S54 noise?

intoflatlines · 06-29-2014, 04:41 PM

I've wondered this before and basic searching shows people saying that the S54 is simply a noisy engine but I decided to take a video to see what you guys think. Is this normal noise at idle? It is most noticeable from beside the car near the front wheels. When I open the hood all the noise kind of just blends together but with the hood closed and from the side there is this rhythmic ticking sound. I also occasionally hear a rhythmic ticking around 2500-3000RPM sometimes.

donoman · 06-29-2014, 06:23 PM

It's definitely a noisy motor. From your video sounds normal. If ticking is excessive you may be due for a valve check.

I also felt like the damn thing was about to blow up first few times I heard it since my other car has the 2.5l M54 motor. Go to a BMW meet and listen to the other S54's if you want to be sure.

mtrhed · 06-29-2014, 06:56 PM

Sounds normal. Added "ticking" in the RPM range you mentioned is most likely the VANOS splined shafts rattling. Once again normal and should "fade" as the revs climb.

bjbstewart · 06-29-2014, 07:19 PM

I've had mine for almost a year now - ticking bugs the heck out of me, but I've come to accept it...

I like what Donoman said - go hear some others for peace of mind...

ried · 06-29-2014, 11:37 PM

100% normal.

Beedub · 06-30-2014, 01:33 AM

spounds like mine.... and mine only has 11k miles. lol!!

normal!!

dubsesd · 06-30-2014, 06:41 AM

I love how noisy it is. Sounds aggressive and means business haha

Vanne · 06-30-2014, 06:43 AM

sounds like mine and mine has 200K kilometers on it

kdphan · 06-30-2014, 11:24 AM

sounds normal

my e92 M3 had the same ticking from what i remember

gas-can · 06-30-2014, 01:05 PM

Doesn't the S54 have solid lifters instead of hydraulics? That sounds just like a little bit of lifter noise.

Solid lifters are almost always going to be louder than hydraulics. Hydraulics automagically reach zero valve lash when they are filled with oil. Benefit with solids though is no pump up or bleed down - so better performance at high rpms.

-gc

Swashplate · 07-01-2014, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsesd

I love how noisy it is. Sounds aggressive and means business haha

This.

Just like listen to the motor on the E39 M5. Mmmmmmmm

thekurgan · 07-01-2014, 03:06 PM

Is this a warm or cold engine recorded? You may want to check the torque on the plugs; I had one loose, not finger loose, but enough to create an audible. What is the history on the valve adjustments? I also found using the craftsman feeler gauges, as opposed to the BMW tech gauges, the engine was quieter, perhaps more precision involved. It's also good to have the ticking on the exhaust side, those valves must touch the head.

intoflatlines · 07-01-2014, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Is this a warm or cold engine recorded? You may want to check the torque on the plugs; I had one loose, not finger loose, but enough to create an audible. What is the history on the valve adjustments? I also found using the craftsman feeler gauges, as opposed to the BMW tech gauges, the engine was quieter, perhaps more precision involved. It's also good to have the ticking on the exhaust side, those valves must touch the head.

Warm engine, I will torque the plugs. Valve adjustment was done last summer, around 4K miles ago.

Westersund · 07-03-2014, 11:26 AM

Mine sound just like that and the valves got adjusted like 700 miles ago. And it have 31K miles on the odometer.

06-29-2014, 04:41 PM	#1
intoflatlines Lieutenant 67 Rep 501 Posts Drives: Z4MR, E34, E30 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	S54 noise? I've wondered this before and basic searching shows people saying that the S54 is simply a noisy engine but I decided to take a video to see what you guys think. Is this normal noise at idle? It is most noticeable from beside the car near the front wheels. When I open the hood all the noise kind of just blends together but with the hood closed and from the side there is this rhythmic ticking sound. I also occasionally hear a rhythmic ticking around 2500-3000RPM sometimes.
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06-29-2014, 06:23 PM	#2
donoman Rookie 33 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (1)	It's definitely a noisy motor. From your video sounds normal. If ticking is excessive you may be due for a valve check. I also felt like the damn thing was about to blow up first few times I heard it since my other car has the 2.5l M54 motor. Go to a BMW meet and listen to the other S54's if you want to be sure.
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06-29-2014, 06:56 PM	#3
mtrhed Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 06 AW Z4MR/w211 e63 AMG/325XiT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Sounds normal. Added "ticking" in the RPM range you mentioned is most likely the VANOS splined shafts rattling. Once again normal and should "fade" as the revs climb. __________________ 06 Alpinweiss Z4M R Anthracite Apex EC-7 9F/9.5R, 245/275 Super Sport's, 17" Kosei K1 255/40r17 Direzza II, SS Lines, Pagid RS29, Ate SuperBlue, VT Comp. MM's, RE trans. mounts, AST 4150, Swift springs, Vorschlag camber plates, RE RSM, H&R swaybars, spherical rtabs, SuperFlex poly fcabs, StrongStrut Braces, Euro Headers, Stromung exhaust, ESS Tune, Eventuri intake
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06-29-2014, 07:19 PM	#4
bjbstewart Private 9 Rep 370 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4MC - Sold [7.66] 2006 330ci ZHP [0.00] 2000 Porsche Boxster S [0.00] 1972 DeTomaso Pantera [9.50]	I've had mine for almost a year now - ticking bugs the heck out of me, but I've come to accept it... I like what Donoman said - go hear some others for peace of mind... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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06-29-2014, 11:37 PM	#5
ried Captain 792 Rep 817 Posts Drives: F31, F80 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	100% normal.
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06-30-2014, 01:33 AM	#6
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,328 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	spounds like mine.... and mine only has 11k miles. lol!! normal!! __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
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06-30-2014, 06:41 AM	#7
dubsesd #dubspec 6332 Rep 5,201 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	I love how noisy it is. Sounds aggressive and means business haha __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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06-30-2014, 06:43 AM	#8
Vanne Down Under!! 1621 Rep 4,294 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dubai iTrader: (4)	sounds like mine and mine has 200K kilometers on it __________________ 2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC - Building/Developing Z4 GT3 Powered by
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06-30-2014, 11:24 AM	#9
kdphan Captain 338 Rep 774 Posts Drives: everything is gone! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Emeryville, CA iTrader: (0)	sounds normal my e92 M3 had the same ticking from what i remember
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06-30-2014, 01:05 PM	#10
gas-can Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2006 3.0i Roadster Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Doesn't the S54 have solid lifters instead of hydraulics? That sounds just like a little bit of lifter noise. Solid lifters are almost always going to be louder than hydraulics. Hydraulics automagically reach zero valve lash when they are filled with oil. Benefit with solids though is no pump up or bleed down - so better performance at high rpms. -gc
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07-01-2014, 03:06 PM	#12
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 232 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Is this a warm or cold engine recorded? You may want to check the torque on the plugs; I had one loose, not finger loose, but enough to create an audible. What is the history on the valve adjustments? I also found using the craftsman feeler gauges, as opposed to the BMW tech gauges, the engine was quieter, perhaps more precision involved. It's also good to have the ticking on the exhaust side, those valves must touch the head. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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07-03-2014, 11:26 AM	#14
Westersund Captain 497 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hallstahammar iTrader: (1)	Mine sound just like that and the valves got adjusted like 700 miles ago. And it have 31K miles on the odometer.
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