N52 engine tick easy, cheap solution

porsche959 · 10-12-2018, 06:01 PM

So I have a 2006 325i with 100k miles, just bought it.

Came with a fairly loud lifter tick (sounds like a Diesel engine).

After reading countless posts (rev engine, spirited driving, need to replace lifters, replace head, new oil, sea foam, Lucas synthetic oil) - I tried new oil (agip 0w-40) seafoam in gas tank, 1.5 quartz of Lucas oil, 2 hour drives revving to redline - None which really helped with the noise.

I found a solution that worked for me. I replaced the oil with 1 quart of marvel mystery oil and 6 quarts of rotella t6. The ticking noise is 80% gone!

avocet · 10-12-2018, 07:22 PM

Been running t6 for awhile now. No tick since

cpie168 · 10-12-2018, 08:18 PM

Is that a permanent solution? Can you switch back to regular engine oil for the next oil change?

porsche959 · 10-12-2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

Is that a permanent solution? Can you switch back to regular engine oil for the next oil change?

Happy to test it - if someone were to donate 7 quartz of mobile 1

Next oil change I’m going to try 100% rotella t6 - no additives to see if it makes a difference.

cpie168 · 10-12-2018, 09:43 PM

Why is Rotella T6 at 5W-40 a better choice than the factory recommended 0W-40? Is that going to be bad for the engine comes winter time when the temperature dips below freezing?

porsche959 · 10-12-2018, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

Why is Rotella T6 at 5W-40 a better choice than the factory recommended 0W-40? Is that going to be bad for the engine comes winter time when the temperature dips below freezing?

Not sure. Walmart only carries 5w-40 t6, so I used that. Maybe some experts can chime in.

nsjames · 10-13-2018, 04:41 PM

the difference between 5w and 0w isn't going to matter unless you see extended winter temps below -20 F.
I used to run 15-40 year round in jeep 4 liters. They turn over a little slow at -5, but otherwise it's fine.

Not sure how I feel about using a mix that replaces 15% of the oil with marvel, as it wasn't designed for a modern motor in the slightest.
it's basically mineral oil and naptha. For sure it's not up to the task of long term use.

porsche959 · 10-13-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

the difference between 5w and 0w isn't going to matter unless you see extended winter temps below -20 F.
I used to run 15-40 year round in jeep 4 liters. They turn over a little slow at -5, but otherwise it's fine.

Not sure how I feel about using a mix that replaces 15% of the oil with marvel, as it wasn't designed for a modern motor in the slightest.
it's basically mineral oil and naptha. For sure it's not up to the task of long term use.

was desperate to get rid of the tick - willing to try anything.

planning to change oil at 5k miles so not in the car too long.

will probably do 100% rotella next change

nsjames · 10-13-2018, 09:17 PM

desperate to get rid of a lifter tick at the expense of your rod/main bearings?

porsche959 · 10-13-2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

desperate to get rid of a lifter tick at the expense of your rod/main bearings?

Proof? Little mmo never hurt anything

nsjames · 10-14-2018, 10:21 AM

do what you want, but recommending this as a fix for a noisy lifter when you've run it for a grand total of 12 hours and have no idea what the concoction you've created in the crankcase will do long term means that someone needs to point out the potential for terminal engine damage.

avocet · 10-14-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

do what you want, but recommending this as a fix for a noisy lifter when you've run it for a grand total of 12 hours and have no idea what the concoction you've created in the crankcase will do long term means that someone needs to point out the potential for terminal engine damage.

Seems like he is just reporting his findings for an issue that was bothering him. There is no recommendation, and if you don't want to do what he did then it is quite easy to not do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche959

I found a solution that worked for me.

I didn't use any additives, but have found T6 an excellent oil that has eliminated lifter tick in my engine.

porsche959 · 10-14-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

do what you want, but recommending this as a fix for a noisy lifter when you've run it for a grand total of 12 hours and have no idea what the concoction you've created in the crankcase will do long term means that someone needs to point out the potential for terminal engine damage.

I understand the concern but many people aren’t trying to drop a few thousand on what is now a cheap car.

Do you have an e90? And are you dealing with lifter tick?

Dont need to fix what’s not broken, I would not recommend this for a clean, well running engine, but for those of us dealing with lifter tick, I don’t mind throwing anything and everything (snake oil included) at the n52.

Easy to give generic $$$ solutions, use bmw approved oil, etc - but until you are dealing with shitty lifter tick, hard to ignore this $6 dollar fix imo

gT-BMW · 10-15-2018, 10:48 AM

i had no idea t6 was that good. i use it because its cheaper than Pennzoil and mobil 1

nsjames · 10-15-2018, 12:33 PM

you know, I had a well reasoned and detailed post illustrating why this may potentially be bad, but fuck it.

do what you want.

Everyone, pour mineral oil in your motor because it fixes lifter tick.

porsche959 · 10-15-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

you know, I had a well reasoned and detailed post illustrating why this may potentially be bad, but fuck it.

do what you want.

Everyone, pour mineral oil in your motor because it fixes lifter tick.

