[rossmatt06]

I've noticed a ticking noise coming from the drivers side area of my engine compartment. The noise sounds like a solenoid clicking at a set period of 1 to 2 seconds apart. It is only noticeable at idle and happens at any temp. It does not sound like valvetrain or injectors. Here is a link to the youtube video I made of it. I've seen similar videos and done searches but haven't found anything other than "it's normal" or it's the injectors". What are your thoughts?

The engine seems to be running fine and there were no engine codes thrown.

[roadcarver]

I am no mechanic, but I do not believe that is normal. Hopefully it is nothing major. I have a 08 328 coupe and it does not do this. There are a lot of knowlegable people on this forum. Hopefully someone here will be able to help you get an idea of what it may be before you take it to a shop.

[JoeyBananaz18]

I think it's been decided that this noise is from the lifters.

[rossmatt06]

Thanks for the replies. Wouldn't the noise vary with RPM if it was the lifters? This noise remains at a constant 1 to 2 second interval regardless of rpm and goes away after 1000 rpm.

[roadcarver]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

I think it's been decided that this noise is from the lifters.

That does not sound like lifter noise, it would vary with rpm. The time between the tick is too long.

[marinerd]

I have this exact noise. Doesn't seem like lifters to me. Not faster enough at all, and it goes away when I give it gas just like the OP. Drives me crazy when I'm idling though. Gonna revive this thread to try and get some more thoughts. Anyone??

[Asianoak]

I have the exact same noise on my 328.... But not on my Z4. Both have the N52 and both have had the lifters replaced. Really curious if anybody can identify it... Drives me nuts.

[Meeni]

does not sound like lifters or something mechanical. Check the accessory belt for a notch or damage ? Maybe DISA units are misbehaving ? Unusual. Does it stop if you turn the AC off (compressor low on fluid can do some rythmic noise, although it sounds worst than that usually).

[OnlyDriveGerman]

I have the same sounds, motor runs great. I test drove 9 n52's before I bought mine. They all had it. I'd like to know what it is though. Let's see some answers

[thecooltype]

Vanos might need replacing.... low supply of oil to the vanos will have it ticking and idle hard

[marinerd]

Originally Posted by thecooltype

Vanos might need replacing.... low supply of oil to the vanos will have it ticking and idle hard

Hmmm, this response intrigues me. I also have a weird rough idle at cold start up that goes away after about a minute or two. What's the damage on another vanos unit?

Are we talking about the Vanos solenoids? How can those make that tick? Or is it something else entirely?

[Asianoak]

My e92 only has 48k miles on it... I just cleaned both Vanos solenoids. Not saying that Vanos failure or disa is out of the question but I'm having a hard time believing it. Especially considering the guy that test drove nine vehicles all of which had the tick. Any other ideas? The bad pulley seemed more feasible although I'd think the ticking would be more rapid than what we're hearing.

[marinerd]

Yeah I'm just over 80k. Is there even anything in the solenoids that would cause a noise like that? I just don't see it. Plus it seems to be coming from lower in the engine, even transmission. I've read in two different places where it has something to do when your transmission is in P or N at idle. I haven't tested this theory yet. I can't remember if I've heard it after I switch to D before taking off. I'll check today.

[Asianoak]

That could be a good theory. Maybe it's only on automatics? My Z4 is a manual and doesn't make the noise... Instead I get clutch chatter

Maybe it has to do with the torque converter decoupling. Seem to remember reading about the E90s doing that and that is one of the reasons for the jolt when coming to a stop. Maybe that causes a tick too.

[Aashenfox]

Its a bomb! Run!!11!

[marinerd]

Ok, I've figured it out.....well sorta. Yesterday I went ahead and cleaned my Vanos Soleniods(which btw be careful you don't drop on of the screw holding them in place cause you'll end up ripping appart all the plastic crap under car only to find out it fell into the radiator electric fan, RGGRRGGGH!!) which did nothing to the sound.

So I decided to try and figure out exactly when it was happening. It ONLY ticks like the video in the OP when the car is in PARK and in NEUTRAL WHILE idling, NOT if your revving it. In DRIVE and REVERSE it does not. What's interesting as well is when you get into on of the gears that is doesn't tick then back into either PARK or NEUTRAL it's quiet for about 3-5 seconds then starts again. So, I'd say its definitely something in the transmission, thus maybe why no codes are thrown. Anyone have any idea what it would be?

[Asianoak]

I was thinking about this thread over the weekend and did a couple tests.

First I checked my buddy's wife's car to see if it made the same sound. Not positive of the year but it's an lci e90 with either the N51 or N52 and automatic. It was late at night and cold out so didn't take too much time to poke around but started the car in park and no ticking sound at all. Let it warm up and still no ticking.

Second since id gone out of town for the weekend and this was my first extended drive with the new to me car I figured I'd check for the ticking a few times while driving out of town and then on the way back. Each time the car was in park or neutral. Low and behold no more ticking on the drive back home. So three hour drive there and three hours back, most of the time cruise was set around 60-65 but did take it up to 80-90 a few times to pass.

So maybe the car just needed an old fashioned Italian tune up? All the city driving wasn't enough to keep her happy. I'm curious to see if it comes back tomorrow or after a few days of stop and go driving.

[Alihbaloch]

Does it go away after the car is warmed up?
Is it only there for certain amount of time?
Like only on cold start?
Only after you get done pushing it?

[Asianoak]

Originally Posted by Alihbaloch

Does it go away after the car is warmed up?
Is it only there for certain amount of time?
Like only on cold start?
Only after you get done pushing it?

Well I can't speak for others but in my case it normally is there under all conditions, warm or cold starts, after being driven for a bit or not.

Only two things I haven't tried is whether or not it makes the sound while idling in D and not in P and N... And of course as I mentioned the sound went away after my out of town trip over the weekend. About to go to work in a couple hours so I'll know then whether or not it starts making the sound again.

[marinerd]

Originally Posted by Alihbaloch

Does it go away after the car is warmed up?
Is it only there for certain amount of time?
Like only on cold start?
Only after you get done pushing it?

Mine is always there, but ONLY while idling in PARK or NEUTRAL. Haven't made any long trips recently so can't comment on that.

[Alihbaloch]

i have a ticking noise that i notice every time i park somewhere, i have had people tell me my engine is knocking, so i took it to BMW dealership and they said its normal.

they said its some valve that just opens and close or something like that. so mine is normal.
it is loud when i start the car, it goes away after 45 seconds. but then comes back randomly.

[Bimmertech113]

It's a solenoid inside the transmission. It controls how much fluid goes to the trans cooler. Normal operation.