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Thread: Groaning noise on cold start

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
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    31,073
    My Cars
    2004 330 vert 2004 X5

    Groaning noise on cold start

    2004 330. When I do a cold start I've started hearing a groaning noise. It's coming from the area around the brake booster. It's definitely not the SAP. It almost sounds like an HVAC door/flap that is struggling to open or close. I've tried starting the car with the hood open a couple times but so far I can't get it to reproduce the noise with the hood open. It's still intermittent. Any ideas?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    Try turning the ignition to run but without starting the engine. This supplies power to everything in the car. Does the noise occur?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Peoria, AZ
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
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    31,073
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    2004 330 vert 2004 X5
    Thanks. I actually have a spare disa unit. I'll swap it in and report back.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
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    31,073
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    2004 330 vert 2004 X5
    Replacing the DISA had no effect. Still groans and it's doing it while I drive. Seems to happen most when I let off the gas. Performance isn't affected nothing strange going on just that noise.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    431
    My Cars
    2001 330i and 2005 330i
    Shot in the dark: Check your belts and pulleys.
    Johnny Murray

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    California
    Posts
    497
    My Cars
    325e 535i M5 325iT 330i
    Somebody commented that an oil separator packing it in had a "Chewbaca-kind of sound". Sounds like my wife's sport wagon, which is drinking oil like nobody's business. Fortunately, I have a cold-weather oil separator sitting on shelf. Unfortunately, it's a bugger of a job to replace it without taking out the intake manifold.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
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    31,073
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    2004 330 vert 2004 X5
    I replaced the oil separator and all those tubes about 2000 miles ago but I did not buy an OEM version. I have definitely considered this as the cause.

    Yes it's a bear to access it but I might bite the bullet and swap in a new one.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    While it's groaning at idle pull the dipstick or loosen the oil cap slightly does the noise change

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Norwich, Connecticut.
    Posts
    486
    My Cars
    E46 wag. E36 convertible
    Both belt driven...an AC unit...and separate Alternator-Power steering-water pump...serpentine belt system...include (idler pulley wheels and belt tensioners......When these mechanical items become worn...they emit similar in your observation.

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