Ticking / Knocking Under Partial Throttle Load

MooreBoost · 12-05-2017, 04:36 PM

There is an audible ticking / knocking noise coming from my engine bay.

It only occurs when both of these circumstances apply:

Between approximately 1,500 and 2,500 RPM. Not above or below.
Between approximately 15% and 25% throttle. Not above or below.

Thus, it doesn't occur while cruising or at WOT, and I cannot replicate it by revving while the car is in park.

It drives great otherwise, and there are no codes.

Any thoughts?

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 12-05-2017, 09:33 PM

Most likely your tune needs work. You should be able to log the situation. If nothing seems amiss, do an oil analysis.

Chris

MooreBoost · 12-05-2017, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

Most likely your tune needs work. You should be able to log the situation. If nothing seems amiss, do an oil analysis.

Chris

I'll run a log and post it.

I just ordered a kit from Blackstone for the analysis.

Thanks for the help.

MooreBoost · 12-06-2017, 12:09 PM

Here's the log. The car was making the noise almost the whole time.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

https://datazap.me/u/mooreboost/log-...a=2-3-13-21-24

Sgop335 · 12-06-2017, 07:45 PM

Looks like your throttle is going crazy, barely opening and closing for no reason.Even rpms seem to fluctuate quite. These are only guesses at this point, but may be needs a classic throttle adaptation?

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 12-06-2017, 11:21 PM

Throttle isn't going to be perfect on a log like this. Try it again using cruise control if you can just to make sure I'm not missing anything but nothing looks bad. Could just be the noisy N54.

MooreBoost · 12-07-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

Throttle isn't going to be perfect on a log like this. Try it again using cruise control if you can just to make sure I'm not missing anything but nothing looks bad. Could just be the noisy N54.

I'll see what I can do. Thanks a million for your help.

My worst fear after searching the forum is a spun rod bearing.

Given that I've had this issue for weeks and probably two thousand miles, do you foresee that as a possibility? Also pulled the oil filter and didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

View post on imgur.com

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 12-08-2017, 09:16 AM

You're probably fine, when it's a rod bearing in general it isn't super subtle; you'll hear it on idle too. If you're worried it's bearings just do an oil analysis, if you see a bunch of lead, you have some bearing issues. If all looks pretty good, it's not likely at all bearings. These motors are noisy.

MooreBoost · 12-29-2017, 06:44 PM

Just wanted to report back that my BlackStone Labs report was excellent. As an aside, I highly recommend them.

Still need to diagnose the sound, though.

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 12-31-2017, 12:33 PM

Glad oil sample was good. Time to talk to a pro-tuner. These engines are noisy though, hard to tell through text if it's normal or abnormal... best to have someone experienced check it out in person.

Chris

007_e350 · 12-31-2017, 04:08 PM

I have the same thing, some forum suggested looking into the exhaust flap, I'll report back

MooreBoost · 01-23-2018, 06:54 PM

Any other suggestions?

Faredo · 01-24-2018, 08:33 AM

Bad fuel? coming across and a station that isn't selling true premium or just out right old fuel can sound like this. Like someone sprinkling BBs under your hood at low rpm medium/high loads aka "lugging"

MooreBoost · 01-24-2018, 08:38 AM

It's been going on for a few months now, regardless of where I fill up.

The sound is also louder than detonation.

dbronnik · 09-03-2018, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

It's been going on for a few months now, regardless of where I fill up.

The sound is also louder than detonation.

Did you resolve this?

MooreBoost · 09-03-2018, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbronnik

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

It's been going on for a few months now, regardless of where I fill up.

The sound is also louder than detonation.

Did you resolve this?

Yes, it was actually a loose injector. I had to replace it, but all is well now.

dbronnik · 09-03-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

Yes, it was actually a loose injector. I had to replace it, but all is well now.

Thanks for reply. I had same noise just start. Will check injectors!

MooreBoost · 09-04-2018, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbronnik

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

Yes, it was actually a loose injector. I had to replace it, but all is well now.

Thanks for reply. I had same noise just start. Will check injectors!

Good luck to you.

If it's not obvious enough, about half of my injector was visibly scorched.

dbronnik · 09-17-2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

Good luck to you.

If it's not obvious enough, about half of my injector was visibly scorched.

I was less lucky (rod knock). RIP N54

MooreBoost · 09-17-2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbronnik

I was less lucky (rod knock). RIP N54

I'm sorry to hear that.

What are you going to do?

