Unusual noise new X3 M40i

Hydro_flow@hotmail.com · 05-26-2020, 07:37 PM

Hi everyone. First time poster.

Have just bought a new X3 m40i (2020). Great car.

I just noticed that when the AC is on it makes a subtle gurgling / bubbling sound. Sort of like a very soft aquarium.

First noticed it when I was setting up my android phone in the garage. I have attached a clip of the sound.

When the AC button is off the sound disappears. Not related to the heater. Both heater and AC work normally.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it normal?

freshxdough · 05-26-2020, 09:29 PM

I have heard this in other BMWs before. Sounds like a slight gurgle that cycles every few seconds coming from behind the dash. I think it has to do with the coolant in the heater core even though i feel it's AC related.

GrabacrOne · 05-28-2020, 12:48 AM

I have this same sound on my F10 535i. Didn't have this issue on my G01 though. I've also heard it's like water sloshing around in the heater core. I've tried running heater on low with A/C button on while varying RPM but this didn't seem to solve it. Any ideas on how to get rid of it?

Hydro_flow@hotmail.com · 05-30-2020, 02:39 AM

Thank you for the replys! Yeah I'm sure it only occurs when the AC is "on". Immediately stops when AC button is off. Going to see if my friends m40i is the same. Will be taking it to bmw in a couple of weeks

Hydro_flow@hotmail.com · 06-01-2020, 07:01 PM

So i checked out my friends m40i form 2018. Sounds the same. Presume it's a normal spund.

pock3trock3t · 03-24-2023, 03:20 PM

I have the same noise (water trickle sound) on my G01 30i. Only comes on with aircon. So this is normal?

The research I’ve done says the ac drainage pipe (for water condensation to escape) might be blocked and need to unclog before it causes issues!

Jen4BMW · 06-04-2023, 12:04 PM

None of my X3’s gurgle but if your AC is working great maybe just mention the sound when your in to get a rattle fixed

HDBMW · 06-14-2023, 12:29 AM

Have the same issue

njw1967 · 06-15-2023, 09:34 AM

This is the Gas boiling off its quite normal home AC does it sometimes

lfdal54 · 06-15-2023, 10:39 AM

For people getting the noise, take a look under your car while the AC is running. Typically there will be water draining from somewhere, which is the condensate draining off. You can also reach up high on the front carpets and see if you feel any dampness. If there's water, and the carpets are dry, more than likely you're fine.

Blackbeemer · 06-16-2023, 09:25 AM

Completely normal. Nothing to worry about.

05-26-2020, 09:29 PM	#2
freshxdough BMW Elite Master Tech \| HV Gen 5 \| HV Specialist 3509 Rep 4,206 Posts Drives: 2024 iX 50 \| 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	I have heard this in other BMWs before. Sounds like a slight gurgle that cycles every few seconds coming from behind the dash. I think it has to do with the coolant in the heater core even though i feel it's AC related.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2020, 12:48 AM	#3
GrabacrOne Second Lieutenant 178 Rep 274 Posts Drives: F10 535i Join Date: May 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	I have this same sound on my F10 535i. Didn't have this issue on my G01 though. I've also heard it's like water sloshing around in the heater core. I've tried running heater on low with A/C button on while varying RPM but this didn't seem to solve it. Any ideas on how to get rid of it? __________________ Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #578262 as a referral. F10 535i M-Sport \| Gone but not forgotten: G01 X3 xDrive30i M-Sport; F15 X5 xDrive35i; E70 X5 4.8i
	Appreciate 1 BlackBMW888290.50 Quote

05-30-2020, 02:39 AM	#4
Hydro_flow@hotmail.com New Member 6 Rep 5 Posts Drives: Bmw x3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the replys! Yeah I'm sure it only occurs when the AC is "on". Immediately stops when AC button is off. Going to see if my friends m40i is the same. Will be taking it to bmw in a couple of weeks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-01-2020, 07:01 PM	#5
Hydro_flow@hotmail.com New Member 6 Rep 5 Posts Drives: Bmw x3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	So i checked out my friends m40i form 2018. Sounds the same. Presume it's a normal spund.
	Appreciate 2 maxd_out7.50 wwws13.50 Quote

03-24-2023, 03:20 PM	#6
pock3trock3t New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: BMW 118i E87, X3 30iX Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 [0.00]	I have the same noise (water trickle sound) on my G01 30i. Only comes on with aircon. So this is normal? The research I’ve done says the ac drainage pipe (for water condensation to escape) might be blocked and need to unclog before it causes issues!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2023, 12:04 PM	#7
Jen4BMW Captain 773 Rep 615 Posts Drives: BMW 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	None of my X3’s gurgle but if your AC is working great maybe just mention the sound when your in to get a rattle fixed __________________ 2022 X3 M40i 2019 X3 30i M Sport 2013 X3 35i M Sport
	Appreciate 1 wwws13.50 Quote

06-14-2023, 12:29 AM	#8
HDBMW Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: X4 Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Have the same issue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-15-2023, 09:34 AM	#9
njw1967 Captain 620 Rep 719 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	This is the Gas boiling off its quite normal home AC does it sometimes
	Appreciate 1 lfdal541033.00 Quote

06-15-2023, 10:39 AM	#10
lfdal54 Major 1033 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: G01 2023 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (0)	For people getting the noise, take a look under your car while the AC is running. Typically there will be water draining from somewhere, which is the condensate draining off. You can also reach up high on the front carpets and see if you feel any dampness. If there's water, and the carpets are dry, more than likely you're fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2023, 09:25 AM	#11
Blackbeemer New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i (G01) Join Date: May 2023 Location: New York/New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Completely normal. Nothing to worry about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote