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      11-30-2020, 07:22 PM   #1
JustAWhisper
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Strange ticking noise after oil change

All,

I just did my first DIY oil change this morning on my 2018 M2 that I purchased in September. I went for a customary short test drive around the block and came back to notice a ticking noise coming from the engine. Thinking the oil lifters were just making noise while the engine relubricated, I went for a longer test drive and rev'ed the engine a little (not a lot). Came back and the noise was gone... and then started again after idl'ing for a few seconds.

I checked the oil level and it was right at max (Oil level was still "OK"). Apparently, despite letting it drain for over an hour, the N55 M2 holds on to more oil than the older BMW's I've owned in the past. Note for next time, don't put the full 6.5L into the engine after an oil change.

Later, I went and ran an errand. Started the car up... no noise. Ran my errand and came back, and I idled in the garage for a few seconds. Sure enough the ticking returned again after a few seconds.

If it was oil lifters, I would have expected the noise to be gone by now.

The noise is not loud enough to be heard inside the car, but it is when standing outside next to the hood. It sounds almost like a faint knocking sound, not engine knock, but a tapping on wood sound, at a fast interval of roughly 4 times a second. I can try and make a recording if it helps.

Any ideas?
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      12-01-2020, 02:31 AM   #2
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https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1456944
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      12-01-2020, 07:48 AM   #3
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OP said it happens to him at idle. Pretty sure the valvetronic actuator noise only happens when the engine isn't running. I had the same issue I could never hear it while the car was running, only when I first unlocked it. Also it would only last for 30sec-1min.
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      12-01-2020, 09:37 AM   #4
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I know this might be a stupid question but did you use the correct oil?

Also, does the ticking persist once the engine and oil are fully warmed up?
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      12-01-2020, 08:46 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewC1989 View Post
OP said it happens to him at idle. Pretty sure the valvetronic actuator noise only happens when the engine isn't running. I had the same issue I could never hear it while the car was running, only when I first unlocked it. Also it would only last for 30sec-1min.
Correct. I only hear it while the engine is running. Also that noise has an irregular rhythm, while the noise I hear is perfectly steady state repeating clicks.

I used BMW LL01 FE 0w-30, which is what the local BMW dealer parts counter handed to me. The ticking initially went away when the oil warmed up, but then it came back after a few seconds of idling.

I drove a different car to work today (for unrelated reasons), but I'll try to make a brief recording soon and post it.
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      12-02-2020, 02:07 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
Correct. I only hear it while the engine is running. Also that noise has an irregular rhythm, while the noise I hear is perfectly steady state repeating clicks.

I used BMW LL01 FE 0w-30, which is what the local BMW dealer parts counter handed to me. The ticking initially went away when the oil warmed up, but then it came back after a few seconds of idling.

I drove a different car to work today (for unrelated reasons), but I'll try to make a brief recording soon and post it.
This sounds similar to an issue that the 128s would get. BMW procedure for lifter noise in these cars was to get the car up to temp, then put the car in park and hold the revs at 2,000 rpm for 30 seconds. That runs enough oil at pressure through the system to flush out any error.

Not a guaranteed solution for you, but it's an easy first step.
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      12-02-2020, 08:31 PM   #7
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Here is a video recording of the noise.

It sounds loud because I'm holding the phone right next to the engine. It's not loud enough for me to hear from the inside.

I recorded this video just a few minutes ago after getting home from work. Car was fully warmed up.



Let me know what you think.
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      12-02-2020, 08:41 PM   #8
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Woah, that's a weird noise. Try the 30 seconds at 2,000 RPM and see where it gets you.
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      12-02-2020, 08:58 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Woah, that's a weird noise. Try the 30 seconds at 2,000 RPM and see where it gets you.
Did it a couple times just now. No dice.

I'm getting the sense that this is indeed unusual, so I'm going to make an appointment at the BMW dealer. At least the car is still under warranty. Hopefully they don't give me crap about doing my own oil change, but I wasn't about to fork over $220 for them to change some oil.

If anyone has any other thoughts before I go, please let me know.

Thanks.
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      12-02-2020, 09:07 PM   #10
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Why would you be charged for the oil change if the car is under warranty? BMW covers the 10,000 mile/1 year oil changes.

I agree it should go to the dealer ASAP, that noise would concern me. Check the filter housing: are the o-rings properly seated?
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      12-02-2020, 09:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Why would you be charged for the oil change if the car is under warranty? BMW covers the 10,000 mile/1 year oil changes.

