[selapointe]

My wifes 2006 325 i has 3000 miles on it. the ticking noise started as soon as we bought it.Since i am an epierinced engine builder i thought it sounded like an engine lifter. Called the dealer and they said all the 3 series make that noise and that is normal its the block the way they made it. Its anoying and embarrasing not only for me at the valet but for the company of BMW. If someone asks me whats wrong with it i tell them what BMW told me, usually the reply is wow i thought they mde better cars than that. This time i took the car to the dealer the service writer went back and talked to one of the techs, came back and said it was a lifter and that it was ok theirs nothing wrong with it. I have since contacted corporate BMW and i am going to meet with the arbatrator.. I hope some on else has the same problem as me so BMW will see a problem and do something about it....

[rogataber]

I have a 330i SE and mine does it too! But everything seems to work well, the fuel consumption is good and the performance OK. Should I worry or just accept it as normal?

[BMW_E90]

i have a 325i also in the usa california, los angeles and have the same problem. hate the ticking engine noise;makes me feel like its a cheaper honda...

[andylee97]

I have the same problem, it sounds like me flicking my finger on a empty soda can. also my car knocks and knocks when the car is turned off. Somebody do something about this. Bmw will always tell you thats it normal unless we have hundreds off people to complain, then they might do something about this. I didnt buy a bmw to have these problems.

[ages944]

I had what sounds like the same problem. I took my car to the dealer, and they too said it was the hydraulic valve lifters (once they actually heard the noise... it was intermittent). Anyway, they didn't BS me that it was normal. They replaced all 24 lifters. That was about a month and a half ago. (Knock Wood) I haven't heard that noise since.

The link to the thread is below.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504


Let us know how it turns out.

[mike sax]

My 330xi also had this engine ticking noise. When I brought it to the dealer it would stop. They kept my car for three days and finally got it to tick. Repair order states (tech has found rocker arms on # 1 cylinder (second valve block) is worn along with cam - submitted findings into BMW via puma - Puma states to replace cam, carrier, rocker....etc. ) My car only had 2200 miles on it. Seems ok now. They also replaced the oil level sensor. This is my second replacement.

[a burrito]

I have the ticking noise in my e90 and have had it in my e46 330ci. It is normal. The ticking noise is much more louder when the engine is cold, but When it is warmed up, the noise is basically gone unless you lift the hood and try to listen for it.

[ages944]

well, I can't speak for others' experiences, but my tick started after about 6000 mi, and when I took it to the dealer, they said that the lifters were out of specification, and hence replaced them. They didn't replace the cam though, and that's starting to worry me after reading all the other posts...

[mike sax]

With all due respect I don't believe we're talking about the same noise here. I was embarrassed everytime I went through a drive through or was along side another vehicle that would echo the ticking noise. It wasn't normal and that's why they fixed it.

[ages944]

hey mikesax, could you tell me what they stated on your service invoice? Mine said that they were replacing all the 'hydraulic valve clearance compensators'. Did yours indicate the same part? I'm trying to see if I need to go back and have them look at the cam too.

Thanks!

[mike sax]

My repair order lists the following parts:



11 12 7 531 224 bearing ledge 1
11 12 0 392 548 set, aluminum screws 1
11 12 7 536 785 gasket 1
11 31 7 534 251 gasket ring 1
11 36 7 524 954 collar screw 2
11 31 1 705 512 piston ring 1
11 31 7 548 690 push rod 12
11 31 7 550 557 outlet camshaft 1
11 33 7 559 797 drag lever 12
07 51 0 017 866 oil 5w30 synth 1
12 61 7 540 351 sensor 1
07 51 0 017 866 oil 5w30 synth 7
11 42 7 541 827 filter element 1

[ages944]

Mikesax, holy crap, they did replace a lot on your car!

my parts list looks quite a bit smaller, though similar parts.

24 push rods, Al screws, torx bolt, and gasket. No cams though. May be calling up BMW NA to see if I can get my hands on the PUMA.

Thanks for the info!

[timber71]

I also have had the tic tic on my new 325i since about the 5000 km mark. It was normally happening on a cold start, during damp weather...but it certainly wasn't predictable. It was usually gone by the time I got to work in the morning.

Anyways, I made an appointment and took it to the dealer. They gave me a loaner 2005 330 for a few days, but could not reproduce the sound. They said they changed the oil, and to call them when if the sound returned.

Well, return it did, louder than ever. I took a video of it for the technician, and e-mailed it to the dealership. Those in the know said it sounded like lifters. I returned the car to the dealership on the 8th of December and they have had it ever since.

After 5 days, they advised me that they were able to reproduce the sound. On Friday the 15th, the service advisor e-mailed me to say 4 new lifters had been ordered, and that Wednesday the 20th would be the earliest I could pick up the car.

Then, the following e-mail arrived yesterday:

-----Original Message-----
From: Tamara Wilson [mailto:t.wilson@bmwottawa.com]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 5:18 PM
To: 'Tamara Wilson'
Subject: RE: Solved?

Tim

Found a more serious problem. Not too sure what, placed a call to BMW, waiting to hear back. I'll investigate and as I said get back to you tomorrow. I am afraid the original Wed pickup date I mentioned is not going to happen, sorry to get your hopes up. Talk to you tomorrow

~T

So tomorrow being today, I called the dealership. They have ordered a new CAM SHAFT!

Can you believe that? I've never heard of any car needing a new cam shaft after 10000 kms.

ETA, worst case, 30 days

yippee... not