3.0si engine idle sound

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ChillZ4

Member
My car was at idle and I was just admiring the xenon headlights at the front of the car. The engine was warm as it had just done 150 miles. Anyway I could hear a constant clicking sound coming from the engine. Best described like the sound a 4cylinder engine makes at idle. It cant be heard from inside the cabin, only hear it when stud at the front of the car. Is this normal, pretty sure it is.

Thanks
 
Was the car also feeling a little underpowered and running rougher than you'd expect from a 6 cylinder? If so it's possible you have a wrongly badged 2.0 :D

Sorry I can't offer any constructive help, but engines make a whole load of odd noises at tickover. You should try a Cooper S turbo - sounds like a London diesel taxi
 
WIthin the norms so far as I know. I recall the sound a fair bit from my Z3 days, especially after a day of spirited coastal driving.
 
It's sticky valve lifters. I used to get that a lot while autocrossing and after particularly spirited drives. You can minimize or eliminate it by topping off the oil. On autocross days I always keep the oil level at the full mark plus.
 
ChillZ4 said:
My car was at idle and I was just admiring the xenon headlights at the front of the car. The engine was warm as it had just done 150 miles. Anyway I could hear a constant clicking sound coming from the engine. Best described like the sound a 4cylinder engine makes at idle. It cant be heard from inside the cabin, only hear it when stud at the front of the car. Is this normal, pretty sure it is.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Normal engine sound is all. I know its not sticky lifters, its the valvetronic system. Think of it this way the injectors click, the cam system clicks, on some models your driveshaft will make a clicking noise when clutch pedal is out( mine does this had it checked out and tech said no problems) So with all going on under that hood you have no worries. If your up on the oil,dont do the 15,000 intervals 7,000 max you should be fine, the straight 6 is very bullit proof.
 
my car was making that same exact ticking noise. did an oil change.. still clicking. what did i find out?? it was a valve that sits right next to the engine that needed to replace. it should be around 600 bucks to replace.
 
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