[F31cruisin]

Since many of us may be out of warranty now, has anyone been able to do a DIY to remove the head?

[ExchangeHut]

I haven't done the head yet, but I have what I'm hoping is a valve cover leak. About 20k miles ago, I blew the water pump about 80 miles from home and limped the car to a farm-house off the highway. I'm hoping the couple miles I limped didn't warp the head.

Keep us posted if you find a good DIY, as I'm guessing its in my near future.

Thanks,

Jared

[Whathedunks]

I'm not sure where to start, the noise started yesterday (good start to a new year huh) but it was not bad as the video. The ticking/knocking noise would come and go (Yesterday) when the car was turned off/on but now it doesn't go away. I just replaced the oil/filter hoping this would fix the issue but nothing. I scheduled an appointment to get the car checked out at a local BMW dealership but that won't be until next Tuesday and just wanted some other opinions on the problem just to have an idea. I can't justify if this is a ticking or knocking noise as it is really damn loud. The car is an E90 328i, out of warranty. The car has been great besides this current problem. Any help would be appreciated. Here is the video:

[sdubois]

Wow dude that sounds horrible! Mine is ticking but not nearly as loud as that and mine has 95,000 miles on it. (2009 335i) Does the ticking go away when you have someone increase the rpms?

[sdubois]

Whatthedunks.. that sounds serious.. it's not a typical lifter like sound.. I have a feeling you will learn sooner than later if that continues..

[Whathedunks]

Originally Posted by sdubois

Wow dude that sounds horrible! Mine is ticking but not nearly as loud as that and mine has 95,000 miles on it. (2009 335i) Does the ticking go away when you have someone increase the rpms?

Negative, ticking increases throughout all rpms. The funny thing is that the car never gets driven hard and gets driven less than 10 miles a day. I'm just mind blown at this point but I guess I'll just have to see what the service department finds out.

[Bmr3sn]

I have the lifter tick when the engine oil is cold.......doesnt sound anything like that. I wouldnt drive it with that kind of noise. Better safe than sorry.

[Bavarian Black]

Originally Posted by Bmr3sn

I have the lifter tick when the engine oil is cold.......doesnt sound anything like that. I wouldnt drive it with that kind of noise. Better safe than sorry.

Ditto

Even engine tick wheb engine is cold incl cold start up-normal.
Ticking when engine is at optimal oil temp- should certainly be checked.

[M_Azing]

Originally Posted by Whathedunks

I'm not sure where to start, the noise started yesterday (good start to a new year huh) but it was not bad as the video. The ticking/knocking noise would come and go (Yesterday) when the car was turned off/on but now it doesn't go away.

Sounds more like an engine knock then a valvetrain noise based on the video.

[Agentphish]

Mine went in for lifters and some other things I've been experiencing this morning. My SA was top notch and brought out one of the techs to go over my car with me. Great attention to detail. Nice to talk to the guy who will actually perform the work. As a former tech (not auto) myself I appreciate that. On top of that he said he can get everything done by tomorrow as long as everything goes as planned. There are 6 items he's looking at including the Lifters/Rockers.

Have an F30 loaner. It's ok. I don't personally like the feel of the steering and just not used to the 4banger sound it puts out but nice car overall.

[Whathedunks]

Update: Took the car in on Tuesday (1/7), got a call earlier today (1/9) from my SA. He told me the noise was coming from the a/c compressor (who would have guessed, I myself thought it was either the valve train or a rod knock) and that it should be fixed by sometime next week. Glad it was only a $300 part compared to a $3000 motor. Hopefully this will fix the problem, I will keep you all posted.

[WhiteFury]

100% valvetronics or EGR/crank pressure leak. Pressure is leaking somewhere.

That sound is NOT bent valves, rod knock or piston slap. So thats good news for you.

I would start looking out the HPFP and the pressure valve that goes to the vacuum lines.

[clubs07]

At first I was scared this noise might be related to the ticking noise, but after examining further I believe this maybe the dying steering wheel pump.
I have had issues with the steering pump the past few weeks. There is a vibration sensation and noise when turning the wheel lock to lock. Also the steering fluid in the reservoir is in the min level. I ordered the fluid and was planning to flush and refill the power steering system once I receive my order but I guess now I will need to replace the power steering pump. The car is @ 52K miles.
I hope this doesn't further damage the steering rack.
Any ideas appreciated if you have heard a failing power steering pump sounding like this when the engine is idle.

[ctuna]

Driving the car hard and for long distances
Helps prevent this as it gets the oil up in the lifters.

[beri486]

I am still driving my 325i E90 bought in Aug. 2005 with more than 150K miles on it and have never had this issue. Any other high mile owners around?

[Geraldo]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Driving the car hard and for long distances
Helps prevent this as it gets the oil up in the lifters.

Thank for info..

[insane79]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Driving the car hard and for long distances
Helps prevent this as it gets the oil up in the lifters.

dunno how much this is true

[Neill222]

I read in the manual that if you use low octane fuel the engine will tick but it will not damage the engine as you don't have to use 91 octane. The book said it doesn't damage the engine. Check your book maybe?

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Driving the car hard and for long distances
Helps prevent this as it gets the oil up in the lifters.

I don't know about this one. I have had 2 E90 325i cars with this problem now and 70% of my driving is fast country driving (110km/h for several hours). When the car is developing the problem, the ticking is usually most evident after driving on the highway for some time and then leaving the car to rest for some time.

My last one was fixed under extended warranty, and they have a specific protocol where they replace one valvetronic side and then if the ticking still happens the other (I think the sequence is inlet then outlet). Mine had both replaced and afterwards was buttery smooth with much more power until the day I traded her in. I am glad that I kept on BMW's case to sort this out.

The only issue with the work is that it then caused problems with the oxygen sensor which then had to be replaced, due they said to the carbon buildup from the malfunctioning valvetronic. So much for the issue being merely "cosmetic" as BMW has claimed on both occasions I have had this problem.

[howie4life]

I am also out of warranty but am really mad because I reported the problem while I was under warranty and the dealership said they couldn't reproduce the sound, which is crap. I let it slide at the time because it wasn't that loud and I didn't think it was a big deal. Boy, did they screw me. Wish there was some kind of legal action I could take.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by howie4life

I am also out of warranty but am really mad because I reported the problem while I was under warranty and the dealership said they couldn't reproduce the sound, which is crap. I let it slide at the time because it wasn't that loud and I didn't think it was a big deal. Boy, did they screw me. Wish there was some kind of legal action I could take.

Call BMW NA since this is a well know issue and you did report it to the dealer. BMW is well aware that this has been happening on all early model N52 motors.

[howie4life]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Call BMW NA since this is a well know issue and you did report it to the dealer. BMW is well aware that this has been happening on all early model N52 motors.

I did call BMW NA, unfortunately the representative quickly told me that they can't do anything since I'm not out of warranty. SMH