Please post your engine idle videos/sound
 

Looking to see if you guys have videos you can post of what normal idle sounds like for something at or near my mileage and specs. Specifically/ideally looking for 2004 4.4 idle sounds from the driver and passenger sides for an engine with approximately 185,000km on it. I'll get a cold start-up and warm idle video posted of mine so I have a baseline and to share with you guys. I've done a lot done to the top of the engine since I got it about a month ago, but I want to see if the noises I'm hearing are normal for the age or if I should be taking out another mortgage. The engine pulls consistently and well through all the ranges. I have to drain the tranny, do the filter/seal and reset it to hopefully get rid of the hard shift from 1-2 when going uber slow, but other than that, no issues. Other shifts are like butter, so I'm not terribly worried - yet :).

Recent fixes include:
- water pump, gaskets, some coolant hoses, expansion tank, rad and flush
- idler pulleys
- ccv's (complete with bank 1 new valve cover and cold weather ccv relocate)
- valve cover seals, gaskets, o-rings
- intake gaskets
- coolant tube repair
- valley pan and gasket
- spark plugs, tubes
- fresh oil, filter
- air and cabin filter

Ton of other stuff non-engine area related, but the above should be all that affects the general engine bay area.

Stay tuned for my videos. Post yours if you have.

Cheers.

I can post up a video, if you want to quiet the engine a bit, run a bottle of the P.i. and our 5W-40 euro oil. difference is almost immediate. Also let me know if you want the transmission fluid and filter. I am running a nice spring time sale so you can cash in on phenomenal deals!

Here is a cold start idle. Getting the phone in there real close exacerbates the sound. Let me know if it sounds normal. Oil is at top of dipstick. If you open the oil fill cap, the noise/rattling on the passenger side gets louder.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185,000km Idle - YouTube

Thanks.

thats because your releasing the pressure, can actually hydrolock the motor, so try not to remove the cap while its running if you dont have to, if you do only do so for a little while. Injectors on our 4.4s can get pretty loud with age, usually its due to build up, mine have been running decently quieter since ive started the Amsoil treatments. Nice thing is it will also bring oil consumption down if not eliminate it, since it also has Upper Cylinder Lubricant you eliminate the need for oil to have to go through. (little known fact behind oil consumption)

I saw another video of the noise when the cap was opened, so I did it for a brief 2 sec and closed it. Didn't want to do it again just for a video.

As for oil, the last shop put in the 5w40 amsoil. What is the P.i.?

its the fuel adeditive, Performance Improver, It lubrciates the upper cylinder, pump and fuel lines, and does a deep clean of your valves, injectors and the combustion chambers. Its also used as emissions passer (had a friend who had a catalytic converter issue, ran the P.i. 3 months later without any issue or engine light). Good man! Next time buy from me and save :P

I just watched the video, unfortunately im not 100% since sometimes videos can actually make things sound worse then they are but you got quite the rattle there sounds like the timing chain, could just be piston slap, injectors maybe. does the rattle go away at all? get louder as your driving or just packed? Is it just on start up? do you get a ping every so often?

Agree. Having had the timing chain guide failure and heard the resulting noise, I will never ever forget that sound. It sounds like something in the timing chain system is not right and the chain is hitting something it should not. Check your oil filter for any metal shaving - another sign of chain hitting metal that it shouldn't.

Are you within the forum rules with all these sales pitches for Amsoil?

I certainly hope not as I think it is destructive to the intention of the forum and counterproductive to your goal.

I'm ignoring the pitches. I've seen the other posts.

Here is another video of it revving up through the ranges. First up to about 2k, second a lot higher.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185000km Revs - YouTube

It really doesn't sound bad when you are standing there, but get the phone mic in there and it sounds likes it's chewing itself up. Only on the passenger side of the engine though. Would be good to hear a few other recordings from similar vintage and mileaged 4.4's. Sit in the driver seat and you wouldn't have a clue :).

Cheers.

I'm ignoring the pitches. I've seen the other posts.

Here is another video of it revving up through the ranges. First up to about 2k, second a lot higher.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185000km Revs - YouTube

It really doesn't sound bad when you are standing there, but get the phone mic in there and it sounds likes it's chewing itself up. Only on the passenger side of the engine though. Would be good to hear a few other recordings from similar vintage and mileaged 4.4's. Sit in the driver seat and you wouldn't have a clue :).

