N52 1-2 second rattle on start up

[DDDD]

Hi all,

My 2006 N52 has an odd rattle that lasts 1-2 second on start up. Happens when the car has been off for about 1 hour plus. I’ve only noticed the noise recently but it may have been doing it for a while as you can’t hear it with the windows up.

I suspect it’s some form of really mild lifter tick. After the initial 1-2 seconds after start up, the engine is smooth. No lifter tick. The car is only on 87k miles with services more or less every year/5k miles. The current oil is 6 month old and it’s at the max. I’ve also recently taken it on a spirited drive which made no difference.

I’ve linked a YouTube video below. The noise I’m hearing is identical to that. The video is time stamped but if it’s not working, 8 mins 30 is where you can hear it.

https://youtu.be/VQweif8dHFg?si=9lWe6CsSGlxgqAUB&t=8m30s

Below is also a Reddit link with the same noise. Not many people replied but the ones that did think it’s normal.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/s/D3jIQFGCy4

If it was another car I’d suspect it’s the timing chain, but N52 timing chains are bomb proof so I’m confident it’s not that.

What do we think? Just normal N52 noises? As I’ve been able to find a few examples of the same noise, I’m hoping it’s just an N52 thing.

 

[bigwinn]

I had the same on my e86

A bottle of liquid moly sorted it. I assumed it was lifters/tappers not having oil after sitting for a while

Someone asked the same on here hence me purchasing the product so it’s worth a search

Fixed it for me

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm on my 4th BMW with an N52 engine and they have all done it to some extent, generally more as mileage increases and more the longer they have sat.

The good news it is doesn't seem to cause any damage so I just live with it, although liquid moly might be an idea.

Anyway welcome to the forum.

And feel free to post some photos!

 

[DDDD]

Thanks both. I just wasn’t sure if this was the lifters as the noise is so brief after start up. Typically the lifters tick until the car has been driven for abit rather than for only a couple of seconds at start up. I guess I’ll put it down as really mild lifter tick. Will take it for another spirited drive this weekend and then look into liqui Moly if the noise persists.