[martinlag]

When the SA brought out my car, it was ticking pretty loud...he said that if it continued, bring it back and he would escalate. Ugh, I hate how it's there sometimes and totally silent other times.

C'est la vie.

[alarroyo]

UPDATE: I picked my car up yesterday. What a difference night and day and no ticking, but the great news were this morning when I started up the car (temp outside was 25 degrees) and there was no ticking whatsoever. Those SAs may tell you that it will not hurt the engine but when your car starts sounding like a diesel and you are out of warranty then it will cost you. That is the same excuse they use for years on the fuel pump issues with the 335s (no failures, no deaths, and no safety issues) and they still did the recall. Bottom line is no customer should pay for engineering flaws by the manufacturer. BMW fix mine and I'm glad they backed up their product.

[babybeast3]

I understand ^^. If it was my car, I'd probably do the same. I just live 140 miles from the dealer, and 3 services before it's really fixed, and for what?

For me, I'm just glad I know it's really not a major issue. Our car gets a lot of hwy miles which probably makes a difference. I also want people to consider that there really are no reported (to me by my SA) engine failures from this. And I assume most people who have it intermittently (like my wife) never even notice it, so drive with it for 10's of thousands of miles, like we have. The car runs like new. Today it started and ran fine at 22 below F. That temp will expose a problem pretty fast.

[DUI Elite]

Mine ticks on very cold days. I'm out of warranty though, I really hope its not a problem. I'll see if I can have it checked out.

[RaZCaL]

So I been hearing this ticking noise as well when i start up my car. It only happens in idle. After reading this thread, should I be paranoid? I don't hear it when i accelerate.

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

So I been hearing this ticking noise as well when i start up my car. It only happens in idle. After reading this thread, should I be paranoid? I don't hear it when i accelerate.

+1

I have the same issue. I am assuming it is nothing but reading this thread is getting me worried. Ill email my SA and see if he is aware of this issue and if its something to worry about.

[DUI Elite]

I thought the ticking noise was only on the N52s, why are people with N54s worrying?

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

I thought the ticking noise was only on the N52s, why are people with N54s worrying?

Well it is obvious that N54s have the problem also. I got an email from my SA and he said it is the Fuel injectors at normal performance levels. If it becomes unusually louder bring it in.

[Jay0101]

I had the infamous ticking (slightly and occasionally) during idle, but it always when away. As a daily highway driver, I think this help minimize it, so wasn't worried. My 2007 e92 328i hasn't exhibited the sound as of yet..

[asus389]

Not sure if this was posted on this thread earlier, but Automobile Magazine commented on this issue. They apparently had it with their 2006 330i long term test vehicle. Issue was fixed with a new head, but started with the ticking.

http://automobile.automotive.com/786...ons/index.html

My 06 325i is ticking intermittently. When I reported it earlier this year, the dealer here couldn't reproduce and didn't seem interested in fixing it. I am going to try another in the area now that I have a video of the issue on my iphone.

Does replacing just the valve lifters ever really fix the issue? Will it always still progress until needing the head replaced?

[alarroyo]

That article is dead on what I was experiencing. I was told the same thing by other people that the problem won't harm the engine. My car had only a little over 23k miles on it. Out of warranty and BMW fixed it with a one time goodwill repair. Lack of lubrication problems is not a good thing and the bottom line is "No Customer Should Pay For Manufacturer's Engineering Flaw." And just fixing the lifters won't do after probably a few months the ticking noise will probably come back and by that time you'll be out of warranty. My car like I said on an earlier post the difference is night and day. No more ticking even at cold temps. If you notice it and you are still under warranty get it fixed go for the cylinder head repair. You may not be lucky as I was. I see this problem becoming a recall as it happened with the HPFP.

[DL]

Originally Posted by alarroyo

That article is dead on what I was experiencing. I was told the same thing by other people that the problem won't harm the engine. My car had only a little over 23k miles on it. Out of warranty and BMW fixed it with a one time goodwill repair. Lack of lubrication problems is not a good thing and the bottom line is "No Customer Should Pay For Manufacturer's Engineering Flaw." And just fixing the lifters won't do after probably a few months the ticking noise will probably come back and by that time you'll be out of warranty. My car like I said on an earlier post the difference is night and day. No more ticking even at cold temps. If you notice it and you are still under warranty get it fixed go for the cylinder head repair. You may not be lucky as I was. I see this problem becoming a recall as it happened with the HPFP.

+1 alarroyo,

Congrats on the fix. You are the first to have the problem resolved out of goodwill on this thread. Maybe even on the planet…

From the article:

“The first indication of a problem with our 2006 330i was valve ticking at cold idle. Before long, there was constant valve noise throughout the rev range at all operating temperatures. BMW of Ann Arbor diagnosed worn camshafts, lifters, and rocker arms caused by a lubrication failure in the cylinder head. As a result, our car was off the road for five weeks, awaiting further diagnosis and parts from Germany. Luckily, the car was still under warranty, but we would have been hyperventilating over a $4300 repair if that weren't the case.”

