Ticking/ Knocking? Video Included

[Alexander]

Guys I've only had my Z4 for about a month now, and yesterday while in a drive through lane I noticed loud ticking noise/ maybe knocking.

Details:
'07 3.0i
36k miles
Oil changed with Mobil 1 0W40 w/ Mann filter a month ago.
^ Oil level good.
I use Tier I 93 octane gas.
Car was semi-warm each time. Fully warmed up per the gauge, but about 40F outside with only a few miles driven since cold.

What do you guys think is going on?

Or is this normal? As I said I've only owned it for a month.

[Alexander]

^ Ok sounds like I have the infamous N52 valve tick. Video poster above claims BMW's improved head fixed the issue.

Is there any TSBs for this issue? Would BMW be willing to perform it out of warranty?

Is the valve ticking harmful, or is it just apart of the design?

Anything to help it? Different oil, additive, etc?

[baege]

Originally Posted by Alexander

^ Ok sounds like I have the infamous N52 valve tick. Video poster above claims BMW's improved head fixed the issue.

Is there any TSBs for this issue? Would BMW be willing to perform it out of warranty?

Is the valve ticking harmful, or is it just apart of the design?

Anything to help it? Different oil, additive, etc?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

Enjoy!

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by baege

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

Enjoy!

Yeah thanks.

Anyone have cliffs?

Can I keep driving on it, or do I need to replace the head?

Anyone find any back yard fixes? Additives? Oil? Valve cleaning?

EDIT: My BMW tech just said it is fine, it is just an aesthetic issue. No harm, just apart of the design.

So from what I have surmised is highway miles will quiet it down, as will warmer weather.

[santov]

My service manager was pretty cool. He said BMW's first step was to replace the lifters with ones that had small valleys so the oil could drain back out.

They did that, but the engine became a little clacky.

If the customer still complains you get a new head and valve assembly. When the problem started dealers were ordering heads and billing BMW back for huge labor fees to tear the engine down and rebuild it. BMW came out with a head kit pretty damn fast that has new head, valve assembly, etc.

I'd suggest get the updated lifters, wait a couple weeks and then go back and demand the rebuild kit. It may require a little complaining/cage rattling, but it's worth it. From the oil fill cap you can see all the pretty new parts.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by santov

My service manager was pretty cool. He said BMW's first step was to replace the lifters with ones that had small valleys so the oil could drain back out.

They did that, but the engine became a little clacky.

If the customer still complains you get a new head and valve assembly. When the problem started dealers were ordering heads and billing BMW back for huge labor fees to tear the engine down and rebuild it. BMW came out with a head kit pretty damn fast that has new head, valve assembly, etc.

I'd suggest get the updated lifters, wait a couple weeks and then go back and demand the rebuild kit. It may require a little complaining/cage rattling, but it's worth it. From the oil fill cap you can see all the pretty new parts.

I am out of warranty so I would have to do all the work myself.

I just drove a lot of highway for Thanksgiving, and threw in Pentosin valve cleaner. That quieted them down a lot.

My indi tech said don't worry about replacing the head, it is just a noise, not an actual pending mechanical failure.

I freaked out because typically tapping valves is a oh shit indicator.

[rkstar9]

Have the same ticking on my car, It comes and goes not too worried about it.

From what I gather on that thread on e90 it's fixable by replacing a number of parts, this makes it unpractical even for dealerships so it only gets done if it really bothers you that much

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by rkstar9

Have the same ticking on my car, It comes and goes not too worried about it.

From what I gather on that thread on e90 it's fixable by replacing a number of parts, this makes it unpractical even for dealerships so it only gets done if it really bothers you that much

It went away with Pentosin valve cleaner and 300 miles of highway driving.