2014 n55 engine clack/tap at 2000rpm (not injectors... I think)

Manual_Panda · 11-04-2023, 10:30 AM

Hello all! Considering the f2x platform is identical in the engine department, I hope it is ok to post here since this may be interesting/important for you guys. Plus, any Yanks can be envious about this forbidden fruit they can't have

I have a 2014 m135i n55 with around 80 000 miles / 127 000 km on the odo.

I've just done an oil and filter change, with Castrol Edge 5w-40 that is LL-01 rated.

I've noticed that if I keep the revs around 2000rpm, there is a distinct clacking sound coming from the exhaust/injectors side of the engine. It's also noticeable if I use the oil measurement feature on the car, which revs the engine to just over 1000rpm. It seems to be clacking once every 2 rpm.

It's not loud- I cannot hear it with the bonnet closed, but if i stick my phone (or my face) in the engine bay near the valve cover you can hear the clack. If I take the engine cover off, you can't really hear it over the injectors.

There is no sound at idle, and if I rev the engine to 3000 rpm or above then the sound also disappears. If i stab at the throttle and give it a rev then I also can't hear anything. The engine revs nicely and all that. Driving with the windows down I also don't hear anything from the driver's seat

Weirdly, it can come and go. I first noticed it when I first measured the oil after the change (where it read in the OK range) and after the engine is fully warmed up. It's also disappeared randomly, not linked to engine temperature or anything. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, though.

I've had an n52 with bad lifter tick, and this sounds different (especially since that was present throughout the rev range, and disappeared after the engine warmed up). I also understand that the Direct Injection injectors chatter, and I believe this is a distinct problem. I also think (and pray) that it's not a rod knock as it doesn't seem to come from underneath the car.

I think I might be letting my anxiety run wild with thoughts of rod bearing and Vanos failure taking out the whole engine, but ah well.

I've also recorded some videos to demonstrate:

1. Engine clack during oil measurement, ~1.1k rpm, right after oil change
https://youtube.com/shorts/BoBe_ph8qZg

2. Engine not clacking during oil measurement, ~1,1k rpm, about an hour's driving after the first video, fully warmed up engine
https://youtube.com/shorts/7MQ2L8fp14A

3. Engine clacking during oil measurement, ~1.1k rpm, fully warmed up engine on different day
https://youtube.com/shorts/M8Bg6zE8qSI

Most Noticable:
4. Engine at various RPMs, revs, oil measurement with NO Engine cover
https://youtube.com/shorts/A9msa0oEgKo

5. engine at 2k rpm, clacking most noticeable around 0:04-0:07 mark
https://youtube.com/shorts/u5qCih5DKPs

6. Engine revving
https://youtube.com/shorts/2k19SQG6qGc

Very grateful for any help, or if other people with an n55 could recreate the situations/clacking to ease my concerns

Thanks!

11-04-2023, 10:30 AM	#1
Manual_Panda Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW m135i Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	2014 n55 engine clack/tap at 2000rpm (not injectors... I think) Hello all! Considering the f2x platform is identical in the engine department, I hope it is ok to post here since this may be interesting/important for you guys. Plus, any Yanks can be envious about this forbidden fruit they can't have I have a 2014 m135i n55 with around 80 000 miles / 127 000 km on the odo. I've just done an oil and filter change, with Castrol Edge 5w-40 that is LL-01 rated. I've noticed that if I keep the revs around 2000rpm, there is a distinct clacking sound coming from the exhaust/injectors side of the engine. It's also noticeable if I use the oil measurement feature on the car, which revs the engine to just over 1000rpm. It seems to be clacking once every 2 rpm. It's not loud- I cannot hear it with the bonnet closed, but if i stick my phone (or my face) in the engine bay near the valve cover you can hear the clack. If I take the engine cover off, you can't really hear it over the injectors. There is no sound at idle, and if I rev the engine to 3000 rpm or above then the sound also disappears. If i stab at the throttle and give it a rev then I also can't hear anything. The engine revs nicely and all that. Driving with the windows down I also don't hear anything from the driver's seat Weirdly, it can come and go. I first noticed it when I first measured the oil after the change (where it read in the OK range) and after the engine is fully warmed up. It's also disappeared randomly, not linked to engine temperature or anything. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, though. I've had an n52 with bad lifter tick, and this sounds different (especially since that was present throughout the rev range, and disappeared after the engine warmed up). I also understand that the Direct Injection injectors chatter, and I believe this is a distinct problem. I also think (and pray) that it's not a rod knock as it doesn't seem to come from underneath the car. I think I might be letting my anxiety run wild with thoughts of rod bearing and Vanos failure taking out the whole engine, but ah well. I've also recorded some videos to demonstrate: 1. Engine clack during oil measurement, ~1.1k rpm, right after oil change https://youtube.com/shorts/BoBe_ph8qZg 2. Engine not clacking during oil measurement, ~1,1k rpm, about an hour's driving after the first video, fully warmed up engine https://youtube.com/shorts/7MQ2L8fp14A 3. Engine clacking during oil measurement, ~1.1k rpm, fully warmed up engine on different day https://youtube.com/shorts/M8Bg6zE8qSI Most Noticable: 4. Engine at various RPMs, revs, oil measurement with NO Engine cover https://youtube.com/shorts/A9msa0oEgKo 5. engine at 2k rpm, clacking most noticeable around 0:04-0:07 mark https://youtube.com/shorts/u5qCih5DKPs 6. Engine revving https://youtube.com/shorts/2k19SQG6qGc Very grateful for any help, or if other people with an n55 could recreate the situations/clacking to ease my concerns Thanks!
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