[turnsignalslol]

Hi guys, I’ve noticed this ticking noise during cold starts (goes away after engine warms up) and I’m 99.999% sure that it’s the infamous “litter tick” that many of us on the forum seem to have (I’ve noticed a large concentration of ppl with this issue have M2C’s). If you don’t know what I’m talking about, look up S55 lifter tick and you’ll find dozens of videos on YouTube.

Anyways, here’s the problem. I went to a dealer in March of this year and they kept the car for three days, then basically told me it’s just the injectors and everything is all fine and dandy. I didn’t buy this one bit but at that point, I just wanted my car back since it was pretty clear they didn’t want to actually do anything to help (they unplugged my dash cam as soon as they took the car, thanks for that, I TOTALLY don’t know what you were doing for those 3 days -_-). However, my warranty ends April of next year and while some people are saying it’s not a big deal, I’ve heard someone say that a mechanic told them that it could become a bigger issue down the road. I plan on keeping my car for a long time and tuning it after the warranty so I need things to be working and in good condition.

Only mods I have are the Turner skid plate and an AA single midpipe plus cosmetic mods. This sound was present before any of these mods were installed. I’m just stuck at what to do because now I’m scared the dealer is just going to blame everything on the midpipe even though the sound comes from the top right side of the fucking engine, not the exhaust.

I went to McKenna BMW in Norwalk for the first dealer visit and I don’t really plan on visiting them again for this issue, they’ll probably tell me the same thing again and go for another joyride in my car

Anyone have any tips on how to get the dealer to actually fix my car? All help is appreciated, thanks

[allinon72]

These engines are noisy, that’s just the way it is. Both my 2015 M3 and 2020 M2C tick like crazy on cold start, and while unpleasant, doesn’t signifying anything wrong. Without more symptoms, what are you expecting the dealer to do?

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by allinon72

These engines are noisy, that’s just the way it is. Both my 2015 M3 and 2020 M2C tick like crazy on cold start, and while unpleasant, doesn’t signifying anything wrong. Without more symptoms, what are you expecting the dealer to do?

It’s well documented that the issue is fixed once you retorque some bolts in the camshaft.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

It’s well documented that the issue is fixed once you retorque some bolts in the camshaft.

It’s unclear to me what normal is for these engines vs the ones that actually need this done.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

It’s well documented that the issue is fixed once you retorque some bolts in the camshaft.

Well documented, yes, widespread, no. A lot of those cases, if I remember correctly, involved driveability and idle issues, as well as codes.

If you truly believe something is wrong, I would keep trying dealerships or independent shops. But driving into a dealership and saying “my engine is noisy, open it up and retorque my cam bolts” isn’t likely to gain traction.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Well documented, yes, widespread, no. A lot of those cases, if I remember correctly, involved driveability and idle issues, as well as codes.

If you truly believe something is wrong, I would keep trying dealerships or independent shops. But driving into a dealership and saying “my engine is noisy, open it up and retorque my cam bolts” isn’t likely to gain traction.

so if it isn’t dealt with, it could create actual issues down the line is what you’re saying?

[MSH_]

I see your in SoCal? This guy on youtube went to 6 dealerships in Socal before he gave up and had it fixed by an indy shop(SZR Motorsports). Not an M2c but same S55 motor with his M4. You could try reaching out to him with questions. I have also read of people getting it fixed and the noise just comes back...

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by MSH_

I see your in SoCal? This guy on youtube went to 6 dealerships in Socal before he gave up and had it fixed by an indy shop(SZR Motorsports). Not an M2c but same S55 motor with his M4. You could try reaching out to him with questions. I have also read of people getting it fixed and the noise just comes back...

I watched his video. He tried to get 6 different dealers to fix it but they all said there was "nothing wrong" when there clearly is a remedy for the ticking. What annoys me is that my friends with S55's don't seem to have this ticking while I do. That's what makes me want to get it fixed, and if warranty is supposed to cover it, why not?

[turnsignalslol]

Update 1: Just booked an appointment at another dealership for tomorrow, hopefully they'll be able to fix the issue... Fingers crossed

[turnsignalslol]

Also here are some YouTube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3Y3mO8n-Cek (cold start)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zGGIgcInJzQ (after engine warmed up, drove my car around for a bit)

[doughboy]

It is a known PUMA case with BMW, says it should be investigated if the customer complains, the fix is listed as replace and retorque exhaust cam retainer bolts

I paid for mine to be fixed by an independent BMW specialist garage when BMW fobbed me off. Mine was clearly a single lifter, 1 knock every 2 engine revs, quite slow but metallic, tick, tick, tick at idle. Very noticeable even my wife would say "what's that noise?".

Not injectors. They operate 6 times per 2 engine revs. Get an engine stethoscope and
Put it near no.1 exhaust end you'll hear it!

Nobody will have codes for this FFS if you know anything about engines.

