[carlos916]

Originally Posted by jimmydever

bump for my question...

hey check out the first post on page 1 and the ticking is an issue its the lifters.. I just had mines replaced but like I said and even my SA said ins be back soon for the ticking again.. So it is an issue

also check out this link and read the video description you can tell the ticking can't be just something that's annoying lol it actually sounds really bad

but yeah keep an eye out for it and hopefully ur under warranty and you can get it fixed

[Olneyjeeps]

Originally Posted by jimmydever

bump for my question...

I can hardly believe this.... sorry for guy that spent $$$ on having head replaced.

"Ticking" is oil chamber in lifter expanding and releasing due to oil being heated.
Hydrolic pressure is incredible (why is used for jacks, brakes, etc)... small expansion = great force.
Your lifters have small chamber that acts as cushion for impact

for videos / further explanation, go to http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showt...d=1#post723094

[Z4owner]

We took our Z4 2008 30,000 miles to BMW dealer last week (Montreal) and they listened to the knocking noise. It was loud. They changed the lifters. Told us that this would fix the problem. We let them know we had done our research and are aware of the cylinder head fix. They told us we would cross that bridge if we got to it. I guess BMW will be glad when the warranty runs out on all these cars!

[DL]

Originally Posted by jimmydever

I DO NOT have the issue and have a 2006 330i 6MT with 71k miles. Curious if this ticking issue is actually a problem or more of annoyance. Will it eventually lead to some sort of failure or is it just a horrible sound people dont want to deal with, but in reality the car is running fine? I dont have time to read through 90 pages on this just curious if someone can let me know. Thanks guys.

Another member went through the whole thread some time back. A good summary IMHO, take from it what you choose. Link below.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...postcount=1310

Originally Posted by Z4owner

We took our Z4 2008 30,000 miles to BMW dealer last week (Montreal) and they listened to the knocking noise. It was loud. They changed the lifters. Told us that this would fix the problem. We let them know we had done our research and are aware of the cylinder head fix. They told us we would cross that bridge if we got to it. I guess BMW will be glad when the warranty runs out on all these cars!

You just have to go through the process. As I own and not lease going through the process was well worth it for me, and 100% paid for by BMW. Although, I think BMW should have paid me for my time too.

[Z4owner]

DL your posts have been most helpful and informative in helping us navigate this N52 engine issue. Thank you so much!

[JIM E92]

Lifters were changed today. Last time they changed the cylinder head. Hopefully this will put the issue to bed. Thank god for CPO. Only cost me $50.

[RupertPupkin]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess to clarify my actual question:

IS this actually damaging something or an actual "problem" where eventually something will catastrophically fail, or is this just a gross sound that people do not want in there $40+K vehicle?

Basically yes im sure it sounds bad, but if you were to just let it go and live with the ticking is something being damaged or does no one really know for sure?

Thanks

[KrisM]

Those are some great diagrams! Any update on your issue?

[ctuna]

How could this not be damaging or cause premature failure?

[RupertPupkin]

Originally Posted by ctuna

How could this not be damaging or cause premature failure?

I had a Ford diesel truck and the injectors were hydraulic actuated and sounded like this. this was their normal sound. Wondering if this is just the sound the original lifters make and it wasnt discovered until many miles were on the engine.

[Route 16]

I've had my '07 328i for 2 months now and before opening this thread for the first time, reading page 1 and the last 2 pages of this post, I thought the ticking was a normal hiccup as a cold engine start. I'm at 45,000miles, past my 4 years new car warranty but I still have my CPO and maintenance until late 2013. With the link provided by DL, I am definitely going to make sure if my parts need to be improved or not. I've read into this thread for 5 minutes, what else have I missed other than checking to fit new parts or anything specific to tell my service advisor on this issue? I know but I'd rather read right now info than start from page 1 to page 91 in one night.

[DL]

Originally Posted by yoko kai

I've had my '07 328i for 2 months now and before opening this thread for the first time, reading page 1 and the last 2 pages of this post, I thought the ticking was a normal hiccup as a cold engine start. I'm at 45,000miles, past my 4 years new car warranty but I still have my CPO and maintenance until late 2013. With the link provided by DL, I am definitely going to make sure if my parts need to be improved or not. I've read into this thread for 5 minutes, what else have I missed other than checking to fit new parts or anything specific to tell my service advisor on this issue? I know but I'd rather read right now info than start from page 1 to page 91 in one night.

