Engine loud ticking

coolguycye · 03-18-2020, 04:18 PM

I've owned 2 BMWs (135i with N54 engine and 335xi with N54 engine). I just bought my 2016 M235i and didn't notice when test driving but the engine ticking noise is really loud. I've seen some threads say that is normal but check out my video as I've never had a BWM this loud.

What do you think it is? Anything I can do?

overcoil · 03-19-2020, 04:14 AM

It’s hard to gauge the loudness frm the audio but the direct injection fuel injectors do sing louder.

U may want to pop off the top plastic engine cover to make sure the foam insulation is affixed underneath.

Just a guess

cooolone2 · 03-19-2020, 06:08 AM

What's the mileage? Maintenance history? Wanna bet 10k mile oil changes? Just a guess...

Sounds like lifters...

Go to harbor friend and get a stethoscope and put it on intake, heads, and block... It'll tell you exactly where the noise is from and go from there!

Can do an oil change with some engine (internal) flush that you put in and run for 20 mins or so before dropping the oil. Then replace oil and filter. I suggest after 500 miles dropping oil and filter again. Of course this is just throwing new oil at the sound and may be totally unrelated. But with new (used) car purchases, isn't going to hurt anything except your pocket a little.

Can't see the inectors being so loud, or at least changing their tune, lol.

Good Luck

khj24 · 03-19-2020, 10:34 AM

Injectors are very loud, but this is excessive imo

coolguycye · 03-19-2020, 09:16 PM

So I found this and it does NOT work on N55 engines. Waste of time.

So being I just bought it I'm going to do an oil change first. Then I will look into the lifters.

Does anyone have a good video on how to change lifters?

abcfgh · 03-26-2020, 08:47 PM

Yeah that's definitely not normal. Wonder if you could have an exhaust leak?

abcfgh · 03-26-2020, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khj24

Injectors are very loud, but this is excessive imo

Yep, the injectors can be pretty loud, but this is definitely not from that. Also, sometimes the belt tensioners can be noisy too. Alternator can make a noise as well, but that's more of a whine.

XutvJet · 03-27-2020, 05:51 PM

Definitely not the injectors. Very likely a bad lifter or an issue with the Valvetronic eccentric shaft actuator/system.

XutvJet · 03-27-2020, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguycye

Does anyone have a good video on how to change lifters?

Very difficult to change the lifters on the N55 due to the highly complex valve train system. It's most certainly something left up to someone that is/was a BMW tech. It also requires a few special tools to control/manage spring tension.

In normal operation, the N55 doesn't rely on a throttle body to manage incoming air. It's uses valve timing as the throttle management.

abcfgh · 03-27-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Definitely not the injectors. Very likely a bad lifter or an issue with the Valvetronic eccentric shaft actuator/system.

Yikes

The_otherM235i · 04-09-2020, 01:12 PM

This sounds like some bad lifters, Injectors are loud but they're more of a ticking than a thudding. I'd get this checked out ASAP and don't drive the car like this. Doesn't sound like rod knock but this is for sure something internal.

Budi · 04-09-2020, 03:54 PM

I had a similar noise with my E39 540, does it get faster as the rpms rise?

K8_M235i · 04-09-2020, 04:42 PM

How many miles on the car? Spun rod bearings can sound like that.

I would do an oil analysis.

Fudz · 04-09-2020, 04:48 PM

Does the belt tensioner move whilst the engine is idling?, it's at the front of the engine so easy to spot

coolguycye · 04-09-2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fedisrico

I had a similar noise with my E39 540, does it get faster as the rpms rise?

When the rpms go up the knock/ticking goes away. Or at least I can't hear it.

coolguycye · 04-09-2020, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

How many miles on the car? Spun rod bearings can sound like that.

I would do an oil analysis.

Oil analysis?
What would it do? Just let me know if there are metal deposits or any other debris. Not sure what that would have to do with it.

coolguycye · 04-09-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fudz

Does the belt tensioner move whilst the engine is idling?, it's at the front of the engine so easy to spot

No. Everything is fine it looks like.

K8_M235i · 04-09-2020, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguycye

Quote:

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

How many miles on the car? Spun rod bearings can sound like that.

I would do an oil analysis.

Oil analysis?
What would it do? Just let me know if there are metal deposits or any other debris. Not sure what that would have to do with it.

An oil analysis would show you particulates in a figure like parts per million. Black stone labs would know the normal amounts given what oil you are using and the engine.

If there is a spike in a mineral like lead it would point to bearings or another engine component that has lead in it.

Oil analysis's are best to use over time because you can see increase of minerals to know whether or not the figures are normal.

The_otherM235i · 04-10-2020, 07:14 PM

I still think it's a lifter problem, no way that's a injector tick....rod knock would get louder with RPM.

cooolone2 · 04-10-2020, 08:56 PM

Again... A stethoscope, or the old screwdriver to the ear trick will locate the tick and you can go from there... No joke! It works. Stop guessing! Harbor Freight is like $12...

coolguycye · 04-22-2020, 02:26 PM

So I took it in and they are saying it is Brake Vacuum Pump making the noise. Does that sound right to anyone?

$2,000 would be the fix they say. Par for the BMW course.

The_otherM235i · 04-23-2020, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguycye

so i took it in and they are saying it is brake vacuum pump making the noise. Does that sound right to anyone?

