[Ferg]

Just had the bleeding procedure done last week. No ticking yet, but I'm expecting it. Dealer here seems to be willing to change out the head if problem persists.

[sieben1973]

have the same problem
dealer did the bleeding procedure
this is what my statement said
As per PUMA MEASURE #9732833-13
Performed HVA elements bleeding procedure to remove and trapped air in oil system
perform 5 cycles due to noise still being present
No demage to engine is possible due to this ussue
Can also be remedied by adopting a more forced driving profile and driving longer distances
But please monitor

Ticking still there will takeing back in in few weeks
BTW the ticking goes away if i drive only in DS mode

[Viper3812]

Originally Posted by sieben1973

have the same problem
dealer did the bleeding procedure
this is what my statement said
As per PUMA MEASURE #9732833-13
Performed HVA elements bleeding procedure to remove and trapped air in oil system
perform 5 cycles due to noise still being present
No demage to engine is possible due to this ussue
Can also be remedied by adopting a more forced driving profile and driving longer distances
But please monitor

Ticking still there will takeing back in in few weeks
BTW the ticking goes away if i drive only in DS mode

Didn't see a new section so this will be my first post here on the forums. I'm a BMW tech in Florida. After reading a few of the posts in this thread it seems like some of your dealers are dumb or just cheap. We change at least 3 cylinder heads a day at our dealer. First time the car comes in we automatically do the bleeding procedure which is basically reving the engine at 3k rpms for about 15 mins. when the car comes back we submit the puma case and then go ahead and swap heads. Our parts department has a large inventory on N52 heads. The 5 cycle due to noise part you read on your report is the higher paying job for us so that's what mostly everyone's report will say.

[runnerx]

Just came back from my dealership today. the service adviser admit this is a known issue and he told me that new parts are needed if bleeding does not work.

[Viper3812]

Originally Posted by runnerx

Just came back from my dealership today. the service adviser admit this is a known issue and he told me that new parts are needed if bleeding does not work.

Make sure when he says new parts that it is a whole new head.

[z3toz4]

I am not too happy to be a part of this "ticking" club. LOL. I have found all of your comments and information very helpful while dealing with my SA and BMWNA. I too, after a PuMA case, they finally said to replace the cylinder head. My SA said they were not replacing lifters anymore for this problem, that it was not fixing the problem. The bleeding procedure seemed to make is worse. I was hopeful this had solved the problem but today I heard the ticking again! It was not nearly as loud as before, but it was still there. Does anyone have any ideas what else could be causing the ticking?

Parts they replaced to hopefully solve the ticking noise were:
(1) 11-12-7-591-617 N52 Cylinder head with valve
(1) 11-12-9-391-547 Set of Alu. screws F Cylinder
(3) 11-12-7-521-167 ASS-Stud Bolt
(2) 11-12-7-529-997 Torx Screw
(2) 11-36-7-524-954 Collar Screw
(2) 13-62-7-530-413 Torx screw
(6) 33-32-6-768-354 Hex screw with collar
(1) 11-12-7-555-757 Cylinder head gasket
(1) 11-12-7-548-921 Gasket set cylinder head
(1) 11-12-7-548-799 Bolt cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-409-288 set of alu. screws F Cylinder
(1) 82-14-1-467-704 Antifreeze
(7) 07-51-0-017-866 Motor oil SW30
(1) 11-42-7-566-327 Set oil-filter

Any thoughts on what else could possibly be causing this annoying and embarrasing tick?????

[Fortyb]

I don't know if this will help but i changed my oil from Castrol to Mobil 1 5-30and i have not heard the ticking for about 3weeks now. Maybe it's the Castrol they always use in the Bmw's

Originally Posted by z3toz4

I am not too happy to be a part of this "ticking" club. LOL. I have found all of your comments and information very helpful while dealing with my SA and BMWNA. I too, after a PuMA case, they finally said to replace the cylinder head. My SA said they were not replacing lifters anymore for this problem, that it was not fixing the problem. The bleeding procedure seemed to make is worse. I was hopeful this had solved the problem but today I heard the ticking again! It was not nearly as loud as before, but it was still there. Does anyone have any ideas what else could be causing the ticking?

