Weird Engine Sound

[Henri]

Hi all!

I got a small concern about my engine.

The car only has 81 000km (50k miles) on it. It's a 1998 318i (M44, 1.9l).

When it's cold outside (it's really cold here... winter is coming and today it's 6°C (42°F) outside, the engine is doing a weird sound... like a "clic clic clic clic" until the engine is hot. I'm concerned because in december and january, the temperature outside can go down to -30°C outside... !!

Oh, by the way, there IS oil in engine :P

Any idea what I should check at or ask the mechanic to check at? I don't want to let my car at the dealer a whole night for them to check it when it's cold...

Thanks!

[97alpineM3]

Well.. depending on what vicosity oil you are using.... I use 40W racing oil.. which takes a while to warm up... when it is really cold here.. which is maybe one day out of the year... I will get the same thing... it just takes the oil a minute or two to warm up and get everywhere it needs to get to... including your valve cover area... and such...

If I was you.. I'd make sure you have the correct amount of oil... and the correct type of oil in that car for cold weather operation... I know my manual states a different type of oil for colder weather.. I'm wondering if your oil is different than what is prescribed by your manual for cold weather operation... take a look into that.. it might help....

If it gets worse over the next week or so.. I'd say take it in and have a mechanic look at it...

Good Luck,

Les

[Henri]

Thanks, yes, oil is full... fully syntec Castrol (the one for BMW, Mercedes and audi), i think it's 10W40... not sure...