Help diagnosing engine ticking/tapping

[charlieaf92]

I have an 03 3.0i that I purchased about 6 months ago (it has 62k miles). I've noticed a tapping/ticking at idle since I bought the car (I am assuming it does it all the time, but it is only audible from outside the car, so I only hear it at idle). Sometimes it seems to be louder than other times.

I did some research and read about the VANOS causing a similar issue - but since its done it the entire time I've owned the car I can't speak to any loss of low or high end power.

It seems to run and idle great and there are no check engine codes. From a power standpoint, it does seem to be lacking in the mid to upper range. It seems like all of the power is right around 3k and everything else is just sucking wind. But, again I don't have anything to compare it to and my previous car had about 50 more hp and a vicious power band that would snap your head back when you hit 5,000rpm.

I am wondering if there are any tricks to verifying if the VANOS is bad other than taking it apart? I may get a stethoscope to try to narrow down where the ticking is coming from - but it seems to be coming from the front of the engine so it leads me to believe its VANOS related or a bearing/pulley going bad.

Here is a quick video I took today - it is hard to distinguish the noise over the normal engine noise, but if you listen closely you can hear it when I put the camera in close.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NrKAwLAuE8[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NrKAwLAuE8

Thank you!
Charlie

 

[spearman]

Hi Charlie,

I believe maximum torque in the 3.0l is around 4.5 - 6k rpm. You should be flying through this range under hard acceleration. You should also notice the exhaust tone change (the best rev range for exhaust sound IMO).

Has the car been serviced properly?
May be the idle control valve?http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20128


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[Paza3]

DISA replacment for ticking miles are about right for a replacment? , I doubt its a vanos

 

[Lance]

DISA replacment for ticking miles are about right for a replacment? , I doubt its a vanos

This is what I'd check first

15 mins to remove, check/replace, refit.

 

[ranski]

I have a 2003 with just over 40000 miles

I recently replaced my disa due to the rattle - although the m54 is a tad noisy the rattle has gone since I replaced the unit


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[Stromtech]

Replaced my DISA just under 60K miles...I thought it was lifters but a new DISA got rid of the ticking. Easy 10 minute job to check it and eliminate it as an issue. Do a Google search, there are forums/threads with pictures and how to's. You really need to remove it to inspect it properly and I suggest doing so every 50K before it fails and the metal pin drops into the intake.

 

[charlieaf92]

I think you guys hit the nail on the head. I removed the DISA tonight to take a look at it. The little flap/door flips around freely with no resistance. It does not even appear to be connected to the plunger/actuator.

I am going to call BMW tomorrow morning and order a new one.

Thank you so much for the help!
Charlie

 

[shadowdrgn0]

hey let me know what kind of price they give you for the part, i feel like i need to get this done. i bought my car at 62k miles, and i'm just now hearing about this. i have know way of knowing if the previous owner replaced it, or even knew about it so im gong to get it done.