[quest556]

My 2007 is in for the same repair right now. They have me in a 08 335xi loaner and I'm on my third week of waiting..... Yeah, I've been enjoying the loaner but still, love to have mine back.

If they did not have me in a comparable car, I'd be hot but at least your post gives me hope that it will be returned to me good as new.

BTW, Ironically, my 08 loaner with 15k miles is ticking just as bad as mine was at 48k.

Originally Posted by Rekla

Dropped car of at dealer 4/16. They worked on the cylinder head till 4/21. Then they started trouble shooting the steering wheel lock mechanism since it rattled on occasion. They replaced the upper steering column. Car back 4/27. I had a brand new 528i as a loaner, put 650 miles on it and I enjoyed that ride. Here is the partslist:

(1) 11-12-7-591-617 N52 Cylinder head with valve
(1) 11-12-9-391-547 Set of Alu. screws F Cylinder
(1) 11-12-7-548-799 Bolt cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-392-547 set of alu. screws
(3) 11-12-7-521-167 ASS-Stud Bolt
(2) 11-36-7-524-954 Collar Screw
(1) 11-12-7-555-757 Cylinder head gasket
(1) 11-12-7-548-921 Gasket set cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-409-288 set of alu. screws
(2) 13-62-7-530-413 Torx screw
(2) 11-12-7-529-997 Torx Screw
(6) 33-32-6-768-354 Hex screw with collar
(1) 11-42-7-566-327 Set oil-filter Elem
(7) 07-51-0-017-954 Motor oil SW30
(1) 82-14-1-467-704 Antifreeze
(1) 22-11-0-392-551 Set of Alu. screws

Engine purrrrrrrssssss just fine now. No more ticking of the valves noticeable even when the hood is open. Not enough miles yet for a durability/reliability report / gas mileage observation. My SA told me I was his 6th Head replacement, there are about 5 SA at the dealership so they did close to 30 so far. He told me if this was done outside warranty it would probably run between $6,250 - $7,000. Ouch! Glad I got it done although time will tell if messing with the engine and tearing it apart has effect on the reliability. I've got 17 months left on my original 4 year warranty.

[PoweredByRICE]

Originally Posted by quest556

My 2007 is in for the same repair right now. They have me in a 08 335xi loaner and I'm on my third week of waiting..... Yeah, I've been enjoying the loaner but still, love to have mine back.

If they did not have me in a comparable car, I'd be hot but at least your post gives me hope that it will be returned to me good as new.

BTW, Ironically, my 08 loaner with 15k miles is ticking just as bad as mine was at 48k.

My car is in right now too. I'm assuming it's going to be the same parts list as everyone else (they already bled my engine which led to this). My 335xi loaner has 6k miles, the tan interior though is terrible But I can't complain..it stickered for 50k so it's pretty well stuffed. I'll update as soon as I find out more, but it looks like my parts are on order (cylinder head I'm told).

[srhutch]

Just got my 2006 Z4 2.5si (N52 Engine) back from the dealer after having the cylinder head replaced with revised one. Warrany cost £3,420

I'm in the UK and this is the first time the dealer has come across this problem, looking through this thread havent found many if any UK member with this problem.

My Z4 isnt used every day which I believe made my issue more apparent as it give more time for oil to drain from the HVA's.

Just hope it works, done 50 miles and engine seems smooth and power is as before so happy with the work carried out.

[Rekla]

FYI:
UK £ : USD $ = 1.48803 -> £3,420 = $ 5089 US.

Originally Posted by srhutch

Just got my 2006 Z4 2.5si (N52 Engine) back from the dealer after having the cylinder head replaced with revised one. Warrany cost £3,420

[5erman]

Hey guys, I am visiting you from 5er land and have been having lifter issues for some time. Thought I would share a problem I had a few days ago. I took my car in for lifter bleed and got it home. Later in the night I started the car and the engine went absolutely crazy, making sounds, shaking the whole vehicle, the tachy going from 0-2k randomly back and forth. The car was undrivable and soon a CEL light came on. Had it flatbeded obviously to the dealer.

Well I am waiting on them to inspect further but what they can tell as of friday was a broken/damaged valve spring. This is a car with 30k miles on it and lifter tick from about 15k or so.

The car drove flawlessly prior to this episode and I am not happy. He is talkin about replacing the cylinder head however I do not think this is acceptable since I cannot find another explanation but whatever the dealer did to bleed my lifters by revving it high for some time. I am getting in touch with bmwna and am requesting a new engine wiht the revised head obviously.

Question is, what other parts could be gone if a broken spring was indeed the problem. I do not see how one broken spring would cause that crazy of an engine response. It is proof that lifters in these cars will cause damage as what other cause for a spring to be gone at 30k. I drove the car hard since day 1 but who has not driven these cars hard?