It would have been helpful if you shared that information...

nsjames · 10-15-2018, 01:08 PM

and it would be nice if you weren't a condescending prick asking if I even owned an e90 or knew what I was talking about.

I guess we can't all get what we want now can we?

porsche959 · 10-15-2018, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

and it would be nice if you weren't a condescending prick asking if I even owned an e90 or knew what I was talking about.

I guess we can't all get what we want now can we?

what?

I wasn't being condescending. I cant see your stats/profile on mobile - so I dont know what you are driving, or if you even have lifter tick.

If you are going to suggest potential engine damage from an additive, it would be helpful to provide some evidence (a forum post, etc anything).

If you are just sharing how you feel based on anecdotal info, thats not helpful at all and just detracts from the conversion.

RiderOTStorm · 10-15-2018, 04:21 PM

Shell rotella T-6 is an excellent oil. The Rotella line was designed for long haul diesel trucks and has been used for many years. The T6 formula is a full synthetic and I've used on my wifes honda for years and I even used on my Audi A8 and then S8 from time to time when M1 was too damn expensive.

I typically stay with the BMW rated oils because these are finicky beasts and are highly engineered.. ie pros and cons weighed seemingly for the benefit of performance and profitability over reliability.

The engines use a magnesium and aluminum bi-metallic (depending on where the component is located). Either the pistons or the cylinder bores us an Alusil process which does better with oil and ZDDP additives. This is why despite not being "qualified in the USA", the LL04 is a better oil. The diesel oils are exempt from ZDDP reduction/elimination.

BMW still uses wear prone gaskets to seal the Crank Case Valvecover, the oil housing filter and the oil pan... The OHF gasket is a $10 part and you can DIY.. The CCV and the oil pan are also <$25 parts, but i don't recommend DIY unless you know what you are doing and have 1 day to spare on the CCV gasket and > 10-hours of the OP Gasket. Its usually $800 per gasket for the CCV and OP at an indy shop. $1400 at the dealer.

Be careful with MMO it is a solvent and is designed to strip and clean oil deposits, which may not be a great thing with an aging gasket.

Typically the ticking is caused by insufficient oil pressure.. So either the Rotella T6 has a lower viscosity (you used 5W40..BMW recommends 5W30) and hences a higher pressure... or perhaps it has more ZDDP, which is a known lubricant. Since Rotella is a diesel rated oil.. it has ZDDP... or the lifter had sludge and deposit on them making them "sticky and ticky" and the MMO cleaned them up. Rislone is a known lifter cleaner.

In any event, my suggestion is to change the oil sooner than typical this time around and then go back to a BMW rated oil LL01 or LL04. My thought is that perhaps a good LL04 rated oil would in the same 5W40 would also reduce the ticking.

Also interestingly enough.. most people don't know that Shell is the vendor that makes BMW branded oils.

https://www.shell.com/business-custo...-supplier.html

Fritzer · 10-15-2018, 06:00 PM

Subbed if I ever need this in the future

125,xxx miles and no tick yet!

CTinline-six · 10-16-2018, 07:43 AM

My Jeep 4.0L had lifter tick when I bought it due to previous owner lack of maintenance. I also ran Rotella T6 and Marvel Mystery oil for one oil change. It helped free up and clean the lifters after some long highway drives. I've been running Pennzoil 10w30 for every oil change since. That was at 70k miles, and it has close to 200k on it now, so I doubt any damage was done. All of my used oil analysis came back with lower iron wear numbers than average.

CobraMarty · 10-18-2018, 07:17 AM

Rotella T6 is a great oil but it does have a lot of detergents.

Using Rotella T6 + MMO and your 'tick' is gone is great.

You can run this, T6 + MMO, until your next oil change.
Before your next oil change, add 1/2-1 quart of Auto Trans Fluid to the engine oil and run for 100 miles and then change your oil and filter. ATF is safe and also has a lot of detergents in it.

After all this, change your oil to Mobil 1 5-30 and you will be good to go.
Mobil 1 has better lubricating properties and less detergent than Rotella T6.

