**1 owners pls read if you have a ticking noise in your engine**

lovemy1 · 03-06-2009, 01:02 AM

hey guys so what I have been able to find out from BMW today is that the cylinder shape is causing an air buildup in the valve which is causing this ticking noise.. supposebly it does not effect the engine damage wise but what BMW has done is remanufactured a new cylinder head that is shaped differently and has been replacing them in 1ers it seems like maybe this may end up being a recall type deal if they notice a lot of 1ers having the problem. I would love to know why after i took it in the first time they didnt realize that it was this but anyways i think ifyour car is making the noise it is worth it to be upgraded to the new valve...

ichiban · 03-06-2009, 02:07 AM

do you have any notes from bmw that describes the noise?

Templedogg · 03-06-2009, 04:16 AM

Mine has a slight ticking sound at start up, almost like a stuck lifter in an old V8, but goes away...is that what yours was doing?

TP 135i · 03-06-2009, 06:02 AM

I just read a Tech Q&A in the latest issue of Bimmer magazine (May 2009).
"What's this tickin' noise?"
Apparently BMW hydraulic valve actuators "do not pump up all the way in the sort of normal low-rpm driving common in North America." They go on to say that "The noise does not indicate a problem that will damage the engine, nor does it happen to all cars. It depends on how you drive." They mention a bleed-down procedure to temporarily silence the noise, but imply it will return with low-rpm driving styles. BMW service information bulletin 11 09 07 was said to tell you how to do the bleed-down.

Oh, by the way.....I, personally don't claim to know what the heck they are talkin' about....I'm just reporting what I've read.

imported_mega · 03-06-2009, 06:47 AM

so drive it like you stole it, and you wont have this problem?

my foot is too the floor at least 25 times a day, I have no ticking noise

peppebmw · 03-06-2009, 08:16 AM

I have the ticking noise. Better stop driving like a wuss!!

Citizen Z · 03-06-2009, 08:31 AM

I don't have the ticking noise and I'm WOT about 10x a day.

lovemy1 · 03-06-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichiban

do you have any notes from bmw that describes the noise?

Once my servicing is done I will post some better notes on exactly what the issue is.. I have been told it has to do with an air pocket in the cylinder and they state that it isn't damaging the engine... anyways mine was making the noise daily and for over 3 months and on my second push at bmw to figure out what it was this is what they told me.. I just don't like that the engine sounds like crap the ticking drove me crazy and I think that if there is an issue with the valve then they should be fixing it on all of the cars.

gtaday51 · 03-06-2009, 08:59 AM

Is it a small ticking noise that accompanies the sound of idle? I thought that that was a pump or something. My car always makes that noise when it is at idle below 900 RPM. Hmm, so is it an air pocket in the cylinder? Thats sounds like it would cause damage. Guess i'll have to get it checked out.

lovemy1 · 03-06-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Is it a small ticking noise that accompanies the sound of idle? I thought that that was a pump or something. My car always makes that noise when it is at idle below 900 RPM. Hmm, so is it an air pocket in the cylinder? Thats sounds like it would cause damage. Guess i'll have to get it checked out.

Ya mine does it at idle for about the first 10-20 km of driving if its been sitting cold for awhile.. its definately worth getting looked at for sure..

gtaday51 · 03-06-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemy1

Ya mine does it at idle for about the first 10-20 km of driving if its been sitting cold for awhile.. its definately worth getting looked at for sure..

Yeah but does it all the time at idle. Even if I drove the hell out of it for 30 minutes. It always makes that noise. I've never owned a BMW and just thought it was a quirk of the first year car.
And could the way we broke them in make any difference? I drove gently until 900 mls. Thats what my SA said to do. Could that have done it?

135iUSN · 03-06-2009, 09:12 AM

what tick... all I hear is the exhaust....

m_thompson · 03-06-2009, 09:43 AM

The dealer purged the lifters in the 328xi. That made the noise go away.

cagekicker · 03-06-2009, 10:35 AM

never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental".

peppebmw · 03-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental".

