[jackalz9]

Hey all, been lurking in the forums for years and finally making a post but I wish it was better. I have a 2011 Bmw 335i xdrive with 170xxxkms and it has a really bad rattle. Started out as a little rattle when I would give it partial gas and let off but it would disappear under a medium load. Last night I was driving home and the rattle is now insane. I have linked a video clip of the car running. I did get vanos codes a few months ago but they have since went away. The noise seems to be coming from inside the valve cover. Any help would be appreciated!

https://youtube.com/shorts/H2CoZtQJt-w?feature=share

Just scanned it and it came up with code p122f

[whyzee125]

I feel like I write this about once a week, but: another N55 bites the dust.

Really sorry to hear. It's hard to tell from the video, the sound does sound possibly a bit higher pitched than a rod knock but I think I hear two pitches of noises, possibly one being a resonance from the other. While there's no way to diagnose for sure without tearing it open, it seems likely you've spun a rod bearing. Around the 13 second mark, the higher pitched noise disappears and what's left sounds to me like a rod knock, which is very common on N55's. Keep us posted and good luck.

I hope I'm wrong

[jackalz9]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I feel like I write this about once a week, but: another N55 bites the dust.

Really sorry to hear. It's hard to tell from the video, the sound does sound possibly a bit higher pitched than a rod knock but I think I hear two pitches of noises, possibly one being a resonance from the other. While there's no way to diagnose for sure without tearing it open, it seems likely you've spun a rod bearing. Keep us posted and good luck.

I hope I'm wrong

Hey thanks for the reply!
I've been doing a little more digging, could this be the vanos bolts issue?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by jackalz9

Hey thanks for the reply!
I've been doing a little more digging, could this be the vanos bolts issue?

Definitely possible! I don't think Canadian N55's were eligible for the recall, but it could be that they still had the defective bolts and were just never recalled.

[jackalz9]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Definitely possible! I don't think Canadian N55's were eligible for the recall, but it could be that they still had the defective bolts and were just never recalled.

Would this be something I could check myself and email Bmw about? The same thing happened to my n54 with the wastegate rattle

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by jackalz9

Would this be something I could check myself and email Bmw about? The same thing happened to my n54 with the wastegate rattle

You can run your VIN on BMW's website or call a dealer with the VIN. When I had my N55, I was concerned about the vanos bolt issue and called the dealer but they said since mine was a Canadian spec car, it didn't qualify for the recall.

[jackalz9]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

You can run your VIN on BMW's website or call a dealer with the VIN. When I had my N55, I was concerned about the vanos bolt issue and called the dealer but they said since mine was a Canadian spec car, it didn't qualify for the recall.

Originally Posted by whyzee125

You can run your VIN on BMW's website or call a dealer with the VIN. When I had my N55, I was concerned about the vanos bolt issue and called the dealer but they said since mine was a Canadian spec car, it didn't qualify for the recall.

So if the motor is fucked, would it hurt for me to try and pull it to rebuild it? Also have you heard anyone of swapping a diesel in if I got a parts car?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by jackalz9

So if the motor is fucked, would it hurt for me to try and pull it to rebuild it? Also have you heard anyone of swapping a diesel in if I got a parts car?

I'd say knock yourself out! If you did spin a bearing, you'll need a new crank or to get yours machined so it will be a messy process but you've got nothing to lose. Diesel swap would be a cool option. Someone just sold a 135i on BaT that was diesel swapped. It was a 2011 too, so probably had a similar experience to yours.