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I have a 2001 540i steptronic with 80k miles. When starting the car after it has sat for a while, usually over 4 hours, it makes a lot of noise for the first 1-2 seconds them quites and smooths out. I believe the term is ''dry start''. The oil has been changed about 3 weeks ago with Mobil 1 and Mann filter. This problem first surfaced about 4 months ago. Thanks

Submitted: 494 days and 19 hours ago.
Category: BMW
Value: $20
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Optional Information:
2001 BMW 540i v8

Already Tried:
I have run a engine flush through it on the last oil change and put 1 quart of Rislone in. This is the second oil change with this recipe at about 5k apart.

Posted by RButcher 494 days and 18 hours ago.

Answer

Hello XXXXXXXX,
I hate to tell you but you have the wrong fluid in the trans, this is not helping you at all, only hurting you. Also the fluid level was probably not filled properly as well. The level needs to checked when the trans is cold and the engine running for your info. Try this first and let me know what you find.

494 days and 18 hours ago.

Reply

Sorry you don't understand. The porblem is with the engine noise not the transmission. Are you sure this answer was ment for my question?

494 days and 17 hours ago.

Reply

Can you answer my question or can another expert try? Please answer.
thanks

Posted by RButcher 494 days and 16 hours ago.

Info Request

sorry when you mentioned steptronic I thought you meant in the transmission.What grade of oil did you put in engine?

494 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic, before that I used castrol. Thought I would try a different oil. The noise started after the last castrol change.

Posted by RButcher 494 days and 16 hours ago.

Info Request

Have you been the only owner of this vehicle? For maintenance knowledge.

494 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

2nd owner, It was a BMW program car for the first 11 months. I will have to sign off as I got get some sleep. I have a 4 am wake up tomorrow. Will look for your reply tomorrow.

Thanks

Posted by RButcher 494 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

After your car has sat the 4 hours open the oil filter housing and check to verify that it is full of oil if not, you may need a new housing. This clatter at start up is not a huge issue, somewhat normal. But check the housing and get back to me, we will go from there.

494 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to RButcher's Post: I'll give it a try and get back to you.

thanks

493 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

I checked the oil level in the filter housing tonight after it sat for 4.5 hours. It was about 1/4 - 1/3 full. This car does not burn or leak oil from the houseing or anywhere else to my knowledge. Why do you suspect the houseing? Is there a part in that houseing that regulates the flow in and out of the housing?

Posted by RButcher 492 days and 17 hours ago.

Answer

Yes there are check valves in the housing to keep the filter housing full of oil so that the engine doesn't have to fill the housing first reducing the time that the engine gets oil pressure. How does the O-ring on the filter housing cap look? What is this rislone stuff anyway, if it has any hard partilces like PTFE or graphite this may plug the check valves or worse start causing your valve lifter to bled down and cause engine clatter on first start up. This may also be your problem and the only way to verify this is to remove the valve covers and check the valve lifter themselves. This is not a huge issue for the 1-2 seconds that you mention just loud and annoying. If it gets louder or longer then it is time to do something for sure. These engines are very well built and farely long last so oil additives really aren't necassary, especially when using high quality synthetic oils like Castrol(bmw's oil) or Mobil1.

Posted by RButcher 492 days and 17 hours ago.

Info Request

Just to clarify, I just needed to know if there was oil at the lip of the filter cap when first removed.

489 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to RButcher's Post: There is no oil at the filter lip. Resilone is a oil additive that cleans your engine. You can find more info on the web. I heard a lot about this product, it has been on the market for many years.

Posted by RButcher 489 days and 18 hours ago.

Answer

If there is not any oil at the lip of the housing when it is first opened the filter housing is draining out. More than likely one of your oil line check valves are stuck open the housing is loosing its prime and the engine is running with out oil for a second. I would stay away from the oil additives as most of these products were developed for domestic engines with much looser tolerances than your engine, and the good quality oils such as the ones you are using this rislone stuff is really uncalled for and may even be detriment to your seals. As for the fix I would install a new oil filter housing along with new mounts.

489 days and 18 hours ago.

Reply

Just so I understand you. Are you saying when I open the filter housing, the oil should be to the top of the canister? Seems when I opened it there was maybe 1/4 full of oil. Is replacing the housing a difficult job requiring any special tools or should I leave it to my mechanic?

Answer

Yes, you will not need to take the filter all the way out. Just enough pull the filter up some and see some oil right at the top. Full the filter housing cap w/filter up about an inch and push back down if oil comes rushing out of the housing it is fine, if is not and is as you say 1/4 full then I would recommend the housing. This is an easy job, You will need a set of channel locks, 8mm socket deep and ratchet and either a 10mm or 13mm socket as well. If you get a new housing make sure you get the o-rings for the oil lines to the housing, also recommend new filter housing mounts as they usually break. This job depending on your experience level about 1/2 an hour to a hour and some clean up time. Lay plenty of rags down when you opent those oil lines at the bottom.

Expert: RButcher
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
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Answered: 7/21/2008

BMW Technician

BMW Factory Master Mechanic, 609 A/C Certification

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