Is there something wrong with my 323i e90 engine?

[zhandre1991]

Hi all

I need some help, when i start my car then there is a ticking sound coming from the engine, it goes away after a while once the cars idle is low again, but still now and then afterwards starts again with that ticking sound, what could be wrong or is it normal cause i have no idea, and another thing is when i rev the engine to above 6k and it comes down then theres a slight wistling sound as the revs goes back to idle, is this all normal or not?

Will appreciate your responses the car has 147k on the clock

 

[operator323]

All e90 s with n52 engines 05 to 08 models are affected by that ticking noise,its the hydraulic valve lifters that making noise due insuffient oil in the valve lifters,changing oil regularly and sometimes driving it hard,helps to reduce the noise.And the whistling noise might be a pulley or check your crankcase vent .

 

[Iceman007]

All e90 s with n52 engines 05 to 08 models are affected by that ticking noise,its the hydraulic valve lifters that making noise due insuffient oil in the valve lifters,changing oil regularly and sometimes driving it hard,helps to reduce the noise.And the whistling noise might be a pulley or check your crankcase vent .

I agree with the above. But somtimes lifter replacement does not even help and the complete head needs to be replaced. I have seen this at the Agents. I can tell you this is that the E90 inline 6 engines were not that well built. My e90 LCI 325i had its head replaced on 60 000km( would not reach top speed and irratic idle in the morning for a few seconds was the reason for replacement eventually and solved all my problems). The E46 I6 engines were the last of the best engines I think after owning both in the past.

Just a bit off the subject. I have since then switched to the Dark side and I am happy with the switch I made. All I miss is the exhaust tone, but when it comes to torque :rollsmile: and Fuel economy :rollsmile: its the best of both worlds. from 0 to 120 km/h the e46 330i does not win. e90 325i does not stand a chance against an f30 320d :rollsmile:

 

[mcajee]

gizmo...did this also happen to the E90 325i's as well?

 

[M3_devil]

My 323 E90 suffered from same thing, BMW diagnosed problem as a faulty starter:smashScreen:

 

[gundu88ZN]

I have an e90 323I and occasionally the lifters tend to make a little noise. I contacted BMW and they told me it was nothing to worry about. I should only worry if it continued to tick while the engine is hot which it does not do. I am from a mechanical background and it is ideally not the best situation as it means there is metal on metal but my car doesn't do it often enough for me to worry. When it does I take it on a spirited drive (obviously once the ticking has stopped and the engine is warm) and I don't hear it for a couple of weeks to sometimes even a few months. For me the ticking generally lasts for about 30 seconds on a really bad day which tends to be when it is quite cold. I hope this helps.

 

[yunuso]

i concur its the lifters, had same prob on my 323 and my wifes 325, same engines.

i can however suggest replacing the seal on the inside of you oil filler cap or just pry it out and turn it around. make sure its secure because the petrol jockeys at the garage always mess it up . top up with oil and see if it helps.
it completely eliminated the noise from her 325i.

i made enquiries as to lifter replacement about six months ago. the quotation was +- R12 000 and 3 days work !

try the oil cap seal reversal, you wont lose anything !

 

[zhandre1991]

Thanks guys for the responses and will definitely try the oil cap seal reversal