Engine Ticking Noise

[MerBrook]

Worried! We purchased our 57 plate 3.0si coupe in February with 34000 miles on the clock, it has now covered 35600 miles. Started the car up this afternoon to move it a short distance and noticed a ticking noise that hasn't been there previously. The noise rises and falls with the revs. Is this a sign of something major? The car is still under the dealers 3 month warranty but would this problem be covered? Is it a common problem that BMW are aware of and cover? Any advice would be gratefully received. Also the bloody wing mirror glass fell off on Saturday morning :headbang: Astonished at BMW's replacement cost, now sorted via Ebay.

 

[mr wilks]

First off i would look to secure the other mirror before that fall,s off as well ! notorious Z fault
RE the ticking noise /
What,s the service history like ? When was the last ? is it doing lot,s of short stop start run,s without oil getting warm ?

Oh & welcome to the forum

 

[AndyBeech]

Probs the HVA's, plenty of discussion on it if you use the search button/google, in short nothing much to worry about from what I've read on it, if your under warranty wouldn't hurt taking it to BMW and seeing what they offer you

 

[paulgs1000]

Merbrook,

There are some posts on youtube which show the noise which is a concern - might give you an idea - from what I watched it's far more than a ticking noise that is an indication of problems. However - there is a lot of ticking which is normal on the 3.0si motor. I too was worried by the ticking coming from my engine when I first bought my 3.0si - turns out it was quite normal and it was the sound of the fuel injectors. Sounded to me like the noise of tappets out of adjustment (like the noise amplified I'm getting from tapping on my laptop keyboard) Is this the noise you're noticing or is it worse (I don't hear the noise clearly until I lift the bonnet - then it is obvious at tickover).
I was so concerned I took my Zed to a friend who has been a mechanic for 30 years and worked on many BMW straight sixes - he was able to reassure me it was quite normal - hope this is your issue - if not hope you get it sorted.

:driving:

 

[MerBrook]

The car has a full BMW service history and was last serviced in December last year at approximately 30000miles, my wife use's the car as her daily driver 2-3days a week with journeys of 12 miles each way to and from work. The noise is audible without lifting the bonnet but I kind of know what you mean about the keyboard tapping (although a little louder). I think I will get the car checked out at our local BMW specialist this week. The car was brought from a used car dealer rather than BMW AUC so hence the question regarding the warranty, or am I better to get the car checked by BMW?
Thanks for your help and responses.
Merbrook

 

[Johnalexander]

Must be the season for mirrors to
fall off. I've now passed the angry stage with mine and opted for a £10 stick on.

 

[MHZ4C]

As far as I know, all 3 litre si engines manufactured pre 2008 'can' be prone to the hva ticking if driven repeatedly for short distances then left to sit. As I understand it the oil drains from the cylinder head and doesn't fully saturate the hva's when cold, leading to the ticking noise.

There is a new cylinder head available with a non-return valve to stop this, so BMW recognise it.

Get the car nice and hot, then hold the revs at 3k for a few mins. This is similar to the BMW bleed procedure as a first step to remedying the issue. There is also the option of new hva's, which won't prevent the same happening but may be quieter under the same conditions, then finally the mitigation of the root cause with the new cylinder head.
If the hva's aren't worn, then just changing how the car is used will help. Out of warranty the new hva's and cylinder head are pricey and not necessarily needed.

I read up on this before buying my 3.0si as it was one of the few well documented issues. If you have only just noticed the issue, then my bet would be that it is down to how the car has recently been driven or parked up (1600 miles since Feb is pretty low, esp if lots of short journeys where the oil doesn't heat up), rather than worn or knackered hva's.

Also, check where, what type and when the oil was last changed. I read that the oil grade can have an impact. E.g. 0W versus 5W, or higher, may impact the initial lubing of the cylinder head before the oil heats up. Although it should be fine if oil has been the same since purchase up to the time you noticed the issue.

So most likely more a characteristic of the car, not anything wrong with it, or anything you have done. Loads online, check for N52 lifter tick / hva tick. The E46 3 series shares the N52 so forums for 3series have a lot of info too. Hope you get some reassurance.
Definitely worth mentioning to garage where you purchased it too or a specialist so they can determine if all is well and it's just the way the car has been used recently.

 

[Aries326]

I bought my Z with warranty. I had the lifters replaced and the ticks haven't been back. I'd get it fixed. I imagine it isn't too good for the engine in the long run to be ticking away because there's no oil where there should be oil.


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