Would you guys be happy with a new cylinder head or expect a new engine. I think if the dealer breaks something, they should replace and not repair it.

[shadowcoder]

Originally Posted by 5erman

Hey guys, I am visiting you from 5er land and have been having lifter issues for some time. Thought I would share a problem I had a few days ago. I took my car in for lifter bleed and got it home. Later in the night I started the car and the engine went absolutely crazy, making sounds, shaking the whole vehicle, the tachy going from 0-2k randomly back and forth. The car was undrivable and soon a CEL light came on. Had it flatbeded obviously to the dealer.

Well I am waiting on them to inspect further but what they can tell as of friday was a broken/damaged valve spring. This is a car with 30k miles on it and lifter tick from about 15k or so.

The car drove flawlessly prior to this episode and I am not happy. He is talkin about replacing the cylinder head however I do not think this is acceptable since I cannot find another explanation but whatever the dealer did to bleed my lifters by revving it high for some time. I am getting in touch with bmwna and am requesting a new engine wiht the revised head obviously.

Question is, what other parts could be gone if a broken spring was indeed the problem. I do not see how one broken spring would cause that crazy of an engine response. It is proof that lifters in these cars will cause damage as what other cause for a spring to be gone at 30k. I drove the car hard since day 1 but who has not driven these cars hard?

Would you guys be happy with a new cylinder head or expect a new engine. I think if the dealer breaks something, they should replace and not repair it.

Pray that you didn't have a broken valve spring. If you do have a broken
spring then your damage could extend to the valve, piston, cylinder head
and surrounding parts. BMW would be the only one to determine whether
a new engine is the best course of action given the damage and the cost
to repair. I imagine though (I'd like to think too) that they'll go through
this with you in detail. And yes, one broken spring can cause that kind of
an engine response.

In our cases, of the ticking noise from the lifters, we can't ask for a new
engine. Personally, in my ticking case, I would be happy with a new cylinder
head. And I am going back to my dealer tomorrow for round 2.

[dr.jay]

***Update***
Took car in the 29th, got a call the next day that they did the bleeding which didnt work so they ordered the parts for head, Car should be ready by monday, the bright spot is I got a 135 vert for a loaner, what a bad ass little rocket I may not give it back!!

[5erman]

So I got some interesting news from a service manager where I take my car in columbus. He said that they have gotten cars return like mine after doing this bleeding procedure. And he said he does not agree with doing the procedure and thinks it is damaging but has to follow bmw protocol in order to replace the head.

They hold your engine at 3500k for up to 15 minutes straight. They start with 3 min utes and replicate it 5 times. If the ticking is still there they do it for 15 minutes straight. He says that I most likely have a broken lifter due to this procedure. WTF. He is admitting to me however is making it seem like no big deal.

I am still waiting for them to take the head off and inspect the engine. I assume they got the head off today and are looking at everything. He said his master mechanic/shop foreman is working ont it so I hope it will be inspected well and they are legit. If they find a problem beyond the head I hope they would be honest.

I am in an ineresting position. My lease is actually up and was going to buy this car but now having serious serious second thoughts, obviousy. I am waiting to hear the final damage report before I decide. If it is bad the car goes back to them to deal with. I am lucky to be in this position.

Can you explain how a broken spring could cause that much damage downstreem>? Just curious thanks!

[shadowcoder]

Originally Posted by 5erman

So I got some interesting news from a service manager where I take my car in columbus. He said that they have gotten cars return like mine after doing this bleeding procedure. And he said he does not agree with doing the procedure and thinks it is damaging but has to follow bmw protocol in order to replace the head.

They hold your engine at 3500k for up to 15 minutes straight. They start with 3 min utes and replicate it 5 times. If the ticking is still there they do it for 15 minutes straight. He says that I most likely have a broken lifter due to this procedure. WTF. He is admitting to me however is making it seem like no big deal.

I am still waiting for them to take the head off and inspect the engine. I assume they got the head off today and are looking at everything. He said his master mechanic/shop foreman is working ont it so I hope it will be inspected well and they are legit. If they find a problem beyond the head I hope they would be honest.

I am in an ineresting position. My lease is actually up and was going to buy this car but now having serious serious second thoughts, obviousy. I am waiting to hear the final damage report before I decide. If it is bad the car goes back to them to deal with. I am lucky to be in this position.

Can you explain how a broken spring could cause that much damage downstreem>? Just curious thanks!

I'm no mechanic but simply a car enthusiast. I'd like to think that doing
the bleeding procedure is not putting the car in harm's way. 3500 rpms
is nothing out of the ordinary even for 3 hours straight. I've done road
trips where my rpms were above 4000 for more than 2-3 hours. The only
issue with running a car like that is cooling it. When you drive the car,
the air cools down the radiator (as well as the fan). With the bleeding
procedure I'm sure they put a big fan in front of the car that blows air.