10-12-2018, 06:01 PM	#1
porsche959 Banned 471 Rep 996 Posts Drives: porsche Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	N52 engine tick easy, cheap solution - rotella t6 and marvel mystery oil So I have a 2006 325i with 100k miles, just bought it. Came with a fairly loud lifter tick (sounds like a Diesel engine). After reading countless posts (rev engine, spirited driving, need to replace lifters, replace head, new oil, sea foam, Lucas synthetic oil) - I tried new oil (agip 0w-40) seafoam in gas tank, 1.5 quartz of Lucas oil, 2 hour drives revving to redline - None which really helped with the noise. I found a solution that worked for me. I replaced the oil with 1 quart of marvel mystery oil and 6 quarts of rotella t6. The ticking noise is 80% gone!
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10-12-2018, 07:22 PM	#2
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	Been running t6 for awhile now. No tick since
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10-12-2018, 08:18 PM	#3
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	Is that a permanent solution? Can you switch back to regular engine oil for the next oil change?
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10-12-2018, 09:43 PM	#5
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	Why is Rotella T6 at 5W-40 a better choice than the factory recommended 0W-40? Is that going to be bad for the engine comes winter time when the temperature dips below freezing?
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10-13-2018, 04:41 PM	#7
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	the difference between 5w and 0w isn't going to matter unless you see extended winter temps below -20 F. I used to run 15-40 year round in jeep 4 liters. They turn over a little slow at -5, but otherwise it's fine. Not sure how I feel about using a mix that replaces 15% of the oil with marvel, as it wasn't designed for a modern motor in the slightest. it's basically mineral oil and naptha. For sure it's not up to the task of long term use.
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10-13-2018, 09:17 PM	#9
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	desperate to get rid of a lifter tick at the expense of your rod/main bearings?
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10-14-2018, 10:21 AM	#11
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	do what you want, but recommending this as a fix for a noisy lifter when you've run it for a grand total of 12 hours and have no idea what the concoction you've created in the crankcase will do long term means that someone needs to point out the potential for terminal engine damage.
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10-15-2018, 10:48 AM	#14
gT-BMW Lieutenant 203 Rep 437 Posts Drives: 06' 325i 6spd Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	i had no idea t6 was that good. i use it because its cheaper than Pennzoil and mobil 1
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10-15-2018, 12:33 PM	#15
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	you know, I had a well reasoned and detailed post illustrating why this may potentially be bad, but fuck it. do what you want. Everyone, pour mineral oil in your motor because it fixes lifter tick.
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10-15-2018, 01:08 PM	#17
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	and it would be nice if you weren't a condescending prick asking if I even owned an e90 or knew what I was talking about. I guess we can't all get what we want now can we?
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10-15-2018, 04:21 PM	#19
RiderOTStorm Enlisted Member 7 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 09 BMW 328xi Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: central MA iTrader: (0)	Shell rotella T-6 is an excellent oil. The Rotella line was designed for long haul diesel trucks and has been used for many years. The T6 formula is a full synthetic and I've used on my wifes honda for years and I even used on my Audi A8 and then S8 from time to time when M1 was too damn expensive. I typically stay with the BMW rated oils because these are finicky beasts and are highly engineered.. ie pros and cons weighed seemingly for the benefit of performance and profitability over reliability. The engines use a magnesium and aluminum bi-metallic (depending on where the component is located). Either the pistons or the cylinder bores us an Alusil process which does better with oil and ZDDP additives. This is why despite not being "qualified in the USA", the LL04 is a better oil. The diesel oils are exempt from ZDDP reduction/elimination. BMW still uses wear prone gaskets to seal the Crank Case Valvecover, the oil housing filter and the oil pan... The OHF gasket is a $10 part and you can DIY.. The CCV and the oil pan are also <$25 parts, but i don't recommend DIY unless you know what you are doing and have 1 day to spare on the CCV gasket and > 10-hours of the OP Gasket. Its usually $800 per gasket for the CCV and OP at an indy shop. $1400 at the dealer. Be careful with MMO it is a solvent and is designed to strip and clean oil deposits, which may not be a great thing with an aging gasket. Typically the ticking is caused by insufficient oil pressure.. So either the Rotella T6 has a lower viscosity (you used 5W40..BMW recommends 5W30) and hences a higher pressure... or perhaps it has more ZDDP, which is a known lubricant. Since Rotella is a diesel rated oil.. it has ZDDP... or the lifter had sludge and deposit on them making them "sticky and ticky" and the MMO cleaned them up. Rislone is a known lifter cleaner. In any event, my suggestion is to change the oil sooner than typical this time around and then go back to a BMW rated oil LL01 or LL04. My thought is that perhaps a good LL04 rated oil would in the same 5W40 would also reduce the ticking. Also interestingly enough.. most people don't know that Shell is the vendor that makes BMW branded oils. https://www.shell.com/business-custo...-supplier.html
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10-15-2018, 06:00 PM	#20
Fritzer No one sleep in Tokyo 945 Rep 1,507 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 328i//1995 E34 530i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: San Diego, California -> Austin, Texas iTrader: (3)	Subbed if I ever need this in the future 125,xxx miles and no tick yet! __________________ 2011 E90 328i, 1995 E34 530i, 1992 E32 740i, 1991 E34 525i
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10-16-2018, 07:43 AM	#21
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6818 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	My Jeep 4.0L had lifter tick when I bought it due to previous owner lack of maintenance. I also ran Rotella T6 and Marvel Mystery oil for one oil change. It helped free up and clean the lifters after some long highway drives. I've been running Pennzoil 10w30 for every oil change since. That was at 70k miles, and it has close to 200k on it now, so I doubt any damage was done. All of my used oil analysis came back with lower iron wear numbers than average. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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10-18-2018, 07:17 AM	#22
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	Rotella T6 is a great oil but it does have a lot of detergents. Using Rotella T6 + MMO and your 'tick' is gone is great. You can run this, T6 + MMO, until your next oil change. Before your next oil change, add 1/2-1 quart of Auto Trans Fluid to the engine oil and run for 100 miles and then change your oil and filter. ATF is safe and also has a lot of detergents in it. After all this, change your oil to Mobil 1 5-30 and you will be good to go. Mobil 1 has better lubricating properties and less detergent than Rotella T6.
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