Odd Engine Noise at Startup

shendrick · 10-29-2010, 03:24 PM

If people hven't experienced this, I'll post a video in a couple a days. The issue is that my 2008 M3 with 18K miles is not currently a daily driver. When I was driving it daily, the engine never made any odd sounds at startup. After sitting in a garage for a couple of days, when I start now I get a single bang about 1-2 seconds after startup. The bang comes from the engine not the exhaust and almost sounds like the valvetronic system needs to charge with oil that has perhaps drained out over the last several days. Anyone ever experinced anything like this?

LateBraking · 10-29-2010, 03:26 PM

No. My car sat for a month and then I started it up. The crank was slightly longer but otherwise was fine.

Edit: Wait. You have a 2008. Have you had your idle valve replaced yet?

JCtx · 10-29-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

I get a single bang about 1-2 seconds after startup.

If you have a 6MT, it's something in the tranny. It's been there since day 1, and apparently normal. If you hold the clutch in, it's barely audible, so I hold it until I hear the 'click', and then let it out. If not, the 'click' becomes a 'bang' indeed. Have no idea what it is, and when I posted this, nobody knew either, other than they also had it. No biggie. And yes, it's louder the colder the ambient temperature.

shendrick · 10-29-2010, 07:13 PM

I do have a 2008 6MT. The idle valve has never been replaced - but the car has never misbehaved in its performance. I also believe that I hold the clutch in the whole time this is happening, but I'm only 75% sure. Therefore, I'll document carefully at next start and see what happens. elp-jc referred to this as a click, but in my case there is way more violence involved, hence the use of the word "bang" as perhaps the best descriptor.

It weould be great to get feedback from any others that have esxperienced the same thing.

JCtx · 10-29-2010, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

elp-jc referred to this as a click, but in my case there is way more violence involved, hence the use of the word "bang" as perhaps the best descriptor.

'click' with clutch pedal in; 'bang' with it out

. As I said, I leave clutch in until I hear that sound; it takes about a second. If I quickly release clutch pedal upon start-up, then it bangs. And yes, I'd also describe it as 'violent'

. No idea what it is. Always leave the tranny in N with parking brake engaged inside my garage.

Cloud · 10-30-2010, 12:49 AM

my car makes a metallic clink sometimes during startup

shendrick · 10-30-2010, 04:14 PM

elp_jr, I also leave car in neutral with e-brake on in the garage. I'm going to video next start and ask BMW to tell me what is going on. I'm also going to keep the clutch to the floor so that the tranny is completely disengaged and can be counted out as a source of the issue. I also don't want to call this a problem yet, but it sure seems like this isn't going to help with the engine's longevity.

JCtx · 10-31-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

I also don't want to call this a problem yet, but it sure seems like this isn't going to help with the engine's longevity.

I wouldn't worry about the engine; it's the tranny or clutch if anything. By the way, last time I started the car NOTHING happened

. No click and no bang. Curious about your findings

.

mrad01 · 10-31-2010, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

If people hven't experienced this, I'll post a video in a couple a days. The issue is that my 2008 M3 with 18K miles is not currently a daily driver. When I was driving it daily, the engine never made any odd sounds at startup. After sitting in a garage for a couple of days, when I start now I get a single bang about 1-2 seconds after startup. The bang comes from the engine not the exhaust and almost sounds like the valvetronic system needs to charge with oil that has perhaps drained out over the last several days. Anyone ever experinced anything like this?

Probably your vanos check valve.

Check Valve Definition for VANOS:
"The check valve maintains an oil supply in the VANOS transmission and oil circuits after the
engine is turned off. This prevents the possibility of piston movement (noise) within the
VANOS transmission system on the next engine start."