If you read the last two pages you should have a decent amount of information about the problem.

Hopeful, you have a decent service dept.

Below is a good link though a bit dated as BMW does not do the bleed down procedure anymore. The improved lifters is the first step. BMW will always hope this will be the final fix as it does not want to pay to have the head changed. Remember the service dept. is stuck in the middle between you and BMW.

http://blog.bavauto.com/926/bmw-n52-...-tappet-noise/

[everlast]

I have read this thread pretty carefully and would like to thank everyone who contributed. Here's my contribution!

There is a new service bulletin that specifies to replace the exhaust side lifters with the new design, and to replace the cam followers (rockers) with new ones as well. Apparently this is the first time my dealer has done this new SB with the rockers included. I asked for a copy of the SB and the foreman smiled and shook his head. He knew I had read up on this extensively online, and I don't think he wanted me to leak it to the interwebz.

This came about after I left the car with them. I heard the noise on start up last week. They replicated it yesterday and are replacing all the lifters and rockers under warranty. This is a 04/08 production E91 328xi.

edit: this diagram helped me visualize the components. I was very familiar with an E30 head; this bridged the gap.

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/10/22/54

[DL]

Originally Posted by everlast

I have read this thread pretty carefully and would like to thank everyone who contributed. Here's my contribution!

There is a new service bulletin that specifies to replace the exhaust side lifters with the new design, and to replace the cam followers (rockers) with new ones as well. Apparently this is the first time my dealer has done this new SB with the rockers included. I asked for a copy of the SB and the foreman smiled and shook his head. He knew I had read up on this extensively online, and I don't think he wanted me to leak it to the interwebz.

This came about after I left the car with them. I heard the noise on start up last week. They replicated it yesterday and are replacing all the lifters and rockers under warranty. This is a 04/08 production E91 328xi.

edit: this diagram helped me visualize the components. I was very familiar with an E30 head; this bridged the gap.

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/10/22/54

That is very very interesting as this is a new development. Since the SA would not give you the TSB, I think it would be a great help if you posted your invoice with the work done with the personal info. deleted. I am wondering if BMW found worn rocker issues that is not normal, and added that to the TSB.

I am hopeful someone can get the latest TSB for those with the problem and post it on this thread.

BTW I still am problem free with the new head.

Good luck going forward.

[mcanarelli]

'11 335 and I have a little ticking/rattle. Not always there, only when cold.

[Helmsdini]

Just want to add my car to the list, 2008 328i coupe. I bought it last month used with 26k on it. If I drove it across town after sitting for a while and got out, this is what it sounded like (taken with my phone):

My BMW dealer was phenomenal in handling it. The records showed that the bleed down procedure had already been done, so they put in new lifters and kept it for a few days to make sure it didn't need a head... So far the lifters seem to have worked for me.

[ccraig13]

I took my '07 328xi E92 in this past Friday and they're replacing the cylinder head ( Had the lifters done in the spring ). Daniels gives you a loaner if you request one, so I've been driving a '11 328i E90 all weekend! Not sure when my car will be done, but I don't mind since I have the loaner

[Clint]

Mine is an E92 08 328xi and I've experienced the ticking intermittently for the past 6 months. I finally got around to looking for any others with the same issue. Bingo!

Next time it happens, I'm off to the dealer for service. Thanks everyone for the information.

[moar]

Can we confirm that the ticking gets faster/louder as the revs increase?

I have this light tick on idle, if I push the accelerator the ticking goes away completely..

[DL]

Originally Posted by moar

Can we confirm that the ticking gets faster/louder as the revs increase?

I have this light tick on idle, if I push the accelerator the ticking goes away completely..

moar, if you listen to Helmsdini's video a few posts up it should answer your question on the revs.

[carlos916]

My ticking is back.. I was expecting it so I'm going to give my SA a call later today to schedule an apt to drop it off let's see what they do now.. Last time they replaced the lifters

[Str8eye]

Originally Posted by carlos916

My ticking is back.. I was expecting it so I'm going to give my SA a call later today to schedule an apt to drop it off let's see what they do now.. Last time they replaced the lifters

Yea I have the same problem too.. I had the lifter replaced a month ago and the lifer noise is back.. gonna call my service agent back again on monday.