question: 2006 BMW E90 with ticking noise on engine

[Philip Foglar]

Avoid the short distance driving! This is a well know cause for this problem, yes, there is a flaw in this design and from what I've read even the redesigned head suffers from this. If you want your engine to develop sludge, go right ahead and only change the oil every 2 years or 25k km.

I think those are km/l consumption figures, not l/100 km...

 

[sclass]

Philip do you think that this is more of a driving style issue despite the design fault?

 

[Philip Foglar]

Philip do you think that this is more of a driving style issue despite the design fault?

When I bought my car I remember the salesperson saying that it is important for these engines to be driven properly and have their legs stretched (not in an abusive manner of course) as often as possible to help get the oil all around the upper reaches of the engine. I didn't really think much of it, but I have always been aware of driving a car for short distances not being the best practice, especially since the engine does not really get up to proper operating temperature along with the oil etc. So even if I literally need to go to the nearest shop which is virtually walking distance, I will first take the car for a short drive around the block and then go shopping, and to a degree I would also then still take the "longer" way back home so that by the time the car is back home it has had a proper heat cycle.

I am not saying that this WILL prevent the famous hydraulic lifter ticking, but just about every thread or post that I've read where this is the problem, there is a pattern involving shorter daily driving habits etc.

I also hate the short trips from the point of view that the economy is terrible - I swear I can hear the engine crunching bank notes while it is just idling at a robot!!! :fencelook: :rollsmile:

 

[Iceman007]

HI Guys,

Thank you to all who has answered the post.

I work 4km's away from home and therefore the car only drives short distances, the car hardly gets to optimum temp before i am at work and it cools down again.

Do you know if any of this is a DIY job or do i have to take it in and get charged an arm and a leg?

Once again, really appreciate your expertise and opinions.

Tx

May I ask what kind of consumption you get when only driving such short distances? I only do 5km to work, so I'm in the same situation.

I also get that ticking sound from time to time, but from what I've read its nothing to worry about, changing oil more frequently doesn't solve this, its just a flaw in the motor.

But yah, I get ~13.5-15l/100km driving these distances, so I am quite curious as to what you get.

That consumption is normal on a 325i e90. Save fuel and money then buy a diesel like I did.

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I have seen at least 2 cars getting New engines in the time I have been at my dealer for sludge build up. One was a 330i e90 with about 80 000km and the other a 135i with 45 000km belonging to a lady doctor that also drove about 5 or 6km to her practice. Theses cars want to be driven. Drive ot like a lady then you gonna have lots of sludge. From What I know now I wont buy a I6 now, because nearly everyone that has one is nursing it to get the best fuel consumption due to petrol price. Not good for the engine and the sludge will build up allot. Ja and 450km on a tank is no joke any more. And price is going up another 30cents

 

[sclass]

13-15l/100kms seems high to me, I haven't seen worse than 14l driving like a moron...so AVERAGING 13l in ordinary driving seems like a lot. But then again if this figure is strictly urban/stop-go and you are never (or rarely) in open road situations it could be normal...how often do you reset the consumption meter?

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Philip do you think that this is more of a driving style issue despite the design fault?

When I bought my car I remember the salesperson saying that it is important for these engines to be driven properly and have their legs stretched (not in an abusive manner of course) as often as possible to help get the oil all around the upper reaches of the engine. I didn't really think much of it, but I have always been aware of driving a car for short distances not being the best practice, especially since the engine does not really get up to proper operating temperature along with the oil etc. So even if I literally need to go to the nearest shop which is virtually walking distance, I will first take the car for a short drive around the block and then go shopping, and to a degree I would also then still take the "longer" way back home so that by the time the car is back home it has had a proper heat cycle.

I am not saying that this WILL prevent the famous hydraulic lifter ticking, but just about every thread or post that I've read where this is the problem, there is a pattern involving shorter daily driving habits etc.

I also hate the short trips from the point of view that the economy is terrible - I swear I can hear the engine crunching bank notes while it is just idling at a robot!!! :fencelook: :rollsmile:

With you one hundred percent, pity this is so at odds with trying to get 650-750kms per tank . I'm usually shifting at 2.2k rpm, will make an effort to up that to about 3 grand. Good thing I don't have the BMW PE

 

[Worm]

That consumption is normal on a 325i e90. Save fuel and money then buy a diesel like I did.

Yeah I'm definitely considering it, its just hard to find a 320d Touring with descent mileage these days (or at least comparable to what I have at the moment). And the fact that I'm loving the iDrive and don't know if I would want to drive a BMW without it.

13-15l/100kms seems high to me, I haven't seen worse than 14l driving like a moron...so AVERAGING 13l in ordinary driving seems like a lot. But then again if this figure is strictly urban/stop-go and you are never (or rarely) in open road situations it could be normal...how often do you reset the consumption meter?

I get to drive on an open road now and then, but then its only like 4-5km. I'll try and drive it a bit harder, and see if it makes a difference. I reset the consumption meter every time I fill up.