I have a 2007 bmw 328xi, I noticed that the engine sometimes makes a ticking noise when I turn my car on. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Top end oil starvation on startup is common. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You might try using a little thicker oil to help it stick to the lifters. If it isn't lifter noise the fuel injectors can actually be quite noisy on some of these.
Anything new and out of the ordinary should be investigated. Can you give more detail including mileage?
@hillbilly
I got it with 120,000 miles, everything else on the car works great and recently had a oil change
Is the ticking periodic or random? How long does the ticking last?
@hillbilly
It’s at random mostly but I notice it always happens in the winter time and usually goes away after driving it for a few minutes
Thanks, I want to make sure I understand correctly, " when the ticking does happen, it's not a periodic tick?"
Not the frequency of when or if it happens at startup.
@hillbilly
Nope completely random but like I said it mostly in the winter time. There’s is no tick during the spring, summer, and early fall
Vanos most likely. What oil and filter was used in it when recently changed?
@hillbilly
I used Castro’s full synthetic 5w-30 and a Mann-Filter HU 816 oil filter
Good choices.. just checking ti insure someone didn't use cheap stuff.
Here's what I'd do, Take the beauty cover off and leave it off (temp).
When ticking happens again, pop hood and try to localize tick to which bank and position on head/valve cover....assuming it's vanos or lifter.... could be somewhere totally different. though too (DISA makes noises too but affects running...at least the ones I've had fail do).
And sry but the BMW's are pretty complex and takes some extra effort sometimes.
Here a trick that can help . This us the infamous bmw ticking because lifter need to reset.
Hold the rpm when you are at stand still for 5 minutes at 3000 rpm and see if this helps.
@klob
I don't think that's a good idea Klob. Here's why I think that, if it is a lifter making the tick and then it fails whiles 3000 rpm'ing it under no/min load...
But open to being convinced otherwise ; )
Hello this is part of the bmw support and service
https://youtu.be/WAB0Ai9kp-U
Here is a utube. There is one of the tricks. But I think you are right it better to be cautious.