Help with the valve train (lifter) tick/noise

Kbimmer · 03-27-2012, 10:48 PM

As seem here: http://www.rtsauto.com/bmw-e90-valve...ter-ticknoise/

So, I believe my car has the infamous lifter clicking noise when the engine is cold (which actually happens 4 months out of the years for me since I live up north, lol).

I've read lots of threads and I could not get a position if that is a issue that should be fixed or not, and if so, how soon.

My car has 100k right now, the noise just appears when the engine is cold and since that is a very expensive issue to repair, I wanted to know if anyone had a personal experience with this.

How long can I postpone it ?
Are there long term damages if I don't fix it ?
What is the worse it can happen

?

I just don't want to dump a lot of money to fix something that can be just a "normal" noise.

Here the vid from my car in the morning:

gunnerxq · 03-27-2012, 11:13 PM

It's normal

Bmachine18 · 03-28-2012, 11:21 AM

I have a 2009 328i and Live in Miami so it's never cold but still my car makes the lifter noise on a cold start nothing to worry about it's normal my car only gas 30k miles and it does it Occasionly

Bmachine18 · 03-28-2012, 11:23 AM

If you allow your car 2-3 minutes to start up everytime you start your car you will eventually hear less and less of the lifters during a cold start

Wrngway · 03-28-2012, 01:05 PM

When I was at the dealership buying my car, I heard a 1 series N52 with the issue. I remember it was pretty hot outside as I hitched a ride with my brother whose car didn't have air conditioning at the time.

The ticking was pretty pronounced. I had only read about the issue, but I'm sure that was it.

On a previous car I had a tick that would change frequency in relation to the engine speed. Stupid Chevy tech wanted to tear down the engine as it sounded mechanical. It turned out that it was an exhaust leak at the manifold gasket. Don't rule out other possibilities.

Kbimmer · 03-28-2012, 02:52 PM

Thanks so much for the feedback guys

I'm a bit less worried now.

Wrngway, you right, I still want to check a few things to make sure I don't have some "other issue" that I don't know about.

MDeez · 03-29-2012, 10:42 AM

When's the last time you changed your oil? That might have something to do with it. Since you are in Toronto you might want to talk to Rocco @ RMP. He's got a lot of experience working on the N52 motors

Chuta · 04-23-2012, 05:36 PM

The ticking sound is horrible. I only heard it when my windows were down at drive throughs. I first heard it in my 07 328i, took it to the dealer and they fixed it. I've also heard the tick in my 528i and now I'm hearing it again in my 328xi. Must have something to do with the "28" engines. While its annoying, I don't really worry about it anymoe, the car seems to drive just fine with or without the ticking.

AddictedToBavarian · 04-23-2012, 07:22 PM

I've had my car for 1 year and only put 3,000 miles on it (company car/ busy guy) lol. I've heard it VERY pronounced twice and mildly a couple times. My lifters were changed with the previous owner.

I even went as far as taking it to the dealership and getting it ready to replace the cylinder head, but I backed out. It barely ever happens and it isn't affecting my car, I didn't want to replace the top half of my engine over it. I have 2 yrs left of CPO maybe I'll decide to do it if it becomes very consistent.

Summary- wouldn't worry.

Volasko · 04-23-2012, 10:59 PM

I have the same problem!
See:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673829

Yours sounds familiar to mine. I still have some CPO left so I am going to try and get the dealer do some work.

AlanAZ · 04-25-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

If you allow your car 2-3 minutes to [warm] up every time you [cold] start your car

+1

I'd also suggest using a 0w oil for better cold start lubrication, Castrol (GC) 0w30 which is approved for our engines.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles

03-27-2012, 10:48 PM	#1
Kbimmer First Lieutenant 19 Rep 306 Posts Drives: 335i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brampton iTrader: (3)	Help with the valve train (lifter) tick/noise As seem here: http://www.rtsauto.com/bmw-e90-valve...ter-ticknoise/ So, I believe my car has the infamous lifter clicking noise when the engine is cold (which actually happens 4 months out of the years for me since I live up north, lol). I've read lots of threads and I could not get a position if that is a issue that should be fixed or not, and if so, how soon. My car has 100k right now, the noise just appears when the engine is cold and since that is a very expensive issue to repair, I wanted to know if anyone had a personal experience with this. How long can I postpone it ? Are there long term damages if I don't fix it ? What is the worse it can happen ? I just don't want to dump a lot of money to fix something that can be just a "normal" noise. Here the vid from my car in the morning: __________________ '11 335i Sapphire Black on Chestnut Brown + Premium \| Cold Weather \| M-Sport '06 325i Black on Terracota + Sports \| Premium \| Cold Weather - SOLD '99 323i Silver on Black + Sports \| Cold Weather - SOLD '97 328i Black on Black - SOLD
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03-27-2012, 11:13 PM	#2
gunnerxq Lieutenant Colonel 222 Rep 1,808 Posts Drives: 2015 335i xDrive 6MT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	It's normal __________________ Former E90 325i: Koni special active red, eibach pro-kit springs, Remus exhaust, stage 3 intake manifold,Stage 2 AA tune, BMW Short shift kit. Silicon intake pipe. M3 control arms front, M3 rear. ECS trailing arm with whiteline bushings. Purple powerflex subframe bushings. Yellow power flex upper shock mounts. Single mass flywheel OE weight.
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03-28-2012, 11:21 AM	#3
Bmachine18 Private 14 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2009 328i sedan Monaco blue Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sunny isles beach iTrader: (0)	I have a 2009 328i and Live in Miami so it's never cold but still my car makes the lifter noise on a cold start nothing to worry about it's normal my car only gas 30k miles and it does it Occasionly
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03-28-2012, 11:23 AM	#4
Bmachine18 Private 14 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2009 328i sedan Monaco blue Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sunny isles beach iTrader: (0)	If you allow your car 2-3 minutes to start up everytime you start your car you will eventually hear less and less of the lifters during a cold start
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03-28-2012, 01:05 PM	#5
Wrngway First Lieutenant 33 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan A6 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: D.C. Metro iTrader: (1)	When I was at the dealership buying my car, I heard a 1 series N52 with the issue. I remember it was pretty hot outside as I hitched a ride with my brother whose car didn't have air conditioning at the time. The ticking was pretty pronounced. I had only read about the issue, but I'm sure that was it. On a previous car I had a tick that would change frequency in relation to the engine speed. Stupid Chevy tech wanted to tear down the engine as it sounded mechanical. It turned out that it was an exhaust leak at the manifold gasket. Don't rule out other possibilities.
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03-28-2012, 02:52 PM	#6
Kbimmer First Lieutenant 19 Rep 306 Posts Drives: 335i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brampton iTrader: (3)	Thanks so much for the feedback guys I'm a bit less worried now. Wrngway, you right, I still want to check a few things to make sure I don't have some "other issue" that I don't know about. __________________ '11 335i Sapphire Black on Chestnut Brown + Premium \| Cold Weather \| M-Sport '06 325i Black on Terracota + Sports \| Premium \| Cold Weather - SOLD '99 323i Silver on Black + Sports \| Cold Weather - SOLD '97 328i Black on Black - SOLD
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03-29-2012, 10:42 AM	#7
MDeez New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	When's the last time you changed your oil? That might have something to do with it. Since you are in Toronto you might want to talk to Rocco @ RMP. He's got a lot of experience working on the N52 motors
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04-23-2012, 05:36 PM	#8
Chuta Private 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Too many 3's Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00]	The ticking sound is horrible. I only heard it when my windows were down at drive throughs. I first heard it in my 07 328i, took it to the dealer and they fixed it. I've also heard the tick in my 528i and now I'm hearing it again in my 328xi. Must have something to do with the "28" engines. While its annoying, I don't really worry about it anymoe, the car seems to drive just fine with or without the ticking.
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04-23-2012, 07:22 PM	#9
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 98 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	I've had my car for 1 year and only put 3,000 miles on it (company car/ busy guy) lol. I've heard it VERY pronounced twice and mildly a couple times. My lifters were changed with the previous owner. I even went as far as taking it to the dealership and getting it ready to replace the cylinder head, but I backed out. It barely ever happens and it isn't affecting my car, I didn't want to replace the top half of my engine over it. I have 2 yrs left of CPO maybe I'll decide to do it if it becomes very consistent. Summary- wouldn't worry.
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04-23-2012, 10:59 PM	#10
Volasko Colonel 726 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	I have the same problem! See:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673829 Yours sounds familiar to mine. I still have some CPO left so I am going to try and get the dealer do some work.
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