A broken spring may allow the valve to drop in the cylinder or not be in
the right position. If that's the case, then the piston as it travels, can
encounter the valve and that's not pretty. I've seen valves that simply
break from this to pistons that have the valves wedged on them.

There is no way for them to hide it since they will repair the car under
warranty and it simply wouldn't work right if they don't repair it right.
The computer itself would catch it and throw an error anyway.

If your car is a lease, and has a damaged spring then I would think
carefully before buying it if the damage is beyond the spring/lifter.

I think you got unlucky from the bleeding procedure if the spring broke.
But keep us updated on how this goes. Best of luck.

[theblackmamba]

any vids of this ticking?

[Prodipper]

Originally Posted by ICanHasBoost

any vids of this ticking?

this would be nice and helpful to identify this issue, I might be getting this ticking noise but not really sure if i do.

[Futie]

Hi,
Here is my problem:
When I drive ot just idle at 1900-2650 rpm the engine gives a sound like rattling plastic...when I reach 2700rpm everything is gone?!
Do you know if I should change the lifters or try something else...my car is not in warranty
E90 320i EURO 4cyl 150hp

[wowzer]

Originally Posted by ICanHasBoost

any vids of this ticking?

I found this on YouTube. It is the exact noise my car made before the cylinder head replacement.

[5erman]

is the cam's replaced with this cylinder head procedure. I assume the cam's are part of the cylinder head piece no? As well as all valvles and springs are all replaced as this part of the cylinder head correct?

ANyone notice more horsepower or more kick to the engine. If this new head flows oil better than probably less friction and maybe unlock some hp. I hope so

[5erman]

anyone who had this done, is the camshaft replaced with this setup?

[PoweredByRICE]

Originally Posted by Rekla

(1) 11-12-7-591-617 N52 Cylinder head with valve
(1) 11-12-9-391-547 Set of Alu. screws F Cylinder
(1) 11-12-7-548-799 Bolt cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-392-547 set of alu. screws
(3) 11-12-7-521-167 ASS-Stud Bolt
(2) 11-36-7-524-954 Collar Screw
(1) 11-12-7-555-757 Cylinder head gasket
(1) 11-12-7-548-921 Gasket set cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-409-288 set of alu. screws
(2) 13-62-7-530-413 Torx screw
(2) 11-12-7-529-997 Torx Screw
(6) 33-32-6-768-354 Hex screw with collar
(1) 11-42-7-566-327 Set oil-filter Elem
(7) 07-51-0-017-954 Motor oil SW30
(1) 82-14-1-467-704 Antifreeze
(1) 22-11-0-392-551 Set of Alu. screws

Exactly what was replaced for me as well. I assume the cams are part of the cylinder head assembly, so I'd say yes

[ultimate]

noticed my car doing this, this morning. what do i need to tell my sa specifically. or should i tell him it's ticking.

[5erman]

So my car is back with the entirely new head and gasket done. They also changed the oil twice after the new head. Also ended up getting new rotors and pads throughout because the rotors were out of spec. Grand total with all that was 9k billed to warranty.

The service manager and their shop foreman performed and oversaw the job and then showed me my old cylinder head and what the suspected problem was. Was pretty interesting. He had 6 other heads that had been pulled.

So to confirm, yes this is the complete head with cams, valves/springs, lifters, rockers and etc. Every piece of the valve train.

Car seems to be running well and all is well now. Nice to have pretty much a new engine at 38k miles-I will take it

[Rekla]

5erman, so the pulled and replaced head looked like this?
Any idea what happens to the old heads? Will they be revised and recycled into the new ones, or is it just "scrap"?

NOTE: I copied these pics from the very first page of this threat - thanks for providing.

Originally Posted by 5erman

So my car is back with the entirely new head and gasket done. They also changed the oil twice after the new head. Also ended up getting new rotors and pads throughout because the rotors were out of spec. Grand total with all that was 9k billed to warranty.

The service manager and their shop foreman performed and oversaw the job and then showed me my old cylinder head and what the suspected problem was. Was pretty interesting. He had 6 other heads that had been pulled.

So to confirm, yes this is the complete head with cams, valves/springs, lifters, rockers and etc. Every piece of the valve train.

Car seems to be running well and all is well now. Nice to have pretty much a new engine at 38k miles-I will take it

[5erman]

Yup that is it, although does not look as glorious as those beautiful illustrations. It was quite filthy obviously I have to say I am extremely worried for all owners of n52 engines out there that within the next 5 years they will have many failing engines because of this. BMW would not design a brand new head and give this to customers under warranty because the "ticking is annoying." Lots of bmws tick quite honestly and while it does get bad in a very select few cases, I believe bmw knows darn well this lack of oil pressure in the hydralic valvle area is not good.

