Odd N54 ticking noise after shut down

[Josh (PA)]

Hi All,

I have an N54 in my '09 535xiT (88k miles) that just recently started making a new noise.

I only notice the noise after I shut the engine down. It lasts 30 secs to a minute. It sounds a lot like the DI injector tapping/knocking, but is somewhat louder. It seems to be coming from the center passenger side area of the engine bay.

It is not the normal cool down tapping/ticking you hear from the exhausts. It is a driven (mechanical) noise. It isn't the buzzy sound of the fuel pump. It isn't coming from the radiator fan or clutch.

Any thoughts. I searched a few boards for help, but didn't find anything conclusive. I saw a few people ask about ticking sounds, but the responses were always 'normal exhaust cool down'. This sound is not that, it is a deliberate repeated fast tempo-ed mechanical tap.

[TheFox]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Hi All,

I have an N54 in my '09 535xiT (88k miles) that just recently started making a new noise.

.....

I only notice the noise after I shut the engine down. It lasts 30 secs to a minute. It sounds a lot like the DI injector tapping/knocking, but is somewhat louder. It seems to be coming from the center passenger side area of the engine bay.

Is the sound there with the engine running?

It could be the water pump and you may just not be able to hear it well with the engine running. I would take off the under engine cover and see if you can hear it from the water pump after you shut the car off.

[Josh (PA)]

Thanks. Would you think the noise is a sign of impending water pump doom, or should I just relax and keep an eye on things?

[JabonYetty]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Thanks. Would you think the noise is a sign of impending water pump doom, or should I just relax and keep an eye on things?

Its very easy to tell if your coolant(water) pump is going. When you shut your car off you will hear a very loud blowing noise like a fan is still running.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by TheFox

Is the sound there with the engine running?

It could be the water pump and you may just not be able to hear it well with the engine running. I would take off the under engine cover and see if you can hear it from the water pump after you shut the car off.

WINNER!
And for the record it did prophecize impending doom. My car is sitting in a Target parking lot this evening waiting on a tow to my mechanic

Who thinks the repair will be covered by my aftermarket warranty?

[TheFox]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

WINNER!
And for the record it did prophecize impending doom. My car is sitting in a Target parking lot this evening waiting on a tow to my mechanic

Who thinks the repair will be covered by my aftermarket warranty?

I think you will be lucky if its covered, but I wish you the best with it. How meany miles did the pump have on it? Just out of curiosity.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by TheFox

I think you will be lucky if its covered, but I wish you the best with it. How meany miles did the pump have on it? Just out of curiosity.

2009 N54 w/ ~90k miles. The first 40k or so were NYC miles before I got it, so I'm assuming a fair amount of stop and go.

[darkrom]

Is the noise new? Are you new to the car? My guess is turbos make things hot. Probably hearing the exhaust ticking like all high power turbo cars make when you get things toasty. Drive hard, does it tick more/longer? Drive like a granny and don't hit boost, less ticking that way?