Since it was fixed it's perfectly quiet hot and cold.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by doughboy

It is a known PUMA case with BMW, says it should be investigated if customer complains, the fix is listed as replace and retorque exhaust cam retainer bolts

I paid for mine to be fixed by an independent BMW specialist garage when BMW fobbed me off. Mine was clearly a single lifter, 1 knock every 2 engine revs, quite slow but metallic, tick, tick, tick at idle. Very noticeable even my wife would say "what's that noise?"

Nobody will have codes for this FFS if you know anything about engines..

Since it was fixed it's perfectly quiet

Hey, I saw your contributions to other threads about this! Nice to see you here

I think PuMA has been retired and TSARA has taken its place but I get your point. This is going to be the second dealer I'm trying to have fix this issue, I just don't want to have to pay out of pocket for something that shouldn't even be an issue, especially because I still have warranty

[doughboy]

Thing with warranty is it's at their discretion not yours.

Whatever it's called now it is a known defect, but not deemed critical or a recall. They just want to ignore it and hope you go away.

If you tie it in with spark plug replacements that's half the job anyway.

Just like the socal guy mine was perfect after being fixed.

BMW of course don't want to admit the engine assembly defect.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

These engines are noisy, that’s just the way it is. Both my 2015 M3 and 2020 M2C tick like crazy on cold start, and while unpleasant, doesn’t signifying anything wrong. Without more symptoms, what are you expecting the dealer to do?

They're not noisy? The only noise should be regular injector tick, just like any DI petrol engine.

When it comes to a noticeable slow metallic tick that other people notice, then it is a fault that needs sorting.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Thing with warranty is it's at their discretion not yours.

Whatever it's called now it is a known defect, but not deemed critical or a recall. They just want to ignore it and hope you go away.

If you tie it in with spark plug replacements that's half the job anyway.

Just like the socal guy mine was perfect after being fixed.

BMW of course don't want to admit the engine assembly defect.

Can you more or less confirm that the sound in the video I uploaded was the same as the one you had?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Can you more or less confirm that the sound in the video I uploaded was the same as the one you had?

I would say yes it is the same, you can hear the quicker click, click, click of injectors in the background then a much slower pronouced "tick" (almost a metal tapping sound).

Mine used to do it when cold, but also after standing for about an hour from hot too, it did it worse then as I recall.

The specialist I used took about 3 seconds to diagnose it and has done it on 4 or 5 S55's (all F80 M3), same fix as per BMW bulletin, so it's not like we're making it up.

Replace all the 15off exhaust cam bearing ledge bolts and torque to spec (8nm +60deg TTY I think?).

New cam cover gasket too.

COMPLETELY tap free since then, at all temps.

Seriously, buy a £10 engineers stethoscope and put it on the egde of the cylinder head at no1 end it sounds horrendous.

https://amzn.eu/d/4kqbOuM

[m2ss]

Originally Posted by chris719

It’s unclear to me what normal is for these engines vs the ones that actually need this done.

Same here, all my previous BMWs had some ticking if I recall...

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by chris719

It’s unclear to me what normal is for these engines vs the ones that actually need this done.

The ones that need it done tick / tap like hell, the ones that don't don't.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by m2ss

Same here, all my previous BMWs had some ticking if I recall...

Evenly spaced, regular ticking is one thing.

But this noise is like a failing lifter or a loose tappet on an older engine (if you ever heard that).

It stands out from a "normal" engine, but BMW of course don't want to fix it if they can avoid it....

[m2ss]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Evenly spaced, regular ticking is one thing.

But this noise is like a failing lifter or a loose tappet on an older engine (if you ever heard that).

It stands out from a "normal" engine, but BMW of course don't want to fix it if they can avoid it....

Was at the dealer and my tech guy said it's normal and took me to another M2C and it sounded identical...

[doughboy]

Ok cool."they all do that sir". They probably do as with modern car production techniques if one group of bolts isn't torqued properly they'll all be like that. BMW will know the extent by now and just try to limit their exposure to costs.

I had mine fixed in line with BMWs own guidance, not mine. Yes done by a 3rd party but still to BMW instruction.

Now its perfectly quiet. Strange that isn't it.

Any odd metallic tapping / rattling that is fixed by tightening things up properly is a problem in my eyes especially in such a high stress area as valve train. On other engines this has progressed to be audible in the cabin and needed cam replacement too.

Maybe you're just hearing injector clicks?

[MSH_]

Originally Posted by m2ss

Was at the dealer and my tech guy said it's normal and took me to another M2C and it sounded identical...

Same. Took mine in a couple weeks ago and they said "all sounds normal" I bought my '20 M2C from a Services Tech Lead at a BMW dealership in FL and he told me.... "The direct injectors and the 2 fuel pumps are a bit noisy. We get a lot of concerns with them but it's just how it is" The local dealer here in CO also says all normal so I'm just going with it. Warranty ends in August and then its time for a mild tune with Enabled

Here's mine.... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UwWLDIEQMgQ