Of course dealers and their "official" word is going to be that it does not damage anything or else 10s of thousands of customers are goin to be in with a recall-something bmw could not handle.

My 07 530 is running stronger than ever and revvin gmore freely and running smoother than ever. It feels stronger and faster than ever and this all makes sense because lack of oil pressure to lifters and valves will limit those parts fully functioning so I am one happy camper. I would have liked to see a brand new head but was not able to.

I am pleased with the procedure. I wonder why some engines do this and some dont-That is puzzling to me. The process went flawlessly and the service manager dealt with me directly as well as his shop foreman and most experienced guy. They did the job in 2 days which is great. They put the head in with the new gasket, changed the oil and ran the car. Let it sit cold overnight and then ran the car again. Then changed the oil again. I actually picked up the car and the ticking was till there! I was in shock but they assured me it would be gone when I got home and sure enough it has been gone since. I gues a new head needs time to get fully lubricated.

BMW would not be giving us 7000 dollar pieces for no reason gusy-get those heads changed. I love these n52 engines. I have had a 335 loaner and as fun as those engines are, I would take and keep an n52 engine with my 255hp. I love the way it has all the top end power and I love revving it up to 7k and feeling the pull from 6k through 7k. I love keeping the engine revving high. On the n54 engine, there is gobs more torque throughout but at 6k it plummets and from 6 through 7 there is nothing so you have to change gears at around 6. You dont get to have as rev happy as an engine. With the n54 it has so much torque and power that you hit the gas and you are over the speed limit before you can even get the revs high and there is no power so you have to stay in the low range. WIth the n52 you can get it up high and it sounds great. I think this is a great engine.

Anyway get those heads changed!

[Shocked@BMW]

This is totally out of control! BMW should be ashamed! This is a serious problem with the engines in these cars, my 07 328XI coupe started doing this when the car was half a year old. I am in the KNOW and any sound like that is NO OIL getting to a part, my car would sit there at idle and until I drove somewhere then the noise would go away. The dealer did the bleed in its first year of ownership, had I known what the BLEED is now I would not have bothered to have it done. This BLEED process is a joke and will NOT FIX the problem. I would not describe the noise as a tick it is a TAP with a metal against metal sound. After complaining again about the noise at one of my nuisence service visits I was told "they all do it, it is normal". That was not acceptable to me on a car that cost this much, I could have bought four cars for that amount of money that I would expect a noise like this from. The next step involved bringing the car back to the dealer when the BMW service rep was present. Of course I told them it probably would not do it because it does the noise on occasion. Some times it will happen a couple of days in a row other times not for weeks, always when first started in the morning. Took the car home unsatisfied that nothing was to be done to remedy this. They had done the bleed was this not enough evidence to remedy this? I had then found this forum on the subject and told the dealer service dpartment, service told me to call the 800 number. I called and complained told them my $45,000 car sounds like it has a JUNKYARD ENGINE in it. Weeks past playing phone tag and getting nowhere, finally called to find out what would be done and was told it was an ESCALATED CASE. I thought great something will finally be done. Only to be told I would have to bring it back to the dealer. Called the dealer, they agreed to keep it until it would make the noise for them to hear. This after I told them I had this noise on video, the car was in for this several times. Yet nobody would except this until it was heard by them. The car was there for a week, NO noise. I was asked to come and get my car, came to pick it up and someone had doored my beautiful MINT car with only 6800 miles on it. Now I have a HUGE problem that BMW CREATED by not just sucking it up and fixing the problem in the first place! Of course they did everything to satisfy me including assistance in BUYING a new car. Why should I have to spend another $15,000 to replace my new car. The damage was bad enough they had to repaint the entire side of the car. I told them I would not take the car and they finally agreed to buy the car from me, still losing allot of money. When I came to the dealer get my check and pick-up some personal stuff in the car, still at the body shop. The salesman and I drove over to the body shop to get my belongings and BINGO they had it sitting there idling and guess what it was finally doing. UNBELIEVABLE! The dealer has since sold my NEW car and this will now be someone else's problem, what a shame. I feel sorry for the person who now will have to deal with this!

[Wilson01]

For some reason your dealer didn't want to request a new cylinder head on your car. This is a very well known design flaw that existed from 2006-2008- so much so that there is a protocol for the complaint according to my dealership in Nebraska. Bleed twice, then put a cylinder head on it. Problem fixed. They knew exactly what you were talking about when you walked in the front door and complained of the "tick." Why need to sit there and demonstrate it audibly- that's insulting. That when I make sure the dealership knows I chat on a BMW forum about which places suck and which ones rock. Also, that's when my attorney fires off a letter with lemon law implications.

Remember when Husker Auto Group refused to sell that bimmer off ebay auction and they looked like complete ass holes?