Is my engine knocking?

Nick.le · Post by **Nick.le** » Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:17 pm

Hi, I’m very new to the forum so please let me know if I’m missing any posting etiquette. I have a 2007 e85 z4 6mt that recently developed this loud ticking sound. It happened when I started it up one day it went away the next and came back today. Just want to know if it’s a huge concern.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gY_4Jl4rcVM? ... o6jvovUDVS

raymond.harper · Post by **raymond.harper** » Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:31 pm

Ticking on start-up is common. When was the oil last changed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuQrzkpmTsI

Rsipad · Post by **Rsipad** » Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:43 pm

Sounds like valve lifter tick. Common on the N52 when you let the car idle for a long time or if your commute is shorter than the time it takes for the engine to fully warm up. The fix is just to occasionally take it for longer drives or go above 6k rpm occasionally (once the car is warm of course). There's no damage being cause by the ticking, it just means the lifters aren't fully lubricated (which doesn't really matter, some people just find the ticking annoying).

Just to show how common it is, I was charging up my battery a few days ago (went flat when the ignition was left on

) and the lifter tick started because the car was idling for 20 minutes after a cold start. Went away the next day on a mountain run.

Nick.le · Post by **Nick.le** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:11 am

Thanks for the info, I haven’t changed the oil in my ownership yet but I’ve probably only driven around 100 miles. Good to know my car isn’t broken haha

Rsipad · Post by **Rsipad** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:03 am

Nick.le wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:11 am Thanks for the info, I haven’t changed the oil in my ownership yet but I’ve probably only driven around 100 miles. Good to know my car isn’t broken haha

Congrats on the Zed and welcome to the forum

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:19 am

Welcome on board Nick. Enjoy your Z4.

coldel · Post by **coldel** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:25 am

Worth checking the oil in any case. Take the car for a spirited 20 minute run and check the oil measurement (there was a really good thread yesterday explaining how the N52 measures oil electronically). You should check that its got good levels in it, and you should find the tick goes away, appreciate its quite disconcerting as a noise!

paddy wright · Post by **paddy wright** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:38 am

Welcome to the mad house

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:48 pm

Nick.le wrote: ↑Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:17 pm Hi, I’m very new to the forum so please let me know if I’m missing any posting etiquette.

Yes, you are. I don't seem to have received the cheque yet!

Welcome BTW.

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