Can be a rattle or clunk at startup:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412843

Buckman · 10-31-2010, 07:18 AM

My 6MT makes a single slight clunky bang if off a cold start. Bang is perhaps too strong a word, but there is something engaging/disengaging, for sure.

shendrick · 10-31-2010, 10:09 AM

mrad01, this is very close to what I have. Since I haven't started the car since Wednesday, I'll video today and see what happens.

aussiem3 · 10-31-2010, 04:52 PM

I've had a 6MT since Nov '07, and never experienced any of those mentioned in this thread. I had the transmission replaced under warranty a couple of months ago, but that was due to a different issue.

Very interesting, the "click" and the "bang". Any sound clips?

track_warrior · 10-31-2010, 05:06 PM

Does yours sound like it has an exhaust leak as well?

Aussie7 · 10-31-2010, 06:45 PM

I have the same experience. On a cold start with the car in neutral I get a clunk noise after a few seconds. It sounds like it comes from the engine, not the transmission. It doesn't happen everyday, maybe 2-3 times a week and my car is a daily driver. I had the car serviced last week and told my SA about it but of course they didn't hear the sound. My car is a 2008, has had the valve positioning sensor replaced but I don't think this is the same as the idle valve.

mrad01 · 11-01-2010, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shendrick

mrad01, this is very close to what I have. Since I haven't started the car since Wednesday, I'll video today and see what happens.

If you can capture it on video and post it up on youtube, link it in here.

I've recorded my car doing it 4 times in the last 10 days - and have made mp3 files. I have sent these to my dealer and asked them to forward to Germany to get a plan on what to do about it.

Be keen to hear how yours sounds.

Titanium Silver · 06-04-2012, 01:11 PM

I know this is an old post, but I have this same noise when the car sits for over 1-2 days without being driven.

Did anyone identify the issue causing this noise?

Stronie · 07-14-2012, 07:01 PM

Same here, I'll post a video. There are none in this thread.

chief · 07-14-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrad01

Probably your vanos check valve.

Check Valve Definition for VANOS:
"The check valve maintains an oil supply in the VANOS transmission and oil circuits after the
engine is turned off. This prevents the possibility of piston movement (noise) within the
VANOS transmission system on the next engine start."

Can be a rattle or clunk at startup:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412843

I too get this upon cold start. Sounds like a 2x4 piece of wood is being dropped on the concert floor of the garage. I haven't noticed any other issues or actions (of the car) connected with the sound.

Stronie · 07-15-2012, 02:43 PM

brisance · 07-15-2012, 08:45 PM

If it makes anyone feel any better I heard that on my wife's car too. Car's an E92 M-DCT made in October 2011. Just cleared 1200 miles and the car's currently at the dealer for servicing.

Race_Doc11 · 07-15-2012, 08:54 PM

same here as if there is not enough oil??? only in the morning and not after that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

my car makes a metallic clink sometimes during startup

BobbieShen · 07-15-2012, 08:59 PM

The crank was slightly longer but otherwise was fine.