Edit - Your car is beautiful and one of the more unique builds I've seen. I hope it works out.

dbronnik · 09-17-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBoost

I'm sorry to hear that.

What are you going to do?

Edit - Your car is beautiful and one of the more unique builds I've seen. I hope it works out.

Thanks -- deciding between a few options right now. It's probably between a built used N54 or finding a clean manual coupe to swap everything into.. There are surprisingly few low mileage manual N54 coupes for sale though :\ especially meeting all my criteria.

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 09-17-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbronnik

I was less lucky (rod knock). RIP N54

Built motor time!

12-05-2017, 04:36 PM	#1
MooreBoost Stand-up Philosopher 75 Rep 184 Posts Drives: '10 E90 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bradenton, Florida iTrader: (0)	Ticking / Knocking Under Partial Throttle Load There is an audible ticking / knocking noise coming from my engine bay. It only occurs when both of these circumstances apply: Between approximately 1,500 and 2,500 RPM. Not above or below. Between approximately 15% and 25% throttle. Not above or below. Thus, it doesn't occur while cruising or at WOT, and I cannot replicate it by revving while the car is in park. It drives great otherwise, and there are no codes. Any thoughts?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-05-2017, 09:33 PM	#2
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1932 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Most likely your tune needs work. You should be able to log the situation. If nothing seems amiss, do an oil analysis. Chris
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2017, 12:09 PM	#4
MooreBoost Stand-up Philosopher 75 Rep 184 Posts Drives: '10 E90 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bradenton, Florida iTrader: (0)	Here's the log. The car was making the noise almost the whole time. Any insight is greatly appreciated. https://datazap.me/u/mooreboost/log-...a=2-3-13-21-24
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2017, 07:45 PM	#5
Sgop335 Colonel 648 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 07 335i e92, 08 535i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Looks like your throttle is going crazy, barely opening and closing for no reason.Even rpms seem to fluctuate quite. These are only guesses at this point, but may be needs a classic throttle adaptation? __________________ 335i e92 TPC 19Ts
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2017, 11:21 PM	#6
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1932 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Throttle isn't going to be perfect on a log like this. Try it again using cruise control if you can just to make sure I'm not missing anything but nothing looks bad. Could just be the noisy N54.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2017, 09:16 AM	#8
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1932 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	You're probably fine, when it's a rod bearing in general it isn't super subtle; you'll hear it on idle too. If you're worried it's bearings just do an oil analysis, if you see a bunch of lead, you have some bearing issues. If all looks pretty good, it's not likely at all bearings. These motors are noisy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2017, 06:44 PM	#9
MooreBoost Stand-up Philosopher 75 Rep 184 Posts Drives: '10 E90 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bradenton, Florida iTrader: (0)	Just wanted to report back that my BlackStone Labs report was excellent. As an aside, I highly recommend them. Still need to diagnose the sound, though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-31-2017, 12:33 PM	#10
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1932 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Glad oil sample was good. Time to talk to a pro-tuner. These engines are noisy though, hard to tell through text if it's normal or abnormal... best to have someone experienced check it out in person. Chris
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-31-2017, 04:08 PM	#11
007_e350 Lieutenant Colonel 217 Rep 1,909 Posts Drives: 335i 2008 MHD'd / x5d E70 Join Date: May 2013 Location: left lane iTrader: (3)	I have the same thing, some forum suggested looking into the exhaust flap, I'll report back
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2018, 06:54 PM	#12
MooreBoost Stand-up Philosopher 75 Rep 184 Posts Drives: '10 E90 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bradenton, Florida iTrader: (0)	Any other suggestions?
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01-24-2018, 08:33 AM	#13
Faredo Lieutenant 312 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	Bad fuel? coming across and a station that isn't selling true premium or just out right old fuel can sound like this. Like someone sprinkling BBs under your hood at low rpm medium/high loads aka "lugging" __________________ Mods related to trouble shooting posts: Stock Turbos, MHD OTS V7 stage 2+ 93 oct, VRSF Downpipes, VRSF Relocated inlets, CTS Turbo 7" Intercooler, Tial BOV with upgraded line 5.56mm, index 12 injectors, A/T OEM Flash.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2018, 08:38 AM	#14
MooreBoost Stand-up Philosopher 75 Rep 184 Posts Drives: '10 E90 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bradenton, Florida iTrader: (0)	It's been going on for a few months now, regardless of where I fill up. The sound is also louder than detonation.
	Appreciate 0 Quote