Infamous engine ticking?

[Echo M3]

After watching some of my videos from the track (had a great time!) I noticed this one video where the characteristic ticking noise of the S65 was incredibly loud - far louder than I've ever noticed in the past. For those of you unfamiliar or not clear about which sound I'm referring to, I can best describe it as a metallic 'ticking' noise at very high frequency. I've posted a segment of the video below - any thoughts on whether this is an issue or not would be appreciated. Thanks

[kouhii]

Doesn't sound right! Sounds like the infamous 335i VANOS issue.

Check to see if you have this.
-Car only ticks when engine is warm (170F or higher oil temp)
-Ticking frequency changes with engine speed
-You can hear it tick faster between 1.5k and 3k rpm
-You can hear it while in highest gear (6th or 7th) and driving at 25mph on a quiet road

If these are your symptoms check the main bearings.

[jdgamble]

That sounds like sh*t!

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by kouhii

Doesn't sound right! Sounds like the infamous 335i VANOS issue.

Check to see if you have this.
-Car only ticks when engine is warm (170F or higher oil temp)
-Ticking frequency changes with engine speed
-You can hear it tick faster between 1.5k and 3k rpm
-You can hear it while in highest gear (6th or 7th) and driving at 25mph on a quiet road

If these are your symptoms check the main bearings.

Appreciate the feedback. Here are the facts:

-Ticking is only at startup. Once the engine settles to an idle, it gets quieter/seems to go away. I didn't notice it at all when the engine is warm.

-Ticking noise is coming from the lower left portion of the engine bay (NOT from the cylinders/injectors themselves)

-It doesn't really sound like ticking at low RPM. But in very high gears and low speed, the engine sounds somewhat 'choppy' and smoothens out as you get up the rev range. I think that 'choppiness' has been there since Day 1 - so that doesn't concern me as much.

I took some video today, I will upload it and post it, in the hope someone here might have encountered it before .

[Kyoshi71]

Check your exhaust before anything else

[Echo M3]

Here it is.

[jdgamble]

Originally Posted by pman10

Here it is.

So that's when the engine is cold? There is a blurb in the manual that talks about the exhaust making a metallic sound on start-up, then it goes away. I think they all do this. If this is only when the engine is cold, it's probably that. I'm guessing it's the byproduct of preheating the cats.

[Michaeljh2000]

The manual states that it is normal for there to be a metallic ticking sound at start up, until engine heats up. I've noticed this on my own car when engine is cold, but it is not that loud and goes away quickly.

[Bubbles]

I've never heard an M at the track sounding like that after a session. That is not the exhaust pinging. I'd have it checked.

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I've never heard an M at the track sounding like that after a session. That is not the exhaust pinging. I'd have it checked.

This was actually before the session started, right after I had started the ignition and was pulling out of the paddock onto pit lane. Did you get a chance to listen to the second video?

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by pman10

This was actually before the session started, right after I had started the ignition and was pulling out of the paddock onto pit lane. Did you get a chance to listen to the second video?

Ok, so was it cold?

The second video was bad as well.


I have some ticking in the morning, but it disappears quickly. Not near the sound level of your ride.

[duk]

sounds like exhaust leak

[Echo M3]

So, I spoke with my SA today, after dropping the car off last night. They started the car cold today morning, and voila, they said it's all normal! They said some cars idle louder than others at startup, but otherwise, they couldn't find anything wrong. At this point, I don't think there is much else to do - I have alot of confidence in this dealer, but I'm a bit perplexed after so many of you seemed to agree with me that the sound was odd.

I was also told there is a programming recall on my car (anyone know what exactly that could be? I had an oil change 1-2 months ago), which I found interesting.

[satinghostrider]

Originally Posted by pman10

After watching some of my videos from the track (had a great time!) I noticed this one video where the characteristic ticking noise of the S65 was incredibly loud - far louder than I've ever noticed in the past. For those of you unfamiliar or not clear about which sound I'm referring to, I can best describe it as a metallic 'ticking' noise at very high frequency. I've posted a segment of the video below - any thoughts on whether this is an issue or not would be appreciated. Thanks

Dont mind me asking. What year is your M3?

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Dont mind me asking. What year is your M3?

It's a '10 E90