10-29-2010, 03:24 PM	#1
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Odd Engine Noise at Startup If people hven't experienced this, I'll post a video in a couple a days. The issue is that my 2008 M3 with 18K miles is not currently a daily driver. When I was driving it daily, the engine never made any odd sounds at startup. After sitting in a garage for a couple of days, when I start now I get a single bang about 1-2 seconds after startup. The bang comes from the engine not the exhaust and almost sounds like the valvetronic system needs to charge with oil that has perhaps drained out over the last several days. Anyone ever experinced anything like this?
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10-29-2010, 03:26 PM	#2
LateBraking Brigadier General 327 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	No. My car sat for a month and then I started it up. The crank was slightly longer but otherwise was fine. Edit: Wait. You have a 2008. Have you had your idle valve replaced yet?
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10-29-2010, 07:13 PM	#4
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	I do have a 2008 6MT. The idle valve has never been replaced - but the car has never misbehaved in its performance. I also believe that I hold the clutch in the whole time this is happening, but I'm only 75% sure. Therefore, I'll document carefully at next start and see what happens. elp-jc referred to this as a click, but in my case there is way more violence involved, hence the use of the word "bang" as perhaps the best descriptor. It weould be great to get feedback from any others that have esxperienced the same thing.
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10-30-2010, 12:49 AM	#6
Cloud Lieutenant 62 Rep 484 Posts Drives: AW 2009 E92 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rowland Heights iTrader: (0)	my car makes a metallic clink sometimes during startup
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10-30-2010, 04:14 PM	#7
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	elp_jr, I also leave car in neutral with e-brake on in the garage. I'm going to video next start and ask BMW to tell me what is going on. I'm also going to keep the clutch to the floor so that the tranny is completely disengaged and can be counted out as a source of the issue. I also don't want to call this a problem yet, but it sure seems like this isn't going to help with the engine's longevity.
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10-31-2010, 07:18 AM	#10
Buckman Private First Class 29 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '22 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	My 6MT makes a single slight clunky bang if off a cold start. Bang is perhaps too strong a word, but there is something engaging/disengaging, for sure.
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10-31-2010, 10:09 AM	#11
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	mrad01, this is very close to what I have. Since I haven't started the car since Wednesday, I'll video today and see what happens.
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10-31-2010, 04:52 PM	#12
aussiem3 Colonel 274 Rep 2,665 Posts Drives: Goggomobil Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kangaroo land iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW X6/// F86 [0.00]	I've had a 6MT since Nov '07, and never experienced any of those mentioned in this thread. I had the transmission replaced under warranty a couple of months ago, but that was due to a different issue. Very interesting, the "click" and the "bang". Any sound clips? __________________ F86 X6///
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10-31-2010, 05:06 PM	#13
track_warrior Captain 99 Rep 728 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Merida, Yucatan iTrader: (1)	Does yours sound like it has an exhaust leak as well? __________________ Compensating a heavy car with horsepower is like giving an alcoholic cocaine to sober him up...
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10-31-2010, 06:45 PM	#14
Aussie7 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 SSII Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	I have the same experience. On a cold start with the car in neutral I get a clunk noise after a few seconds. It sounds like it comes from the engine, not the transmission. It doesn't happen everyday, maybe 2-3 times a week and my car is a daily driver. I had the car serviced last week and told my SA about it but of course they didn't hear the sound. My car is a 2008, has had the valve positioning sensor replaced but I don't think this is the same as the idle valve.
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06-04-2012, 01:11 PM	#16
Titanium Silver Four Star General 13 Rep 597 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I know this is an old post, but I have this same noise when the car sits for over 1-2 days without being driven. Did anyone identify the issue causing this noise? __________________ E92 M3 \| Jet Black \| All OEM Everything E30 M3 \| Alpine White \| Mostly OEM
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07-14-2012, 07:01 PM	#17
Stronie Major 314 Rep 1,453 Posts Drives: 2017 F80M3 Comp. 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Instagram: @Atlantis_S55 iTrader: (0)	Same here, I'll post a video. There are none in this thread.
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07-15-2012, 02:43 PM	#19
Stronie Major 314 Rep 1,453 Posts Drives: 2017 F80M3 Comp. 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Instagram: @Atlantis_S55 iTrader: (0)	<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aRUnYVulXWA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Here's mine. Interested to know what it could be? Any additional info. Video was taken after car sat for 7 days. 1st start.
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07-15-2012, 08:45 PM	#20
brisance Private 6 Rep 74 Posts Drives: MY2011 AW FR E92 M3 M-DCT ZCP Join Date: May 2012 Location: Asia iTrader: (0)	If it makes anyone feel any better I heard that on my wife's car too. Car's an E92 M-DCT made in October 2011. Just cleared 1200 miles and the car's currently at the dealer for servicing.
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07-15-2012, 08:59 PM	#22
BobbieShen Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: to iTrader: (0)	The crank was slightly longer but otherwise was fine. __________________
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