[bfritzsch]

Car: 2011 335i X-Drive e90 - 21,700 miles - Currently no mods

Just noticed a few weeks ago that there is a clicking/ticking noise coming from the engine area of my car when its cold out and the engine is cold. After it warms up it goes away and is not heard again.

[Update] Additionally I went out and tried increasing RPM while cold to something between 1k-1.5k and the noise does not seem to increase in tempo or volume. It is also a lot easier to hear from the passenger side than the driver. Not sure any of that helps, but figured it can't hurt.

Forgive the video in the clip below, was more concerned about getting the phone into the proper position to capture the noise. Also forgive the dirty engine bay, fall was a real bugger this year

Any ideas?

[eforty6_m3]

Kind of difficult to really hear anything that sounds out of the ordinary. I mean, these cars tick, normally. That's what happens with direct injection....the fuel injectors tick. Ours are loud!

[bfritzsch]

Thanks onebamf445i. I notice it ticking quite distinctly actually maybe the video quality isnt that great unless you turn it up real loud. Around 0:33 you should be able to hear it pretty well.

Additionally I went out and tried increasing RPM while cold to something between 1k-1.5k and the noise does not seem to increase in tempo or volume. It is also a lot easier to hear from the passenger side than the driver. Not sure any of that helps, but figured it can't hurt.

[JETmn]

Yeah, the injectors tick a lot because of the high fuel pressure. Pretty annoying, but nothing you can do about it.

[Sidewinderpb]

Probably classic BMW valve tapping. Mine does it too. (I didn't watch video; just basing on your description)

[bfritzsch]

Originally Posted by Sidewinderpb

Probably classic BMW valve tapping. Mine does it too. (I didn't watch video; just basing on your description)

valve tapping doesn't sound good. what's the deal with valve tapping?

[Sidewinderpb]

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

From what I understand, BMWs have had this issue for many years. Probably nothing to worry about. Just annoying.

[bfritzsch]

[Update]
So I have taken my car to the dealer because after sending them the video they agreed it didnt sound normal.

First Trip to dealer: Dropped it off on a Sunday night. They took a look at it Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and supposedly didn't hear it. They let it set Thursday without touching it. Started it on Friday and heard a noise that was a bit different. After some diagnosing this new noise they came back with the Throttle body being an issue. They said the whole thing needed to be swapped. I questioned this as the sound did not change at all when I opened the throttle or adjusted RPM, though it still wasnt the sound I brought it in for. Either way, I told them well if that is an issue lets go ahead and change it on Monday. Figured Id let it sit for a bit more and maybe they would hear the noise when they went to replace the TB.

Luckily for me they did hear the noise that morning. They determined it was the vent valve and breather line for the TB. So they replaced it and I picked it up on Tuesday for a tighty little sum of $525. When I picked it up Tuesday evening I still heard the noise and brought it to the SA's attention. She recommended that I take it home and come back in the morning when the technician was back in.

Second Trip to dealer: Dropped it off on a Monday. They then checked it over multiple times over the next day and couldnt figure out what the noise was. That Friday they opened a case with BMW NA. The following week with whatever assistance they received from that they were able to find a abnormal noise/issue coming from the VANOS system. So needless to say they fully replaced the entire VANOS system, free of charge (good will).

I picked it up this morning and didnt hear the noise as distinctive as before. I am going to let it sit for a couple days and see if the noise comes back. The technician wrote on the service invoice that the noises since the VANOS replacement is normal and was compared to other n55 engines and did not find anything abnormal.

I will update the thread again if the sound were to return louder like it was originally.

[weehe126]

I would hope that they didnt charge you for the VANOS replacement as there is basically a recall for them lol. But good to hear it all got sorted.

[Hakentt]

tighty little sum of $525

So did you get your money back? Gives you idea that dealer is clueless.

[bfritzsch]

Originally Posted by weehe126

I would hope that they didnt charge you for the VANOS replacement as there is basically a recall for them lol. But good to hear it all got sorted.

There is actually just a recall on the bolts, not the entire system.

Originally Posted by Hakentt

So did you get your money back? Gives you idea that dealer is clueless.

No, I considered it a wash being that I was out of warranty and for $500 if its fixed I am okay with that. Will I shell out another dime for this ticking noise? Not a chance in hell. They will be on the hook for whatever is/isnt fixed.

[weehe126]

Originally Posted by bfritzsch

There is actually just a recall on the bolts, not the entire system.

THE SIB states to replace the whole units. But I agree, $500 isn't too bad for the work done.

[bfritzsch]

So the ticking is still somewhat there but definitely not as loud. The one thing I do notice which is how they also first found the noise is if you take the oil fill cap off while the car is warming up it ticks like a mofo.

Any chance someone can test this on their N55 to see if it does the same? Essentially just need to turn on car, pop the hood and unscrew oil fill cap. *EDIT* After some more research it seems like that with the oil cap off it may be expected as that breaks the vacuum seal and makes it run leaner? Still curious if that happens with everyone.

[Amini77]

Mine does the same thing on my 535i f10, not sure what to do about it. Doesn't make the car run any different, is it a big deal?