for a couple of seconds (2-3seconds), and when we shift from P to D or P to R same sound and that's it. Further into the clip. Only after the car has been resting for several hours. After that it's gone until next morning.

This is not the typical belt/tensioner problem. Not the vanos rattle, not likely to be the alternator. It is not the secondary air pump because in Europe we do not have pumps on our cars. It is maybe related to the not OEM transmission filter starving the torque converter, but why then only during cold start after resting for hours. I also have a non OEM filter after a ATF fluid change some weeks ago,

Anyone with experience around this strange sound.

Should be a filter.
I had that problem a while ago and it was gone once a Filtran filter was fitted in,although happening in the same moment,your noise is a bit different from one I had.
Is your ATF at the correct level too?
That sounds like a dry friction,once fluid warms up its level raises and everything operates smoother.

ATF level is correct, I have checked it myselves. I am going to fit a oem filter tomorrow and maybe it stops. Keep you posted.
Thanks for the quick respons!

Yea my 2002 does a similar sound. and when its cold it beeps and says on cluster 34.7 degrees F.

Well, found it.

I lowered the pan this weekend and what did I found. The BMW repairshop did a poor job and forgot to pull out the old gaskets and installed the new filter with three gaskets instead of the two. The result is that the filter did not engage properly and got in conflict with the Pan(see picture). I have asked for my money back with parts.

I hear the same noise in my 02 x5 44.6is. So i guess I need a new filter right?

Hi, the noise I had came after BMW replaced my filter and forgot to pull out one of the old gaskets, that resulted in three gasket instead of two and the filter rubbing against the pan during startup.If you experience noise without having done anything I guess you have another issue. You have a ZF box unlike the GM box i have. ZF is a much thougher. I would preform a oilchange w/filter first, the "lifetime oil" stuff BMW claim is not always correct. I change my oil ever 60K kilometres. I have a 325ix with auto and 300K kilometres on the meter, same box.

I'll try filter and oil change this weekend as the noise im hearing sounds exactly like the one in the video and only on a cold start up and only for a few seconds. Very disturbing noise I might add. How does one check the ATF oil in an x5?

Part 1: Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid & Filter On A BMW/MINI - YouTube

This is a e39 series but it is the same story, please use original fluid for you tranny. I usually buy the 20 liter can and flush once spending about 10 liters per change. I recommend original filter aswell. Good luck!

I used the X all day today and never heard the noise again. I'm wondering if I should just do a drain and fill instead of a whole oil pan drop or just play it safe and go the whole nine yards? Hmmmm