E85 3.0si rough idle / “thwacking” noise?

[georgekitchen7]

Hi everyone,

Just this weekend I’m sure my e85 3.0si engine is making a strange “thwacking” noise / rough idle.

There’s no engine light or any power loss, and oil/filter was changed 3k miles ago. I did have to top the oil up +1L at weekend as the “+1L” oil message was displayed, but used Castrol Fully Synthetic 5w30 as recommended, and oil reading is “OK”.

I have uploaded a recording of the sound here - is this normal? If not, any ideas?

https://youtu.be/6Ta49UZSKaE

Thanks so much for your help, hugely appreciated.

George

 

[thecookie125]

Does it go away with the clutch in?

 

[georgekitchen7]

Hi,

No it doesn’t, unfortunately. Tried that after investigating the “rattle on engine turn off” on these forums - such a wealth of knowledge on here.

George

 

[skelters]

Has it had an "Italian Tune Up" recently?

Is it only short journeys the car is getting?

Sounds as if it needs a good run to quieten down the Hydraulic Valve Adjusters.

 

[georgekitchen7]

Hi Skelters,

Thanks for your reply! Did a 2 hour motorway journey a couple of weeks ago but only short ones since then - does this often happen with just short journeys!?

Thanks,

George

 

[wonkydonkey]

Sounds like lifters. My 3.0 M54 started sounding a little like this. I topped the oil up slightly and it went away. Perhaps yours needs a little more oil? Not having a dipstick doesn't help!

 

[georgekitchen7]

Brill, thank you! Might try some Wynn’s Oil Treatment too... that and giving it a good blast and a long journey! Hopefully nothing more serious than that... thanks guys.

 

[ph001]

Yeh, doesn’t sound like anything particularly wrong to my ears.

 

[georgekitchen7]

Helps put my mind at rest thanks - only had it a couple of weeks (but loving it!)

 

[Migizi]

disa valve?

 

[scarlet-jester]

Hi Skelters,

Thanks for your reply! Did a 2 hour motorway journey a couple of weeks ago but only short ones since then - does this often happen with just short journeys!?

Thanks,

George

For all the research I did before I bought mine, one of the main reoccurring issue with the earlier N52s was the lifters - you can google it or search this forum, there is plenty of info about to read up on it. One thing I learnt is that this often occurs or is exacerbated by short journeys where the engine does not get to temperature. I only ever run my Zed if I know the engine will get to full operating temperature, and my mechanic also recommended the same

 

[georgekitchen7]

Hi Scarlet-Jester,

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. As I’m using it as my daily drive over the summer months, don’t have that option unfortunately, but the lifters issue is just an annoying noise rather than anything serious? Is that right?

Thanks!

George

 

[skelters]

Here's the worst, worst case....

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10937

What's the mileage on the car?

Which oil is in the car?

 

[georgekitchen7]

74,000, 5w-30 fully synthetic, changed a year/4000 miles ago. Got some Wynn’s Oil Treatment, might that help?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JamieZ4C]

74,000, 5w-30 fully synthetic, changed a year/4000 miles ago. Got some Wynn’s Oil Treatment, might that help?

Thanks for your help!

Is it LL04 spec oil? That's the important bit :wink:

 

[georgekitchen7]

A local garage serviced it, when owned by previous owner. I’ll change the oil myself with LL04 spec before next summer when I get it out of the garage and take it off SORN. Castrol Magnatec can be bought LL04 I think?

 

[JamieZ4C]

Indeed it can and it's currently on special offer at Halfords

Edit... Scrap that, I just checked their website and it's back up to normal price :roll:

 

[georgekitchen7]

Thanks Jamie! (I actually got 4L of 50% off Magnatec from Halfords when it was on offer the other day, as Z needed +1L top up) - guess mixing oil types could cause a noise?

 

[skelters]

Have you had the codes read to see if there's anything that might be causing an issue?

 

[JamieZ4C]

Re mixing oil, I don't think it's recommended, although I haven't a clue if it would cause your symptoms.

I say give it an oil and filter change and take it out for a good long blast (preferably on the most fun roads you know - it's what owning a zed is all about )