Rattling but still rolling!

[teammccrory]

Hi All

New to this so here goes!  I have a 2006 3.0D MSport.  Runs the best.  Pulls well.  No smoke.  But makes an awful metallic rotational rattle.  Various people have looked/listened but nobody has been able to say what's causing it.  Any ideas, at all, please?  Vacuum pump has been changed as has timing chain guides.  No joy.

Thanks in advance.  I'm sure someone will be able to help - hopefully! 

[X5Sport]

Stone caught behind a brake shield?

Oh and too 

[mikesmith2939]

Could also be the turbo, my 2.0D had a whistle no smoke and still pulled like it should.

Took the air intake pipe off the turbo the vanes were starting to break up.

[teammccrory]

Thanks for the replies - and the welcome!  Unfortunately, the noise is there on tickover and changes with engine speed i.e. as engine speed rises, the repetitive noise rises. The car is not moving so definitely not a brake issue.  Turbo is still a possibility, I suppose.  Any way of checking if there are no other symptoms?  I've been assured it's not this, though.

Thanks again
Stephen 

[X5Sport]

Can you narrow down the approximate area of the engine from where the noise is coming?

[teammccrory]

Seems to be from the front, looking from the radiator.
Thanks

[graemeX5]

Hi

I am not sure what it is but if you say it occurrs with engine running and car stationary it might be worth checking the drive belts and pulleys -NOT with engine running, for wear and play it could be water pump, alternator or AC compressor looking at real oem link below

There is also a vibration damper on the crankshaft as well which could have play/wear depending on age and mileage again if dismantling the above its probable worth checking.

Hth
Graeme

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_5184

[teammccrory]

Bad news - all this was checked, noise still there!  If I had any hair it would be torn out by now!  Any more ideas, please?

Thanks
Stephen

[gchristofi]

I think you're going to have to locate the rattle more accurately to progress. Use a car "stethoscope" or a bit of hose to the ear to try and locate the noise.

[teammccrory]

Sorted!  Broken camshaft.  Replaced - noise gone.  Thanks for your help.

[gchristofi]

And it still ran well bar the noises??!!?? 

[jagr]

Shows how good the old X3 still is