tapping noise in motor - BMW Forum

ian3 · 04-19-2009, 12:44 PM

Hey everyone,
I have a 1998 e36 328is with 160,000 miles but it drives and looks great. But the other day a tapping noise started to occur in the engine bay. Someone told me it is the lifters and that it happens to bmws. But I dunno, the motor is flawless and I only use Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Is it the lifers? Should I get it checked out? Any help is grateful.

Thanks,
Ian

Numark318i · 04-19-2009, 12:57 PM

How severe is the ticking?

It is normal for BMW motors to tick after prolonged use. Shouldn't be an issue as long as it doesnt sound too bad. My E46 330 had 150k on it and it ticked.

Just normal wear on the lifters more than likely.

ian3 · 04-19-2009, 01:02 PM

It isn't too bad. But sometimes it is louder than other times. Like if I push the car it gets louder but if I just cruise it isn't too bad. Thanks for the response

Numark318i · 04-19-2009, 02:45 PM

Also you can try a heavier weight oil.

what are you running right now?

Usually if you drive harder oil gets hotter and becomes more vicos(not even sure if that is the right word) but basically it becomes thinner and is not getting as much to the top of the valve train. thus the slightly louder ticking

ian3 · 04-19-2009, 04:24 PM

I'm using Mobil 1 10W 30 i think or 15W 30....one of the two

SHAHAB323IS · 04-19-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numark318i

Also you can try a heavier weight oil.

what are you running right now?

Usually if you drive harder oil gets hotter and becomes more vicos(not even sure if that is the right word) but basically it becomes thinner and is not getting as much to the top of the valve train. thus the slightly louder ticking

more viscos would mean that it would be thicker not thinner, I'd try mobil 1 0w40

ian3 · 04-19-2009, 05:39 PM

thank you for the help everyone

coolvegase34 · 04-19-2009, 08:20 PM

could be your valves need adjustment. Hence the term "valve tap". When were they last serviced?

ian3 · 04-19-2009, 09:33 PM

I have no idea....we bought the car used but I have never had a problem with the motor....it looks good and runs very well.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 04-20-2009, 02:50 AM

the car has hydrolic lifters.... I run 15w50 and no tick here!

SHAHAB323IS · 04-20-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolvegase34

could be your valves need adjustment. Hence the term "valve tap". When were they last serviced?

You don't need to adjust hydraulic lifters. If the tapping noise gets really bad one of the hla's could be collapsed or it's oil supply could be blocked. If that's the case you need to replace it and would probably want take it to a mechanic depending on your skill level. If it's just a general tapping noise it's normal, my 323 did it, my miata does it, both cars have hla's, on the 323 switching to 0w40 helped reduce the noise, on the miata, well i just live with it, it goes away after a few minutes.

husdellp · 04-20-2009, 07:38 PM

right first things first, people always say that it most probably be the oil thats the cause of your problem but if you have changed it recently that shouldnt be the problem !!!! get someone else to rev your engine while you listen underneath the bonnet if the "tick" noise is coming from round the left or round to the rear of your engine then you probably would need to check for cam adjustment (valve clearances) or your oil spray rail could be blocked BUT if the noise is coming from the front then its probably your vanos being the mileage of your car i would say that this is more the problem with ticking than oil