Parts they replaced to hopefully solve the ticking noise were:
(1) 11-12-7-591-617 N52 Cylinder head with valve
(1) 11-12-9-391-547 Set of Alu. screws F Cylinder
(3) 11-12-7-521-167 ASS-Stud Bolt
(2) 11-12-7-529-997 Torx Screw
(2) 11-36-7-524-954 Collar Screw
(2) 13-62-7-530-413 Torx screw
(6) 33-32-6-768-354 Hex screw with collar
(1) 11-12-7-555-757 Cylinder head gasket
(1) 11-12-7-548-921 Gasket set cylinder head
(1) 11-12-7-548-799 Bolt cylinder head
(1) 11-12-0-409-288 set of alu. screws F Cylinder
(1) 82-14-1-467-704 Antifreeze
(7) 07-51-0-017-866 Motor oil SW30
(1) 11-42-7-566-327 Set oil-filter

Any thoughts on what else could possibly be causing this annoying and embarrasing tick?????

[z3toz4]

Fortyb,

Thanks for the tip! I will try it and give it a shot. Anything to get rid of the ticking.

[Viper3812]

Originally Posted by z3toz4

Any thoughts on what else could possibly be causing this annoying and embarrasing tick?????

The new head has a check valve in it to keep enough oil up in the head seizing the tick sound.

[Bill06E90]

Ok, It's almost a year to the date since I had my PUMA case documented, not including two futile bleeding procedures, but the cylinder head is now replaced. The list of replacement parts looks similar to other posts. I'm happy to report there is no more ticking and dare I say it even feels smoother with a bit more grunt. Probably all in my head as I'm not hesitating to wind-er out. Below the hood I noticed a new head gasket peaking out from a shinny new head (pics below). For all intense and purposes this is a blind recall, go through the process of having the bleeding procedure done, come back a 2nd time and have it done again only this time have a PUMA case submitted and then wait till your number is called.

[Socom]

Originally Posted by Viper3812

Didn't see a new section so this will be my first post here on the forums. I'm a BMW tech in Florida. After reading a few of the posts in this thread it seems like some of your dealers are dumb or just cheap. We change at least 3 cylinder heads a day at our dealer. First time the car comes in we automatically do the bleeding procedure which is basically reving the engine at 3k rpms for about 15 mins. when the car comes back we submit the puma case and then go ahead and swap heads. Our parts department has a large inventory on N52 heads. The 5 cycle due to noise part you read on your report is the higher paying job for us so that's what mostly everyone's report will say.

Uh..no we're not cheap, but BMWNA is cheap. I've complained about ticking 4 times and they have never fixed.

Infact I'll try again today. Well see.

[3rd3]

I decided to get rid of my 3rd 3 series and sold it back to BMW of NA. By the way their customer service team is anything but helpful.

BMW has huge exposure on this issue in forums and "on the street." I propose making them pay with a few lawsuits. IF the car goes in for repair three or more times and falls under your state's lemon law period for this "ticking problem," sue them. There are attorneys practicing lemon law in every state.

Also, I found the http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ site and filed a complaint. I am plain sick of BMW selling 3 series cars at a premium price to consumers and now failing to protect consumers from a cylinder head that they designed with errors. Notice the new head is the head that goes on the 2009. They know the bleed won't work. Do they not respect owner's time???

BMW Problem ... Engine Ticking, Noise, BMW lawsuit ... Hope anyone googling finds this thread.

[runnerx]

Originally Posted by runnerx

Just came back from my dealership today. the service adviser admit this is a known issue and he told me that new parts are needed if bleeding does not work.

got the head replaced, I too see the new gasket.. being driving it for more than two weeks already, so far no ticking. Engine feels definitely more smooth in the morning, I also believe it revs better (could be my brain is playing a trick on me).