[babybeast3]

I don't think replacing the lifters is worth it, as it's an oiling issue from the oil flow through the head. The N54 is not effected, worry about the HPFP ().

If I had this problem (which I do) I'd go for a good long drive driving it like a race, near redline, and high revs. If it still does it (it won't for a while), consider your future with the car. Can you sell a car that ticks loudly? Will you keep it til it rots? Then just live with it. It won't hurt the car, says my BMW SA and I - the guy you don't know. If you complain enough the BMW dealer will fix it... Because cars shouldn't make noise.


Then consider a Chevy Volt. They don't make any noise.

[bob.g]

the problem was eventually fixed for newer models right? like a 2010 lets say, wouldnt have ticking? im asking since i figure if this ever did come up on mine and im out of warranty, i could maybe pick up the head at a scrap yard for ~1k and have an indy shop do it..would be better to pay 2-2.5k installed vs the 6k+ a dealer would ask for.

[DUI Elite]

Originally Posted by bob.g

the problem was eventually fixed for newer models right? like a 2010 lets say, wouldnt have ticking? im asking since i figure if this ever did come up on mine and im out of warranty, i could maybe pick up the head at a scrap yard for ~1k and have an indy shop do it..would be better to pay 2-2.5k installed vs the 6k+ a dealer would ask for.

I'm gonna bring it up to my dealer to see what he says. How many miles do you have on yours? I have 43k so I hope I can have a good will repair too. Might have to ask my rents to take it in just cuz they treat anyone under the age of 25 with a BMW as a fool.

[audioguro]

Does anyone have a copy (pdf) of the most recent TSB service bulletin on this issue? I'm looking for a copy to give to my dealer.

[DUI Elite]

Originally Posted by audioguro

Does anyone have a copy (pdf) of the most recent TSB service bulletin on this issue? I'm looking for a copy to give to my dealer.

Huge X2. Would GREATLY appreciate the gesture.

[DL]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

Huge X2. Would GREATLY appreciate the gesture.

audio, your 335i will not be included as it has the N54 engine.

Google what is between the quotes to get original. None later that I have seen.

"SI B 11 09 07 September 2009"

Copy of one here.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...51#post5920951

[tony176000]

Ok, couple points,
I am lazy at the moment and don't have the exact post, but I have read this ENTIRE thread, and the timeline seems to be: Originally, the fix was new lifters, which did not work, then was an entire head, which probably did not work but may have worked for some poeple, finally, a guy stated that the ultimate fix was the latest revised lifters themselves, therefore, the final solution is the installation of the latest lifters, NOT the entire head replacement. This is what I was told today by my SA as well. Does anyone have that post handy from this thread (in which the new, improved lifters are stated to be the solution)? I think after YEARS of this issue, I trust they have found the solution, but....well, you know.
Anyway, in for testing over night tonight, with a lifter replacement likely. My ticking has always been few and far between, but OBVIOUSLY a lifter tick when I hear it. But with 3 months of warranty left it would be nice to put this to bed once and for all.

BTW, my SA and dealership here in town have been nothing but upfront and easy to work with, also a 2010 Center of Excellence. FWIW.

[tony176000]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

Might have to ask my rents to take it in just cuz they treat anyone under the age of 25 with a BMW as a fool.

Sorry this is
Not to be rude, but most people with a luxury vehicle who are under the age of 25 are, in fact, fools. Hope not you, man! If you earn it, it takes on a whole new meaning. Expensive gifts are often lifelong handicaps in disguise.

[tony176000]

Meant that I am off topic on that last one ^^^

[DL]

Originally Posted by tony176000

Ok, couple points,
I am lazy at the moment and don't have the exact post, but I have read this ENTIRE thread, and the timeline seems to be: Originally, the fix was new lifters, which did not work, then was an entire head, which probably did not work but may have worked for some poeple, finally, a guy stated that the ultimate fix was the latest revised lifters themselves, therefore, the final solution is the installation of the latest lifters, NOT the entire head replacement. This is what I was told today by my SA as well. Does anyone have that post handy from this thread (in which the new, improved lifters are stated to be the solution)? I think after YEARS of this issue, I trust they have found the solution, but....well, you know.
Anyway, in for testing over night tonight, with a lifter replacement likely. My ticking has always been few and far between, but OBVIOUSLY a lifter tick when I hear it. But with 3 months of warranty left it would be nice to put this to bed once and for all.

BTW, my SA and dealership here in town have been nothing but upfront and easy to work with, also a 2010 Center of Excellence. FWIW.

Two good links for review that I found very helpful for the N52 engine ticking problem:

http://blog.bavauto.com/bmw-e60-e61/...e-tappet-noise

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...postcount=1310