Cheers.

Again, i recommend the amsoil because yes i sell it, but you are free to use any fuel system cleaner. If not the amsoil get redline, im merely making the point that fouled injectors as well as carbon desposits can be an underlying source to noises and other issues. (Common also with emissions). You have to remember i grew up around cars and am an automotive engineering major and have worked in a lab testing synthetics and their effects. Many people fail to understand the importance of proper lubrication as well as fuel system cleaning. Especially if you have lower octane fuel with higher ethanol amounts and lack of a high quality additive package. If you dont like professional advice dont take it and move on. Irs your vehicle.

Please post some videos of your engine sounds - particularly idling and on both sides of the engine. I'd like to compare to a few that have been ridden hard and well maintained. I'm sure there are a few on this forum that fit the bill :)

Yes, again and again you pitch Amsoil. Advice is one thing, pitching Amsoil all the time is quite another. Since none of the other "sponsors" do what you are doing I'm hoping it is against forum rules. Regardless, you should consider following their lead as I think you are compromising Amsoil professionalism and your personal credibility.

Don't Amsoil salesmen have territories that you are infringing upon?

I suggest sticking to troubleshooting the noise that you are concerned about. The question is--does my engine sound normal or is there something wrong?

I can't tell from your video. Before suggesting you try making another, do you have any symptoms that might indicate you have a problem? Are you able to check for any error codes? Does it idle and accelerate normally, any smoke, using much oil, etc?

I'm not adding anything to the system now. Just put in fresh oil (4,500km on it) and will continue to cycle it at 10,000km intervals. Trying to baseline the car, that's all. It was in decent shape, but maintained on an "as needed" or "cash available" arrangement with the PO. I am doing a lot to freshen it up to a baseline and then go from there.

As for symptoms, the engine is smooth, no smoke, doesn't burn oil, idles perfect, smooth through all the rev ranges, no codes thrown since I took the tape off the check engine light (that was an awesome discovery). Aside from the hard shift on occasion from 1-2 at really low speeds, it really puts a smile on your face. I am pretty picky with my cars, so I was listening to the engine and decided to record it to see what others' do. So far, no videos posted, and I'm not losing sleep. If others share videos, I can start to figure out if I should be immediately worried, factor something in a year or so, or just ignore it and chalk it up to a typical BMW engine with 185,000km on it :)

I plan on keeping it in good working order for at least another 200,000km, so this journey is just beginning.

And at least with the sales pitches, I get free bumps on the thread……. I hope others see through the tactic, focus on the thread and let the moderators do their job. I have enough stress at work. I come here for relief in a weird, twisted, I-love-to-spend-money-senselessly-on-old-BMWs kind of way.

Cheers!

If you think BMWs are expensive you should see the cost of parts on my Audi and Gallardo, i do the work myself so i save a few bucks but enough to make a whole lotta difference. Shoot if shes running like a raped ape, leave it be.

Here is mine at cold start
Whitecat x5 4.4i 2006 - YouTube

Thanks. Any chance you could get the phone right next to the valve covers on each side? Passenger side in particular? If you stand and just listen to mine, it sounds like yours. When you get the phone mic right in there, it really picks up all the noises. Thanks.

Il do it for ya tonight, its gotten cold here again so youll hear the engine gettin pissed off hahaha. Im pissed off too cuz I JUST BROUGHT OUT THE DANG GONE SUMMER RIDES JUST TO BE SNOWED IN AGAIN!

Not sure why my videos are still in "youtube edit lala land" but they are pretty choppy still. They don't appear this way when I recorded them, so be patient I guess. I took another video this morning. Cold start, approximately 0C temp. Tried to hold phone same as whitecat. Here it is. I think mine is a little more "rattly" still.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185000km Idle 2 - YouTube

And yes, the engine bay is disgusting. It's way down the list for things to do. It'll get cleaned at some point. Likely in the summer months when it's a bit warmer. :)

What has me perplexed is beamertruck stated he "needs to increase his Amsol sales to pay his tuition", yet in the past few weeks he has stated he owns........