I agree it should go to the dealer ASAP, that noise would concern me. Check the filter housing: are the o-rings properly seated?
I just bought the car from the original owner. The BMW service plan does not transfer.
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      12-02-2020, 09:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
I just bought the car from the original owner. The BMW service plan does not transfer.
Yeah, it does, for $100. Did that with mine.
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      12-02-2020, 09:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VisualEcho View Post
Yeah, it does, for $100. Did that with mine.
That option was not offered to me (I asked if there was an option along those lines). Is there anywhere where this is captured on BMW's website? I can't find it.

EDIT: I found another post talking about it. I wish I would have known about it before. I still need to do the spark plugs (The car is on the 30K service due to time interval though it only has 23K currently). I'll have to see what the dealer can do when I get there.

Last edited by JustAWhisper; 12-02-2020 at 09:32 PM..
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      12-02-2020, 09:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
That option was not offered to me (I asked if there was an option along those lines). Is there anywhere where this is captured on BMW's website? I can't find it.
If your car is still under factory warranty they HAVE to give you this option. Your SA sucks. Not sure about where it would be on the website, but it absolute is the case. Purchased my used '18 in August of last year and did it. My friend that just purchased a used '18 did it last month...at a cost of $0 because the original selling dealer didn't fill out the paperwork right for the first owner.

Talk to a different BMW dealer, yours sucks.
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      12-02-2020, 10:29 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VisualEcho View Post
If your car is still under factory warranty they HAVE to give you this option. Your SA sucks. Not sure about where it would be on the website, but it absolute is the case. Purchased my used '18 in August of last year and did it. My friend that just purchased a used '18 did it last month...at a cost of $0 because the original selling dealer didn't fill out the paperwork right for the first owner.

Talk to a different BMW dealer, yours sucks.
Yup, your SA is looking to screw you here. Same on the spark plugs, if they are due by either mileage or age BMW has to cover it.
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      12-02-2020, 10:31 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Yup, your SA is looking to screw you here. Same on the spark plugs, if they are due by either mileage or age BMW has to cover it.
My dealer just did my plugs way early at 15K miles because by the time they are due I'll be out of warranty, and BMW approved it (so it's common).
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      12-03-2020, 10:11 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
That option was not offered to me (I asked if there was an option along those lines). Is there anywhere where this is captured on BMW's website? I can't find it.

EDIT: I found another post talking about it. I wish I would have known about it before. I still need to do the spark plugs (The car is on the 30K service due to time interval though it only has 23K currently). I'll have to see what the dealer can do when I get there.
Had my 18 in for service to replace Steering Wheel, two days later I started my car up and am getting same sound. To me it sounds like a lifter, or an injector. Will be contacting Service Dept. to check it out.
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At a Point above 7,000 RPM.

Last edited by chief1richard; 12-03-2020 at 10:41 AM..
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      12-03-2020, 10:56 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
Here is a video recording of the noise.

It sounds loud because I'm holding the phone right next to the engine. It's not loud enough for me to hear from the inside.

I recorded this video just a few minutes ago after getting home from work. Car was fully warmed up.

Let me know what you think.
Yeah that's 100% not a valvetronic actuator. Something else is amiss.
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      12-03-2020, 11:35 PM   #19
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I have a service appointment tomorrow morning. We'll see how it goes.
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      12-04-2020, 07:18 PM   #20
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Turns out it was a simple issue. I arrived at the dealer, the SA could hear the noise but didn't know what it was. He called a tech over who immediately reached into the engine bay between the engine and the airbox and the noise stopped.

Apparently a purge line has started to crack (which the tech had seen before and knew where to check first), so a new one is on order. I didn't see exactly what number it was that the SA ordered, but I'll have that on the final invoice when the car goes back to get fixed and let folks know.

In the meantime, it's nothing to worry about and if the Check Engine light comes on I'll know why.

It is a bit strange that something emissions related would fail so quickly, but the tech said that the plastic fittings deteriorate due to heat, so I guess M2's factory increased boost + desert climate = failure for plastic parts in close proximity to the engine on the N55.
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      12-04-2020, 08:22 PM   #21
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Glad you found the remedy. Thanks for posting!!
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      12-04-2020, 08:48 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAWhisper View Post
Turns out it was a simple issue. I arrived at the dealer, the SA could hear the noise but didn't know what it was. He called a tech over who immediately reached into the engine bay between the engine and the airbox and the noise stopped.

Apparently a purge line has started to crack (which the tech had seen before and knew where to check first), so a new one is on order. I didn't see exactly what number it was that the SA ordered, but I'll have that on the final invoice when the car goes back to get fixed and let folks know.

In the meantime, it's nothing to worry about and if the Check Engine light comes on I'll know why.

It is a bit strange that something emissions related would fail so quickly, but the tech said that the plastic fittings deteriorate due to heat, so I guess M2's factory increased boost + desert climate = failure for plastic parts in close proximity to the engine on the N55.
Whoa if you can get pics that would be great to have on record for us folks
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