BMW E60 Rough Idle During Cold Start Up.
 

Hi guys,

Newby here, and what a wonderful forum with lots of information.

My Situation:

My car is 2007 530i with 93000 miles. This is what happens during start ups everyone morning:
As soon as the car is started, the engine rev counter starts to move up and down with erratic shakes coming from the engine. It lasts for upto 10 seconds or so and then it settles to normal smooth idling. This does not occur during warm start ups what so ever and does not leave any check engine light. The car is smooth other wise. THE WORST PART IS NOT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.
I tried to switch off the AC before start up but it does not help. This problem started to occur around 60000 miles but now its more consistent.

Whats done so far:
1. Replaced all ignition coils
2. Replaced all spark plugs
3. Changed engine oil and oil filter
4. Changed air filter
5. Coolant flush

But nothing seems to work. The engine also went through a head gasket replacement at 85000 miles along with various other gasket and seal replacement around the engine expect for the piston rings and such. The engine currently has zero leak with no loss of oil.

The video link of the problem:
Increase the volume to really here the engine behaviour.

I am no lost as to what to do next.
Has anyone had a similar problem and got it fixed? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm worried it might damage the engine in the long run.

Thanks in advance

This can be a number of things. The first thing that needs to be done is to check the car for codes. BMWs has log messages for everything. Even though the MIL did not Illuminate something was logged during the test cycle and that will point you in the right direction. The best program to use is INPA. Install it on your laptop and buy an OBDII usb cable that is INPA compatible. INPA can be found on the internet just google it and someone has it out there for download. You don't want to keep throwing parts at it and you don't know what is is

My independent shop scanned for codes but found nothing. I am completely lost.

What did he scan with? If the MIL is not lit you will not get anything. You have to check for messages which will not show up on a basic scanner

Have you checked your injectors?

Do a search on here, there is a thread describing this exact problem.

Try this..
 

Try changing the Vanos Solenoids.. Easy diy.. Just search how yo do it.. Try not to drop the screw that holds them in otherwise you'll be in trouble.. These solenoids go bad every so often ??every 70-80K and this is more likely if you do late oil changed.. I hope this helps..

Take a look at the disa valve

Rough idle
 

I have 120,000 and going through the exact same issues. Have you solved it yet?

I replaced the dish valve and that was not the problem when i had a similar sound to yours it was after a long trip that the noise like that came up, I replaced my belt tensioner assembly,idler pulley and belt sound went away...This is what happened in my case

I had this problem on my 2006 330i N52 engine.
First time it happened the fuel injectors were leaking over night, causing too
much fuel in the cylinders at cold start up in the morning. The car would run rough
until the excess fuel was burned. Changing the injectors fixed it.

It reoccurred later when I had an ignition coil get lazy. Cold starts would be jerky and then smooth
out after the engine ran for a bit. I replaced all 6 coils, and she was smooth as silk until I sold her.

My current 2010 535i n54 is in the shop right now for the same issue. They have yet to resolve it. I'll write back here
and tell you what fixed it once they complete the repair.

My moms 2008 535i has the same cold start idle roughness...
In my experience, these N54 and N52 cars are REALLY sensitive to the condition
of the fuel/spark/ignition systems. All it takes is one plug, injector or coil to roughen the idle.