BMW e90 323i 2007 Cam Issue

[vohligh]

Hi guys,

So a few years ago I started getting a 'tick tick' noise coming from the engine, but would only last a few minutes and would disappear, so I thought nothing of it.

It has come back a few months ago, and this time has been persistent as in every morning, but once its warm the noise goes away.

When I had my battery replaced at a reputable BMW shop, the mechanic told me this 'tick tick' issue is a known cam issue with e90's and will cost R35k to fix.

How true is this? Is replacing it my only option?

Then this morning I drove as I usually do, but then there was a sudden loss of power when accelerating (after about 2 min of driving) and the idling began to become erratic. I turned around and started driving back home slowly, and then after about 5 min, the car returned back to the 'normal' state.

Has anyone experienced this? What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[akash]

When was the last time the car was serviced?

The ticking noise comes from your hydraulic lifters, some fresh oil usually sorts that out, its a common issue on the early models.

When did you last change your spark plugs as well?

 

[Nick]

Hi guys,

So a few years ago I started getting a 'tick tick' noise coming from the engine, but would only last a few minutes and would disappear, so I thought nothing of it.

It has come back a few months ago, and this time has been persistent as in every morning, but once its warm the noise goes away.

When I had my battery replaced at a reputable BMW shop, the mechanic told me this 'tick tick' issue is a known cam issue with e90's and will cost R35k to fix.

How true is this? Is replacing it my only option?

Then this morning I drove as I usually do, but then there was a sudden loss of power when accelerating (after about 2 min of driving) and the idling began to become erratic. I turned around and started driving back home slowly, and then after about 5 min, the car returned back to the 'normal' state.

Has anyone experienced this? What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

Yea, id start with oil.

 

[vohligh]

The car was serviced last in October last year (8 months ago).

I'm not too sure about spark plugs.

 

[Nick]

Where does your Battery guy get his info from?

 

[akash]

The car was serviced last in October last year (8 months ago).

I'm not too sure about spark plugs.

Do an oil and oil filter service.

Change your spark plugs and while at it change the air filter.

 

[vohligh]

Where does your Battery guy get his info from?

The battery guy is Colin from Garage 808, and is quite knowledgeable.

Just called them now, and will be sending it in for diagnostics.

 

[Solo Man]

Could also be the vanos solenoids. I serviced my neighbour's E90 323i about two months ago and after the service the car would start but idle very erratic and you had to really press the juice to get the engine to rev. The owner told me that they had this problem a few times in the past. I googled it and it seemed to be the vanos solenoids sticking. I removed them (not a big job at all) and cleaned them in petrol and then lacquer thinners and put them back in. No more erratic idling. Car drove like normal. It has been like that since, no complaints. Would certainly clean the vanos solenoids if i were you. Easy diy! Btw, theirs is a 2006.

 

[Nick]

Where does your Battery guy get his info from?

The battery guy is Colin from Garage 808, and is quite knowledgeable.

Just called them now, and will be sending it in for diagnostics.

ahh ok.

You are in safe hands them.

I thought it might have been a frikkie from Midas :biglol:

 

[akash]

Please don't end up paying R35K when an oil change will help. Trust me i had this issue on my 323i

 

[vohligh]

Could also be the vanos solenoids. I serviced my neighbour's E90 323i about two months ago and after the service the car would start but idle very erratic and you had to really press the juice to get the engine to rev. The owner told me that they had this problem a few times in the past. I googled it and it seemed to be the vanos solenoids sticking. I removed them (not a big job at all) and cleaned them in petrol and then lacquer thinners and put them back in. No more erratic idling. Car drove like normal. It has been like that since, no complaints. Would certainly clean the vanos solenoids if i were you. Easy diy! Btw, theirs is a 2006.

Thanks for the heads up. I had the vanos unit replaced sometime in 2011. Will chat to my mechanic and suggest this.

---

Please don't end up paying R35K when an oil change will help. Trust me i had this issue on my 323i

What a sigh of relief. Thought I was the only one.

My mechanic did say that if it gets bad I will have no choice but to replace it.

 

[kilotango]

............

...........

ahh ok.

You are in safe hands them.

I thought it might have been a frikkie from Midas :biglol:

nooooo....i wont have that. frikkie is a cool oke, he sold me a wheel spanner when my car was misfiring. a few direct shots to the valve cover sorted it out

 

[Nick]

:roflol::roflol::roflol:

 

[vohligh]

So Colin has come back reporting that the coil on cylinder 5 and the map thermostat is faulty and both needs to be replaced.

 

[akash]

How does that affect having sticky Hydraulic lifter.

But maybe those components are causing the power loss.

To be honest i would do a good service first.

 

[iambengiey]

When was the last time the car was serviced?

The ticking noise comes from your hydraulic lifters, some fresh oil usually sorts that out, its a common issue on the early models.

When did you last change your spark plugs as well?

Mine had same issue. changed oil and filter, then changed oil again after 2000k's and now there is no sound. I second hydraulic lifters

 

[vohligh]

How does that affect having sticky Hydraulic lifter.

But maybe those components are causing the power loss.

To be honest i would do a good service first.

It's unrelated to the lifters.

I'll do a good service as soon as I'm due.