Depends what you consider first year. The N54 has been around in other BMW's. I've owned 3 first year model cars and had no problems. Then again they were out in Europe the year before. 02 A4 1.8T, 04 VW R32, and the One Series. Wonder if BMW made any changes between the '08's and '09's.

imported_mega · 03-06-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental".

the n54 has been around quite some time, it was not a 1st year vehicle

and the 1 platform has been sold in Europe for a few years

in fact, it's about to be replaced, the 1 series platform is in it's last years

Lucky1 · 03-06-2009, 11:25 AM

Not sure it applies here but my understand is that it isn't uncommon for some engines to tick. My Honda's engine has been ticking at idle since I bought it at 100,000 and it's at 167,000 now. I believe the valves tick and as part of Honda's recommended maintenance schedule you have the valves adjusted. I had mine adjusted and it got better but came back about 40,000km's later. I know this shouldn't happen on brand new cars but for me my engine has been ticking and it hasn't done anything bad.

M3R1 · 03-06-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental".

Mine is an 09' and does this everyday. It will come and go, from a loud tick to absolutly no tick (or visa-vera)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by peppebmw

Depends what you consider first year. The N54 has been around in other BMW's. I've owned 3 first year model cars and had no problems. Then again they were out in Europe the year before. 02 A4 1.8T, 04 VW R32, and the One Series. Wonder if BMW made any changes between the '08's and '09's.

gtaday51 · 03-07-2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental".

You sound like my dad man, chill out. He yelled that at me until he drove it. Then all was silenced.

lib · 03-07-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imported_mega

so drive it like you stole it, and you wont have this problem?

Not necessarily. It will just be less likely to occur.

I've made a point of getting the revs up a few times a week - partly due to this issue - and the ticking still shows up from time-to-time.

128CTGUY · 03-07-2009, 09:15 AM

So I too have the "tick." Do I bring it in for service or live with it? If I bring it in, will BMW do anything? Thoughts?

Guildenstern · 03-07-2009, 09:48 AM

I'm one of those people who has become Dealer shy thanks to years of bringing things to the dealer that I was SURE were warrenty issues and then getting a $120 bill for inspection and either a $500-700 quote for repair, or better "There's nothing wrong, cahshier is to the left." and all my cars seem to tick after I've had them a while.

I'd love to see the Tech Bulliten (or whatever BMW calls it) that diagnoses and resolves this problem before bothering my dealer.

