Clicking/Tapping Noise When Engine On

sblove · 04-28-2011, 01:50 PM

My car makes a rather loud clicking or tapping noise when the engine is on. You can easily hear it when standing outside the car, but not really when sitting inside. I have heard from one person that this sounds normal to them, whereas someone else said it sounds like something is loose. Not really sure what to think. Wondering if others have this before I go to my dealer's service department. Thanks!

Razel · 04-28-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sblove

My car makes a rather loud clicking or tapping noise when the engine is on. You can easily hear it when standing outside the car, but not really when sitting inside. I have heard from one person that this sounds normal to them, whereas someone else said it sounds like something is loose. Not really sure what to think. Wondering if others have this before I go to my dealer's service department. Thanks!

I'd take it to the dealer and let them listen to it. Mine doesn't have any clicking noises at idle when I'm outside the car. If they say it's "normal", press them to explain what it is exactly that's making the noise.

clivem2 · 04-28-2011, 03:44 PM

Is it a 35? All 335i's do this.

sblove · 04-28-2011, 03:51 PM

No, 28i

tuco44 · 04-28-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sblove

No, 28i

Actually the 28i has the N52 engine, a long time I6 BMW engine. They are known for noisy lifters (? IIRC) and there is a fix for that. In fact, there was a TSB on it some time ago. Not sure that is what is happening in this case tho - best let the dealer check it out soon.

zlee11 · 04-29-2011, 07:19 AM

I actually had this problem on my 2008 X5, 3.0. Ticking noise from OUTSIDE the car, that was worse when the engine was cold. The dealer kept the car for 3 days, and I got the annoying "could not re-produce" result. The dummies kept the car in a heated indoor garage all night. The lease was almost over, so I did not bother with it. I gave the X5 back yesterday and I ordered a new X3 2.8. I bought it this time, so I hope there is no noise problem.

roders · 04-29-2011, 07:34 AM

Sounds like the Lifter's problem which was experienced in the 3 series.
There was a TSB which advised that all lifters should be changed. Fixed the issues my wife had with her 323i E92.

peterson81 · 07-12-2011, 04:44 PM

My new X3 (500 miles) is making the same noise. It is louder with the A/C on.

I agree, it is only noticeable from outside the car. But it sounds a bit trashy. Not the way it ought to be. My former 323i and 525i cars were virtually silent at idle.

The 328i engine has been around a while, so I'm thinking it comes from the accessories.

Will ask the service guy about it the next time in.

Dr Stig 2 · 07-12-2011, 08:09 PM

My N54 35is makes a ticking noise - as did the N54 35i I have test driven. The mechanic says it is the injectors with the new direct injection system. Quite loud, but the power and economy is worth it.

04-28-2011, 01:50 PM	#1
sblove Enlisted Member 13 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Clicking/Tapping Noise When Engine On My car makes a rather loud clicking or tapping noise when the engine is on. You can easily hear it when standing outside the car, but not really when sitting inside. I have heard from one person that this sounds normal to them, whereas someone else said it sounds like something is loose. Not really sure what to think. Wondering if others have this before I go to my dealer's service department. Thanks!
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04-28-2011, 03:44 PM	#3
clivem2 Colonel 539 Rep 2,073 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Is it a 35? All 335i's do this. __________________ Current: G01 M40i Silver / Tartufo Previous: E30 318iS, E39 520i 523i 523i, E46 vert 330i 330i, E93 vert 335i, F25 30D 35D
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04-28-2011, 03:51 PM	#4
sblove Enlisted Member 13 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	No, 28i
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04-29-2011, 07:19 AM	#6
zlee11 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I actually had this problem on my 2008 X5, 3.0. Ticking noise from OUTSIDE the car, that was worse when the engine was cold. The dealer kept the car for 3 days, and I got the annoying "could not re-produce" result. The dummies kept the car in a heated indoor garage all night. The lease was almost over, so I did not bother with it. I gave the X5 back yesterday and I ordered a new X3 2.8. I bought it this time, so I hope there is no noise problem.
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04-29-2011, 07:34 AM	#7
roders Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 299 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia iTrader: (0)	Sounds like the Lifter's problem which was experienced in the 3 series. There was a TSB which advised that all lifters should be changed. Fixed the issues my wife had with her 323i E92.
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07-12-2011, 04:44 PM	#8
peterson81 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 x3 28i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (0)	My new X3 (500 miles) is making the same noise. It is louder with the A/C on. I agree, it is only noticeable from outside the car. But it sounds a bit trashy. Not the way it ought to be. My former 323i and 525i cars were virtually silent at idle. The 328i engine has been around a while, so I'm thinking it comes from the accessories. Will ask the service guy about it the next time in.
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07-12-2011, 08:09 PM	#9
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane 53 Rep 1,464 Posts Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW Z4 35is [10.00] 2013 BMW X5 30d [0.00]	My N54 35is makes a ticking noise - as did the N54 35i I have test driven. The mechanic says it is the injectors with the new direct injection system. Quite loud, but the power and economy is worth it. __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia
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