$2,000 would be the fix they say. Par for the bmw course.

🧐🤨😕

03-18-2020, 04:18 PM	#1
coolguycye New Member 6 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: salt lake city, ut iTrader: (0)	Engine loud ticking I've owned 2 BMWs (135i with N54 engine and 335xi with N54 engine). I just bought my 2016 M235i and didn't notice when test driving but the engine ticking noise is really loud. I've seen some threads say that is normal but check out my video as I've never had a BWM this loud. What do you think it is? Anything I can do? __________________ Cyle with a "C" My ride: 2016 M235i. Black w/ Black Extras:
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03-19-2020, 04:14 AM	#2
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	It’s hard to gauge the loudness frm the audio but the direct injection fuel injectors do sing louder. U may want to pop off the top plastic engine cover to make sure the foam insulation is affixed underneath. Just a guess
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03-19-2020, 06:08 AM	#3
cooolone2 Captain 625 Rep 706 Posts Drives: 20' M240iX B58, 01' 330XI E46 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NY, USA iTrader: (0)	What's the mileage? Maintenance history? Wanna bet 10k mile oil changes? Just a guess... Sounds like lifters... Go to harbor friend and get a stethoscope and put it on intake, heads, and block... It'll tell you exactly where the noise is from and go from there! Can do an oil change with some engine (internal) flush that you put in and run for 20 mins or so before dropping the oil. Then replace oil and filter. I suggest after 500 miles dropping oil and filter again. Of course this is just throwing new oil at the sound and may be totally unrelated. But with new (used) car purchases, isn't going to hurt anything except your pocket a little. Can't see the inectors being so loud, or at least changing their tune, lol. Good Luck
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03-19-2020, 10:34 AM	#4
khj24 Lieutenant 221 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 2015 m235i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: 713 iTrader: (3)	Injectors are very loud, but this is excessive imo
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03-19-2020, 09:16 PM	#5
coolguycye New Member 6 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: salt lake city, ut iTrader: (0)	So I found this and it does NOT work on N55 engines. Waste of time. So being I just bought it I'm going to do an oil change first. Then I will look into the lifters. Does anyone have a good video on how to change lifters? __________________ Cyle with a "C" My ride: 2016 M235i. Black w/ Black Extras:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-26-2020, 08:47 PM	#6
abcfgh Private 25 Rep 68 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Yeah that's definitely not normal. Wonder if you could have an exhaust leak?
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03-27-2020, 05:51 PM	#8
XutvJet Major General 5551 Rep 5,369 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	Definitely not the injectors. Very likely a bad lifter or an issue with the Valvetronic eccentric shaft actuator/system. __________________ The forest was shrinking, but the Trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.
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04-09-2020, 01:12 PM	#11
The_otherM235i Driver - Autocross 74 Rep 178 Posts Drives: BMW M235i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	This sounds like some bad lifters, Injectors are loud but they're more of a ticking than a thudding. I'd get this checked out ASAP and don't drive the car like this. Doesn't sound like rod knock but this is for sure something internal.
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04-09-2020, 03:54 PM	#12
Budi New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2007 Bmw 335is Join Date: May 2019 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I had a similar noise with my E39 540, does it get faster as the rpms rise?
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04-09-2020, 04:42 PM	#13
K8_M235i Captain 477 Rep 599 Posts Drives: CM E36 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Boston, Ma iTrader: (0)	How many miles on the car? Spun rod bearings can sound like that. I would do an oil analysis. __________________ 2015 F80 M3 DCT, Carbon Roof 1998 S54 E36 M3 BMWCCA Club Racing #532 CM 1995 E36 M3 Sunbelt S52
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04-09-2020, 04:48 PM	#14
Fudz Private 25 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2015 435I 8speed Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Does the belt tensioner move whilst the engine is idling?, it's at the front of the engine so easy to spot
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04-10-2020, 07:14 PM	#19
The_otherM235i Driver - Autocross 74 Rep 178 Posts Drives: BMW M235i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	I still think it's a lifter problem, no way that's a injector tick....rod knock would get louder with RPM. __________________ 16 M235xi 8ZF Black on Red FBO: Xhp trans tune -BMS Intake - VRSF Catless DownPipe - VRSF CP - VRSF Muffler delete/resonator - n22 plugs - MHD stage 2+ 95map - Wagner EVO II Preformace IC - Rear seat delete - weight reduction/stripping -FTP 18.5in rims - Hawk HPS front pads - StopTech STR 660 fluid
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04-10-2020, 08:56 PM	#20
cooolone2 Captain 625 Rep 706 Posts Drives: 20' M240iX B58, 01' 330XI E46 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NY, USA iTrader: (0)	Again... A stethoscope, or the old screwdriver to the ear trick will locate the tick and you can go from there... No joke! It works. Stop guessing! Harbor Freight is like $12...
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04-22-2020, 02:26 PM	#21
coolguycye New Member 6 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: salt lake city, ut iTrader: (0)	So I took it in and they are saying it is Brake Vacuum Pump making the noise. Does that sound right to anyone? $2,000 would be the fix they say. Par for the BMW course. __________________ Cyle with a "C" My ride: 2016 M235i. Black w/ Black Extras:
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