03-06-2009, 01:02 AM	#1
lovemy1 Private 8 Rep 64 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	1 owners pls read if you have a ticking noise in your engine hey guys so what I have been able to find out from BMW today is that the cylinder shape is causing an air buildup in the valve which is causing this ticking noise.. supposebly it does not effect the engine damage wise but what BMW has done is remanufactured a new cylinder head that is shaped differently and has been replacing them in 1ers it seems like maybe this may end up being a recall type deal if they notice a lot of 1ers having the problem. I would love to know why after i took it in the first time they didnt realize that it was this but anyways i think ifyour car is making the noise it is worth it to be upgraded to the new valve...
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03-06-2009, 02:07 AM	#2
ichiban Colonel 94 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	do you have any notes from bmw that describes the noise?
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03-06-2009, 04:16 AM	#3
Templedogg Captain 49 Rep 799 Posts Drives: 135i, Trailblazer SS, 1934 PU Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lake Stevens, WA iTrader: (1)	Mine has a slight ticking sound at start up, almost like a stuck lifter in an old V8, but goes away...is that what yours was doing? __________________
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03-06-2009, 06:02 AM	#4
TP 135i Major 28 Rep 1,340 Posts Drives: 2008 135i SGM MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Finksburg, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 Acura Integra SE [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00] 2006 Porsche Cayman S [0.00] 1999 Toyota 4-Runner [0.00]	I just read a Tech Q&A in the latest issue of Bimmer magazine (May 2009). "What's this tickin' noise?" Apparently BMW hydraulic valve actuators "do not pump up all the way in the sort of normal low-rpm driving common in North America." They go on to say that "The noise does not indicate a problem that will damage the engine, nor does it happen to all cars. It depends on how you drive." They mention a bleed-down procedure to temporarily silence the noise, but imply it will return with low-rpm driving styles. BMW service information bulletin 11 09 07 was said to tell you how to do the bleed-down. Oh, by the way.....I, personally don't claim to know what the heck they are talkin' about....I'm just reporting what I've read. __________________ 2008 135i SGM
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03-06-2009, 06:47 AM	#5
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	so drive it like you stole it, and you wont have this problem? my foot is too the floor at least 25 times a day, I have no ticking noise __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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03-06-2009, 08:16 AM	#6
peppebmw Lieutenant 21 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: middle of CT iTrader: (1)	I have the ticking noise. Better stop driving like a wuss!! __________________ 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2021 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport S 2022 RE Continental GT 650
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03-06-2009, 08:31 AM	#7
Citizen Z Alpine Master 111 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: '08 135i AW Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (1)	I don't have the ticking noise and I'm WOT about 10x a day. __________________ Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727
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03-06-2009, 08:59 AM	#9
gtaday51 gone but not forgotten 35 Rep 985 Posts Drives: gone 135 - Hello 1M! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Big Apple iTrader: (0)	Is it a small ticking noise that accompanies the sound of idle? I thought that that was a pump or something. My car always makes that noise when it is at idle below 900 RPM. Hmm, so is it an air pocket in the cylinder? Thats sounds like it would cause damage. Guess i'll have to get it checked out. __________________ Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration don't fail me now.
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03-06-2009, 09:12 AM	#12
135iUSN 19 X5 1998 M Roadster 64 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: 135i Alpine White / Terra Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2009 135i [0.00]	what tick... all I hear is the exhaust.... __________________ '09 135i Dinan In BMW heaven 09.28.2022 - Stage 2/Alpine White w/Terracotta /High Gloss Black Trim/ZCW/ZPP/ZSP w/313's /CA/PDC/Steptronic/
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03-06-2009, 09:43 AM	#13
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	The dealer purged the lifters in the 328xi. That made the noise go away. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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03-06-2009, 10:35 AM	#14
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	never ,never, never buy the first year production of any vehicle. that has been said soo many times because it's true. i made that mistake once and only once. first year productions are "experimental". __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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03-06-2009, 11:25 AM	#17
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Honda Civic engine ticks too Not sure it applies here but my understand is that it isn't uncommon for some engines to tick. My Honda's engine has been ticking at idle since I bought it at 100,000 and it's at 167,000 now. I believe the valves tick and as part of Honda's recommended maintenance schedule you have the valves adjusted. I had mine adjusted and it got better but came back about 40,000km's later. I know this shouldn't happen on brand new cars but for me my engine has been ticking and it hasn't done anything bad.
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03-07-2009, 09:15 AM	#21
128CTGUY New Member 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 128i Black, Sport, 6sp Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hartford, CT iTrader: (0)	Tick..tock....what now? So I too have the "tick." Do I bring it in for service or live with it? If I bring it in, will BMW do anything? Thoughts?
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03-07-2009, 09:48 AM	#22
Guildenstern or Rosencrantz 11 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2008 Montego Blue 128i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 128i Coupe [0.00]	I'm one of those people who has become Dealer shy thanks to years of bringing things to the dealer that I was SURE were warrenty issues and then getting a $120 bill for inspection and either a $500-700 quote for repair, or better "There's nothing wrong, cahshier is to the left." and all my cars seem to tick after I've had them a while. I'd love to see the Tech Bulliten (or whatever BMW calls it) that diagnoses and resolves this problem before bothering my dealer.
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