[MattUK]

The in the last few weeks, when driving I have a little crunching / rustling sound coming from inside the dash, and I can't for the life of me work out what it is, or where exactly it is coming from.

When stopped it doesn't do it, even when driving lightly I hear it, its not the air systems, since if I turn that off / close all the vents, I still heat it.. seems to be coming from the bottom of the windscreen, but I have no idea.. and I know that if I show a dealer this they are not likely going to be able to do much without ripping out the dash, which would probably cost and end up with a worse rattle.

Just wondered if anyone else has come across this, or has any idea?

Cheers

[DJ Daddy-O]

Does is change slightly when you go over a speed bump ie as the body flexes? Does it sound as though it is coming from the bottom of the windscreen?

I had something similar and there is a fix if it is the same thing.

It's pretty hard to explain without pics but I will take some in the next few days if it sounds the same thing.

[MattUK]

Not that I have noticed.. I got the impression it was more when I was turning the steering wheel, but I will listen out for it in case it does change over bumps, thanks for the reply.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by DJ Daddy-O

Does is change slightly when you go over a speed bump ie as the body flexes? Does it sound as though it is coming from the bottom of the windscreen?

I had something similar and there is a fix if it is the same thing.

It's pretty hard to explain without pics but I will take some in the next few days if it sounds the same thing.

I have this......pls let me know the fix!

[MattUK]

Listened like an idiot yesterday and it does seem to make the noise more over bumps / uneven road yes..

[DJ Daddy-O]

I will try explain but I won't get chance to do pictures for a few days.

Under the bonnet, you will see a rubber seal running the width if the car in front of the windscreen wipers. This is slotted onto a plastic cover, which itself is screwed into another plastic cover (one screw at either end).

It is the contact between these two pieces of plastic that makes the noise.

If you slide off the rubber seal and unscrew the first piece of plastic you will see two arms protruding - it is these arms that made the noise on mine.

Before you take it all apart you can just push the pieces of plastic to make them move slightly and you should hear the noise.

Good luck.

[MattUK]

Thanks, ill take a look.

How did you stop the noise from occuring? just tightening it up? or applying some magic fix

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by MattUK

Thanks, ill take a look.

How did you stop the noise from occuring? just tightening it up? or applying some magic fix

I'd like to know as well. I've been driving my A4 almost exclusively to avoid dealing with a seemingly unfixable clunk from the front in my X3. If this is in fact the culprit, I will be ecstatic. Not a single service tech can help me out here. My A4 is a dream though--it's a whole two years older than my X3 and seems to be better built, it is quieter, and has exhibited less wear. I wish I could have the 35i in the A4...

[gareth3685]

I think I have this noise too, its not clunk more of a rustle.

[Want the thrill]

I have this noise as well and it happens often, but not all the time. Drives me nuts. It's such a strange noise I can never figure out where it is coming from other than the fact that it sounds like it is near the windshield.

[gareth3685]

So it seems like the cause of the sound is known, does anybody know what you need to do to stop it?

[MattUK]

Took the rubber strip off, but couldnt see any point in removing the bars, as it just seems to be a void down there..

[JensM]

Mine 2011 X3 do the same....driving me nuts+
Sound like coming below the windshield.
Please post some pic to show how to fix

Thanks
Jens

[DJ Daddy-O]

Guys. Sorry it is taking a while to get some pics I am completely bombed with work. I will try get this sorted in the next few days.

In the meantime take comfort that there is a fix !!!!

[gareth3685]

Bump.

Would like to know solution to this rustling.

[3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by DJ Daddy-O

I will try explain but I won't get chance to do pictures for a few days.

Under the bonnet, you will see a rubber seal running the width if the car in front of the windscreen wipers. This is slotted onto a plastic cover, which itself is screwed into another plastic cover (one screw at either end).

It is the contact between these two pieces of plastic that makes the noise.

If you slide off the rubber seal and unscrew the first piece of plastic you will see two arms protruding - it is these arms that made the noise on mine.

Before you take it all apart you can just push the pieces of plastic to make them move slightly and you should hear the noise.

Good luck.

Did you put felt on these two arms? I think I have this noise, but it is so subtle that it is hard to tell sometimes.

Thanks for offering to put up some pics -- it looks like there are few of us interested in this fix!

[Jurisprudent]

Add me to the list of those waiting... Just started doing this a few days ago.

[gareth3685]

I've booked mine in to get this looked at (along with a creaky seat). Hoping I can resolve it myself beforehand as the last thing I want is the dealership taking the dash out as I'm sure that would leave me with more rattles than I have now!

I joke that I never have to wash our Mini as its so regulary in the dealership (mostly for curing rattles), I hope the X3 isn't going to follow in its footsteps.

[Jurisprudent]

Please report back what you find out

[bimmerz]

Bump.

[bafdonnelly]

After reading this forum I fixed the problem within 10 minutes after realising it came from under the bonnet and not behind the dashboard.

Open the bonnet and find the rubber seal close to the hinges that goes right across the car. This rubber seal unclips easily,(take note where it clips to for when you replace it ). then prise the plastic cover open slightly (you do not need to remove it) and you can see a square peg with a step on it, under the panel, the panel rests on this. There are two. one on either side of the car. All I did was to use a bit of 2 x 2" x !/2" foam and covered the step and pushed the cover back down and replaced the rubber seal. The seal just clips back on. Took 10 minutes and the car drives quietly, free at last from that irritating noise. Its been driving me mad and spoiling the pleasure of driving this great BMW.

Thanks guys for pointing me in the right direction.

[philtrick123]

Originally Posted by bafdonnelly

After reading this forum I fixed the problem within 10 minutes after realising it came from under the bonnet and not behind the dashboard.

Open the bonnet and find the rubber seal close to the hinges that goes right across the car. This rubber seal unclips easily,(take note where it clips to for when you replace it ). then prise the plastic cover open slightly (you do not need to remove it) and you can see a square peg with a step on it, under the panel, the panel rests on this. There are two. one on either side of the car. All I did was to use a bit of 2 x 2" x !/2" foam and covered the step and pushed the cover back down and replaced the rubber seal. The seal just clips back on. Took 10 minutes and the car drives quietly, free at last from that irritating noise. Its been driving me mad and spoiling the pleasure of driving this great BMW.

Thanks guys for pointing me in the right direction.

bafdonnelly- Any chance of posting some pictures of your 'mod'