[MrSweet1991]

Hi All,

what pulley is the one rattling? it doesn't show on realoem from what I can see and how do the other pulleys look?

It appears to be the power steering pulley, a little search resulted in a few people with the same issues. Same saying a new pump has the same noise while a lot of others said the 3 bolts for the pulley needed replacing. I think I'll remove the bolts and pulley and have a better look at what's going on but of anyone else has looked I to this it would be good if you could chime in.

[criscarp]

The only one I can see in your video that made a noise is the AC compressor. That's pretty normal

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by criscarp

The only one I can see in your video that made a noise is the AC compressor. That's pretty normal

You're right! it's strange though, on a youtube video a chap said when he replaced the AC compressor there was no noise?

[criscarp]

Were you experiencing noise when your engine was running? The AC compressor pulley can be replaced but you will not get one from BMW and you would have to remove the AC compressor to do it. That play is normal though.

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by criscarp

Were you experiencing noise when your engine was running? The AC compressor pulley can be replaced but you will not get one from BMW and you would have to remove the AC compressor to do it. That play is normal though.

The only noise I've had really are the ones in this video, it's extremely hard to filter out the different noises though as the hydraulic lifter tapping is loud and there's also a dull knock below.. it's much easier to hear it in person but this is the best I have, I've found earphones help a lot to hear the knocking noise

[criscarp]

I can not hear any noise from your pulleys on the front of the engine, with regard the AC compressor. I am not a mechanic and I have a 320d, the only noise I think I can hear is by the side of the car at the early part of the video, sounds like possibly your DMF, I am probably wrong. Does the noise change when you depress the clutch?

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by criscarp

I can not hear any noise from your pulleys on the front of the engine, with regard the AC compressor. I am not a mechanic and I have a 320d, the only noise I think I can hear is by the side of the car at the early part of the video, sounds like possibly your DMF, I am probably wrong. Does the noise change when you depress the clutch?

Yeah there are quite a few noises going on the loudest is those hydraulic lifters, I've been really tempted to pull the head while I've got the intake manifold and the rest of the bits off so I can clean the valves and replace valve stem seals and possibly replace those hydraulic lifters but they're a common failure point some failing due to the head design and not enough oil getting to them or any delay in oil changes can clog them up (from what I've researched anyway).

As for what you've mentioned mines an automatic so it's definitely not those

[criscarp]

Is it high mileage? Are you sure that ticking isn't the injectors firing?

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by criscarp

Is it high mileage? Are you sure that ticking isn't the injectors firing?

148k at the moment, I did remove the injectors as part of the valve cover gasket replacement and did a thread here which I included a video of INPA injector values:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1491121

I checked the injector values afterwards with INPA and the value were brilliant with all 6 sitting mostly in the middle so i think they're okay! but that means the location of the noises at this moment in time are still unknown :/

I also contacted Paul at The BMW Independent Specialists, Hinckley and got confirmation that the play in the AC compressor is, in fact, normal due to the clutch.. good news but again means no closer to finding those bloody knocks lol.

I also pressed against two injector fuel lines each time with my index finger and thumb as the ticking can change if it is the injectors but no matter how hard or trying injectors 1,2 / 3,4 / 5,6 the noise never changes even the slightest

[criscarp]

I have read your thread, good job.

I had a ticking like this on an old saab 9000 petrol I used to own, different type of hydraulic lifters but an engine flush cleared it, not sure what product I used as is was a very long time ago.

Has it only started recently?

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by criscarp

I have read your thread, good job.

I had a ticking like this on an old saab 9000 petrol I used to own, different type of hydraulic lifters but an engine flush cleared it, not sure what product I used as is was a very long time ago.

Has it only started recently?

Thanks mate, it was a scary job but it was amazing to see the inside of an engine especially with this being the first car I've ever worked on. When I joined E90post I think one of my first questions was "is my EGR vacuum pipe blocked correctly" and there's me uploading a picture of the DPF pressure sensor LMAO I've come quite far given how little I knew when I bought it.

And yeah I can imagine the engine flush helped! but, as you may have noticed yourself a lot of people mention that engine flushing and engine cleaning agents can dislodge oil deposits and create more problems so I was sort of on the fence about it. I did however find with ISTA D (BMW's diagnostic software) a procedure to try and free the hydraulic lifters it was quite simply holding the revs for x amount of seconds I think but I don't think it made a difference.

And as for the noise, the problem is when I first purchased the car it could have had the noises but at that time I wouldn't know the difference between a normal sounding engine and a tappy/knocky one.. and more so I never actually listened out for it as I had 0 mechanical knowledge so it's hard to say really.. I think as I got more involved and started fixing things I just randomly thought "that sound a but weird" and I suppose It just started from there.. my best gauge would be from when I actually posted about the noises as that would have been the time I personally took notice of them.

the cars been at a BMW Specialist and he confirmed what ever sounds they are they aren't catastrophic like bottom end but it would have to stay in for diagnoses but could take a long time so he suggested given that it doesn't seem serious just wait until it gets louder so it's more easily identifiable. But as times gone on I've really enjoyed working on my own car and love saving £££ and the self accomplishment so I go out my way to identify problems nowadays haha.

[criscarp]

Haha, I can see your enjoying working on you car.

Modern good quality oils for modern engines already contain a lot of detergents and cleaning agents so with regular oil changes there should be no residue build up, especially if the engine is running to full temperature. Ie stats are working correctly and run up to temp. Your top end looks ok. I would not recommend a flushing agent to anyone, that is up to the individual.

I did do a short idle flush when I first purchased my car but yes it is not recommended.

Looking on youtube that ticking noise is very common on BMWs. I have a chirping noise in my engine bay sounds like I have an aviary under my bonnet when it is damp outside.

How long have you had the car? Did it have a service history? What oil are you using? Do you do many miles?

Yes I have read that driving the car at high revs can un-stick a sticky lifter.

[Tambohamilton]

As far as I can tell, mine sounds identical. I'm also chasing a (intermittent) knock from mine, though I can't hear it from yours... Hard to hear at idle, but very noticeable at 1500rpm...when it does it. Recent oil analysis came back good (basically 0 wear metals), and my injector values are also good... I haven't got so far as to investigate it very much, other than keeping and ear on it. I thought the recent oil change had fixed it, but it came back again (and intermittent since then). Switching ac on/off doesn't seem to affect it directly, and I don't think it's louder with the oil filler cap removed...
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762699

P.S. Apologies for resurrection. Did you figure out what was causing your noises?