1) X5 4.4i

2) E60 V10 (sold)

3) E36 M3

4) Audi A6

5) Lamborgini Gallardo

6) Challanger SRT8

7) '80 Ferrari F40 (thought '87 was the first production year)

8) Merc GL

9) Ford Raptor

10) F350 6.4L twin turbo

11) Freightliner Classic (custom painted)

Seems he should be able to sell a vehicle or two to finance his studies.

I noticed this as well, seems we might to have Scooby Doo get to the bottom of this. The Gallardo comment really perplexed me, because I do recall him saying becoming an Amsoil dealer was helping get through engineering school I think?

I do use amsoil to help pay my tuition, i actually do make a decent amount just dont really talk to much bout it. I actually do alot of sales of Amsoil, usually product sells itself, most people tho dont know about it which is why i promote it quite a bit. I drive a truck, do plowing, auto repair and a few other things which is where the money for these cars and such comes from. I dont spend money unless i know i can get a return on investment which is why i didnt sponsor right away and am only paying partial to start. Also alot of vehicles i own or have owned i usually get a great deal on and then flip for profit. You guys probably think im crooked or whatever, but i pride myself on being honest with customers and making sure theyre satisfied, ive done alot of buy backs and refunds just so the customer can be happy and because of that they come back. For auto repair, i will sometimes fix things just for cost of parts just so i recieve their continued business. I appologize guys, il keep it straight from here on. Btw RB i wasnt able to order the strps, hopefully il get to it tonight.

BTW the GL is sold, the ferrari is an 88, i thought i mentioned that, both the F40 and the E36 are actually shared between me and my cousin, theyre mostly his but i put 1/3 down on the purchase and i do the repairs and maintenance. You forgot the 1970 chevelle btw, oh and the A6 is my dads, i do use it on occasion.

Thank you for clarifying. I'm well aware that you can buy less than A+ condition exotics for a song if you know how to repair and can flip for a profit, the Gallardo doesn't really faze me because if you bought it salvaged and rebuilt it you probably got it for $25k up front as an example.

Either way, way too many toys for me to fix, "aint nobody got time for that"

The gallardo rear ended someone, needed some body work, frame was good just scratched up. They never reported it so i fixed it up and its still got a clean title and runs strong! I do have a tendency to sometimes leave out important details. My fault, il also quit the sales pitching, hopefully regain some support here.

Acknowledging it is hard to include all the details, a detail that should not have been included is---my--(what ever vehicle referenced) when it is not yours or has been sold.

Good luck establishing credibility. From my perspective it is going to be a daunting task, especially when you are the only member that I have ever seen advertise a product or service in their signature.

Vagisil, the premier synthetic lubricant available in 5W-30 or 40. Obsorbs foreign materials. Available in quarts or gallons--See our Youtube test video--www.youtube\WOW

Dont think theres a rule preventing Vendors from putting their products in their signature, so dont know ehat your going on about now. Also im pretty sure this threads about LVPs request for idle videos so lets try to stay on topic there, anything off topic should be discussed in the lounge i think or in a different thread.

Yeah, they are sponsoring a cup car...........

Cool! NASCAR, Sweet! - Video Clips - South Park Studios

MOM! I'm not poor or stupid enough to watch Nascar! - Cartman

Linked the wrong one, should have been this......

Pace Lap! - Video Clips - South Park Studios

I think is different than you know there is no rule which I take to mean you didn't check before doing so. I don't know if there is a rule or not, don't think it makes a difference--even it it is promoted as something to do, doing so is going to result in complete lack of credibility when ones answer to a thread problem is their advertised product.

I am complete aware I am off topic, would you like me to start a thread and put this to a vote?

Zytrenz, the only additive for cubic inch increase. Want to increase your 3.0 to 3.5, a 4.4 to 4.6 or even a 4.8 to 5.0. Make yours a screamer. See documented results at www.photobucket\ohmy

I am. Never miss watching a race and attend at least two each year. Even sponsored a car in a past life and have been to a school---yeeehaaa, boogity boogity boogity, let's go racin' boys!

OP--if it runs fine and there are not symptoms and no error codes, the sounds are most likely normal. However most likely is not a sure thing. Since audio of all videos vary based based on the quality of the recording device, the distance from the engine, rpms,the quality of the listeners speakers etc. even what sounds the same may not be. I suggest you have a well recommended BMW specialist Indy shop check it over so the engine can be heard in person.