I am happy with my dealership as I didn't have to go through any trouble at all to get new head. In fact, the service adviser was very honest and helpful. A lot better than Acura, we had to file group class action against Acura to get the tranny replaced with the same faulty tranny. Some ppl went through 4 trannies under warranty and final like me sold the dang car.

[BK]

Not all of us with the old cylinder head have ticking. My 330i is approaching 3 years old and has been super reliable. With my luck, though, mine will start ticking at mile 50,001.

[runnerx]

Originally Posted by BK

Not all of us with the old cylinder head have ticking. My 330i is approaching 3 years old and has been super reliable. With my luck, though, mine will start ticking at mile 50,001.

Yeah, it ticks only if you drive short distance. My commute to work is about 1 miles one way, I have to turn off the engine before it is even nice and warm. For those who drive more miles, they probably don't have this ticking issue at all.

[pooskay]

i just got my cylinder heads replaced....no ticking (but it's only been a week).

[Seminole]

I only get it when it is cold outside. And I only hear it when I put the windows down, with them up I can't hear a thing. Yesterday I drove to Wendy's for some food (about 3/4 mile away) and heard it nice and loud in the drivethru lane. On the way back I put it in manumatic and revved it to 4k RPM and drove for a minute with it steady at 3K RPM. As soon as I pulled into my spot I put down the window and the ticking was gone.

Unless it gets a lot worse I don't think I'm going to bring it it. The last thing I want is someone taking apart engine components unless they really need to.

[shadowcoder]

I am not a mechanic but if it's a lubrication issue causing the noise, I don't see how BMW
is saying that there will be no damage to the engine. I bet down the mileage line, the
rocker arms, springs, lifters and esp the camshaft will be worn out. A new head plus those
at the point of failure, will run havoc on anyone's wallet.

On top of that they compound on the problem by not having a dip stick to accurately
measure the oil. This is bad. And I also have the ticking noise which can be clearly
heard with the hood open but almost inaudible with it closed.

PS: The E36 had this issue as well. I know cause I have one and I went
through the replacement of arms, springs, lifters and camshaft. But they never
admitted it. The mechanic just nodded his head with a smile when I said that
this is a design problem and not something I did given that every oil service was
done at BMW.

[Socom]

Originally Posted by runnerx

Yeah, it ticks only if you drive short distance. My commute to work is about 1 miles one way, I have to turn off the engine before it is even nice and warm. For those who drive more miles, they probably don't have this ticking issue at all.

Very true. It was very cold in February and I remember a fellow gym member asking my what was wrong with my car because it said it sounded like someone was tapping the engine block with a small hammer.

[T i h o r]

Is there anything detrimental to the engine with the ticking, or is it just annoying?

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by T i h o r

Is there anything detrimental to the engine with the ticking, or is it just annoying?

BMW claims there is no damage to the engine.

[shadowcoder]

Originally Posted by Seminole

BMW claims there is no damage to the engine.

Well lets think about this a bit, yes? If the lifters are ticking because
there's not enough oil up there, then that means poor lubrication.

We all know what poor lubrication means - lifters, springs, arms, cam
shaft will all wear out.

The average driver won't even notice it. Some, won't even keep the
car past 50K miles anyway. Those who will, may probably notice a slight
decrease in performance around 80-100K but they and the dealer will
attribute it to the miles already in the car. Those who will definitely
notice will be those who see their car not pulling at high speeds.

BMW will simply say that it's bad lubrication and it was the owner's
fault. Bad thing for them is that if the car has never thrown a code
for low oil and all maintenance regarding the engine has been done
to the dealer, then warranty or no warranty, they will be liable because
the cause would have been poor lubrication due to a bad design. Not
tear and wear.

As such, if there is damage at least to my engine, they're gonna be
paying for the cost of the repairs.

But I am upset at the attitude they have (BMW & dealers) regarding
the ticking and the customer complain when they know this isn't
normal. I don't want my car to sustain that kind of damage. It will
be my E36 nightmare all over again.