Is this a normal diesel idle? Or bottom end knock - VIDEO

[SMOKEY]

Thanks for the lead, Steamyrotter - I thought it might be something in that vicinity, but it could just be that inspection port is an echo chamber for what's going on in the engine......

AVI-8  - noise is present from about 20 seconds after startup, and then remains constant cold or warm.

I have dropped it at a reputable BMW specialist this morning, they're going to investigate. From the short chat we had and the fact that it is throwing a glowplug #3 fault, they're leaning towards something injector related....but they'll do the full diagnostics and go from there......

[SMOKEY]

An update.

Shop did a balance test on the engine and found #6 cylinder out of spec.

Did a backflow test on the injectors and found 5 injectors were returning flow within spec but #6 way out. So #6 injector is shot.

Manifold came off and shop removed injectors and glow plugs for inspection. Found that #6 injector flange was broken, and injector was not sealing against the cylinder allowing compression to leak out.

Also needs CCV, Air filter, Fuel filter, EGR clean, glow plugs and glow plug controller replaced.....total of $3k. Some of this stuff I can do myself and had already purchased the parts pre-emptively - but the faulty injector is the bulk cost of the ordeal.

So my first week of X5 ownership has not done a lot to quiet the Break My Wallet stereotype! :-/

Assuming that the sound heard at the transmission area was just the piston slap echoing down through that chamber in the car - and being the rear most cylinder explained why it was better heard underneath than from the front of the car with the hood up.

Will keep you all posted.

[Riggie]

Bad enough, but could be worse. Are you contacting the selling dealer and seeking some sort of contribution from them?

[SMOKEY]

Certainly have asked the question. Outcome remains to be seen.

[Horizon]

Sorry to hear of your woes with the X5. Sounds like someone has offloaded the car to save them having to pay out for some very expensive repairs. I suppose you won't be able to get a service exchange injector either if it's cracked.
Hope you get a result from the dealer you purchased it from, even if it just covers the parts.