318iC annoying tick

[Jed the Fred]

Whenever I start my car my engine will tick for about 7-10 seconds then stops. After driving a few miles it will tick even louder and ticking speed matches with my rpms. It also stops ticking randomly and comes back. I know m42's have self adjusting valves or what not but any ideas??

[roguetoaster]

Ticking if frequently associated with a timing chain tensioner (an oil pressurized piston with a spring, very similar to a valve lifter in function) failure. Not saying it can't be lifters or an oil pressure issue, but neither of those is as likely.

Essentially, if you have not replaced the tensioner you might want to do so now. All you need to do is remove the 19mm cap on the passenger side of the timing cover and install the new one. Of course there is conflict as to methodology of installation, some say install compressed (as the manual says) and rev the engine for ~30s to extend it, others say install it extended. Take your pick, either will get the job done.

[ele1122]

I've replaced my tensioner, and my timing chain and gears looked fine when I looked at them, but I experience a ticking/clicking noise. Any thoughts? I'm using Shell Rotella 5w40 oil.

[Dj Buttchug]

go up in oil weight.

[bmwm42]

Oil pump is shit

[TobyB]

or there's a leak in your oil filter housing somewhere that's allowing oil to leak down.

It only takes a small air bubble to make a lifter (technically, lash adjuster) sound like hell.

Over or underfilling the oil can do it too. ANY way that air gets in, it seems to find its
way into the lash adjusters...

t

[kwill22]

go up in oil weight.

[ele1122]

What oil? Recommendations are all over the place. I've heard 5w40, 10w40, 15w50, 20w50.

I have an oil change coming up, would 10w40 be good?

[kwill22]

10w40 pr 15w40should be fine. Most weights lower will tick after you put them through a fewcycles. A little tick at startup isn't bad but should go away pretty quickly once the oil pressure is up. Talking seconds here

[asmir]

i use 15-50 and works great in va

[Bmr]

I recommend Castrol GTX part synthetic 10w40. I had lifter tick before and now at most times 0 noise.

Sent from my SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

[ele1122]

I'm thinking 10w40 would be good for MD winter... 20-30 degrees or less sometimes. Right now I might switch to 15w50 because it's around 85 degrees.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[kwill22]

I use Mobil 10w40 almost year round and 15w40 when i can find it. They only sell it across town and I'm in Florida. Full synthetic also and no noise. 90's everyday but it also depends on the condition of your engine