I suggest the hinges should be well lubricated with Vagisil so they go up and down freely. with enough arm spring that should do the job.

Vagisil, the premier synthetic lubricant available in 5W-30 or 40. Obsorbs foreign materials. Available in quarts or gallons--See our Youtube test video--www.youtube\WOW

Engine sound clips anyone? :)

Put what to a vote? I think your takin this way to personal there big guy.

bcredliner - taking it to an indy is the plan over next few weeks. My travel plans suck, so it has to be what it is for now. Maybe I've read/heard too many horror stories and I'm paranoid. Will get at least one, if not two indys to look at it. Cheers.

I was suggesting a vote as to whether or not selling, promoting or advertising a product on the forum is appropriate.

I don't take it personal. The reality is that, to no avail, I believe I have been trying to help you. I do accept I may be the only one that feels your advertising, promotion and selling compromises the integrity of the forum. It could also be you are well within the rules. If either is true, shame on me.

Please note the following exert from forum rules:

Use of Xoutpost.com resources is restricted to non-commercial accounts unless otherwise contracted with Xoutpost.com. By accepting this agreement, you agree to not use any Xoutpost.com resources for commercial means without contracting with Xoutpost.com.

Vagasil synthetic motor oil--get your motor running--only the best for your X, Vagasil.

The advertising free is to me, a real important factor and the essence of this site succcess and popularity...

Your not the only one who feels that way.

I read this forum almost everyday and lately it seems that 20% of my reading is a commercial. For lack of better terms...... Lame.

I believe this behavior is unacceptable and a mod putting an end to this disruption, I'm sure, would be well accepted.

Cautious is good paranoid is crippling. X5 is like any other machine. If you take care of it, notice when it sounds different or isn't running as it should and address the issue early you will be fine. I find plenty of things to be paranoid about. My X5 is my tranquilizer.

I would dare say the essence of the success of this forum is that it is a place where X5 enthusiasts around the world can share their experiences, learn and contribute.

I doubt any advertising is intended to be free and it shouldn't be. This site has expenses and free advertising foreshadows the end.

I pay to advertise my friends, hence the green logo and that little thing that says "vendor" only payed $35 for the 1st month but may be doing $75+ depending. So i fell im doing more then my parts to support the forum and im in now way using it as "free" advertising.

^ i hate these dang phones with the tiny buttons, not to mention auto correct >.<

I meant, Zero advertising ...sorry french translation sometime...

I vote for a refund of his vendor fee membership so he can stop the AMWAY

Oh no not my vendorstatus, anything but that!

Its Amsoil, say it with me, Amsoil, ok lets go through that one more time bud, AMSOIL.

Zero advertising? So whos gonna pay that site fees? You? Lol

Ok, OP at least you have my engine recording that i've made just for you this morning...hope this help...

Thanks whitecat. I'll get a couple of shops to assess in the coming weeks. This thread went a bit sideways…..

Yeah, i know, i was expecting to hear more "engine recording" comparaison than debating on advertising...

Ih shoot il post the vid of my X tmrw

I hope you will find that you paid to be an authorized vendor and any advertising, promotion and pitches are limited to the vendor forum. That's how I interpret the vendor forum rules. Please let me be right!

Per the forum rules I posted, forums such as this one are not to be used for commercial purposes. Again I hope beyond hope I got that right! If not I owe you a very reluctant apology filled with disappointment that I do not.

Damn I hope you are right. I too am fed up with this amsoil bs will fix anything advice. So annoying. Just wanted to let u know you are not by yourself.

You mad?

Guys, can you start a new thread? This has spiraled a bit sideways and distracted from my intent with the original post. Thanks.

Seriously, OP wants videos, lets keep it related to the idle ans videos

Here's mine. Engine still pretty cold. This was after about a 1 mile drive. (home from the train station after work tonight)

http://youtu.be/wuk6nyCvRQQ




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why doesn't everyone just go to their user control panel and add him to your ignore list?

It sure makes viewing the forum more enjoyable.

http://www.xoutpost.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist

garrett - thanks! Sounds closer to mine. What are your thoughts on chain tensioners? How long do they typically last? Any way to test those or assess the guide quality?

