04 4.4i X5 Cold Start Idle Questions......
 

Got a quick question...At a cold start first time start from sitting Ive noticed when I have it idling the idle is a bit rough. Cant really explain it. Ill give it some gas and hold it for a few seconds and its back to normal. Does anyone else encounter this?

Mine used to do that. Has since stopped. Runs pretty regular now in the morning. Even in freezin temps. (Knock on Wood)...:dunno::D

Is the idle fluctuating? Or does the cabin feel like it's vibrating?

If it's the latter I'd guess motor mounts are gone. If it's the former I'd look for vacuum leaks. Read it with a good scanner and see if there are any codes.

if its only on very cold times (which I doubt being in Cali), then it could be the dreaded Intermediate Lifter's issue in the engine. in that case, just deal with it. it sucks and will throw a C.E.L. but you can drive with no adverse affects to vehicle wear thank god.
OR hopefully its just the famous CCV valves (crankcase vent) not being clean (ie they are full of mayo like substance from oil and condensation build-up).
Could also be a dirty fuel filter...
how many miles on it?

put your year and X5 version in your signature.

Did you do anything different to it? Or did it just stop out of the blue?

Its more of a rough idle no vibration or fluctuating like if its a vacuum hose or anything. Its like the car is idling to low if that makes sense. No codes

The X is new to me so I bought it during winter so I don't know during summer temps but as you stated I doubt its temp related. What type of symptoms would there be if it was the Intermediate Lifters? No check engine light and the X runs just fine after it warms up or if I step on the gas for a bit. All hoses, CCV's and everything were all checked and replaced or cleaned during the valve seal replacement. Filter is on my to do list anyways to have it replaced so will see what happens.

2004 4.4i X5
202K on Odometer

on start up vehicle shakes from the engine idle being rough. it usually throws a CEL after idling rough for about 15 seconds and then it stays on till you drive a few days with no more idle issue at start up OR till you get it scanned/removed.
If you did the CCVs, good
The temps are not getting near 32-0° F then you're not dealing with an Intermediate lifters issue, Most likely, tho it has poked its head up in Texas before... but you are not getting a CEL which is uslally a hand in hand relationship with the Intermediate Lifters.
I'd suggest you buy the Torque App for a phone and grab a bluetooth ELM scanner from Amazon for about $10 and run the faults code on it (assuming you do not already posess a fault code reader).

Just pulled it out of the garage as I'm needing to take my dog to the vet and this time around it was fine? I didn't have it idling for long though maybe a minute or two. Last time when it was idling rough my girl was in the car and I ran into the house and when I came back she said it was running weird so I gassed it a bit and it was fine but never got the check engine light. So I don't think its the intermediate lifters? As you stated I don't have all the symthoms. I do have a scanner but there's nothing to scan.

Charge your battery overnight on a trickle charger. I do that every few months because I drive short distances. I noticed when the battery is completely full it does idle smoother. I'm talking just a bit smoother like you are describing.

It does sound like the EGR/CCV valve starting to go on the back of the intake manifold, the rubber diaphragm tears and causes a vacuum leak and rough idle.