It does sound a bit clattery in that video doesn't it? I don't think it sounds like that once it gets warmed-up. It's a nice tickey-tickety whirring sound. Seriously - I drove it about a mile, so the engine was still pretty cold.

The mic could be mis-representing it a bit too.

As far as the tensioners go - I wouldn't know what kind of life to expect out of them.



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The phone makes it sound so much worse :). I've listened to a lot of the videos I can find of the failed guides and they are really, really loud. I'm not there yet. Here is a good video of what it all looks like and what you can do to see if there may be an issue. Requires dropping the oil pan for a close inspection for debris. Seeing as I'm new to the car and I doubt the pan has ever been pulled, next oil change will get a pan drop. I'll get an indy to give it a look as they see more of these than I did in my two month search to find one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkih...uSZI9XYIBNYdPw

txyaloo - neat feature.

That is kinda cool actually

I apologize if my posts concerning advertising irritate you. The problem is that there is no thread that is a good thread to get the issue addressed and it should be.

I think other videos will only confuse the issue further so I will stick to the videos you have posted. In the cold start video the left bank (the first bank) sounds normal to me. The right bank does not. By how sharp the noise becomes it sounds like it is coming from the middle of the right bank. Since I don't know what the temperature was or what oil you are using etc. I can't be sure it really is a problem and the second video with the engine up to operating temperature sounds normal.

I troubleshoot rather than speculate the core cause of an issue. My first check would be to see if/and how long it takes for the sound to go away from an idling cold start, no reving. The longer it takes the more likely a problem. In addition I would use an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the loudest point to further narrow the cause possibilities. If you don't have one you can use a length of hose, anything with a hole through it, even a piece of metal that will carry the sound from the point of contact on the engine to your ear. Since sound travels so easily, once you have found where it seems the loudest and most crisp, move to all areas adjacent to that point to be sure you are at the right spot.

I think it would be very beneficial if you did another video. Start from a cold start--have someone else record the video so we can hear it just as it starts. Then record what it sounds like when the oil is at operating temperature. In both recordings do both sides of the of the engine and get close to the valve covers to eliminate as much wind noise as possible going front to back, back to front. Go very slow. In the cold start video it don't sound like you need to spend much time on the left bank since the noise seems far more prominent on the right.

Will be my project for the weekend. Having a shop look at it on Monday. I also have one of those inspection cameras, so I'll see what that yields looking in through the oil fill on that side.

Here is another pass at just the noisy passenger side from a cold start. Lighting sucks, but it's the sound we're after here. I came in and down by the filler, ran along the cover to the rear, back to the front and up. Repeated a second time and stopped part way into the third pass. I don't believe it goes away, but I'll see what it sounds like after it's good and warmed up (another video later tonight).

Temp is about 2C, car was off for several hours (so maybe not stone cold), oil is Amsoil 5W40 EFM. Note the noise at the rear sounds like an exhaust leak (well that's what I've come to know that sound as) and the front is more clattering. Definitely different front to rear.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185000km Idle 3 - YouTube

Video is fresh, so youtube may have to edit or do things to it. I'll keep posting progress and findings.

Cheers.

If you have a video camera like a go pro or something itll be better. I still gotta get that video taken, hurt my leg so havnt been drivin it. Stupid stairs.

Here it is after warm-up. Note the clatter from the front chain area is hard to hear. Seems much quieter and almost gone. I'll do a test tomorrow from cold start in the morning to see how long it take to quiet down.

BMW X5 2004 4.4 185000km Idle 4 - YouTube

I can hear the clatter when it started but seems to get quieter as it runs. I hear the exhaust leak sound that you mentioned. If it the problem is timing guides it is something to correct ASAP so I would have a BMW specialist look at it VERY soon.

Mine sometimes does that every once in a while, except for me its a combination of the broken engine cover (its loose so it clatters) and some misc plastic pieces. Have you had it inspected yet?

Going in Monday for an assessment. I'll keep you all posted.

good luck!!!

Shop looked at it and said it was fine (he has seen enough of these to know). He gave me some engine cleaner to use right before next oil change. I'll keep an eye on the noises to make sure they stay the same and don't get worse. I'll also drop the oil pan at next oil change to see if any plastic or metal in the bottom of the pan.

Good plan.