Ticking sound from my M42 [Youtube video]
 

Hello everyone,

Recently (since it's summer here and I started driving with windows down) I noticed this weird ticking sound coming from my engine.

With performance chip installed, the sound was there all the time and it didn't seem to change with increased RPMs. As soon as I put o2 relay back, it just started to tick faster. This is the sound I had with a chip installed and o2 relay removed - https://youtu.be/W7yPRWBXm0E

So as soon as I noticed this ticking, I installed the stock chip back and thought that the sound disappeared, but I keep hearing it sometimes after driving and it goes away after a few secs of idling.

I'm currently using 5w40 fully synthetic oil (on the dipstick it is a bit above the middle between min and max). Just replaced all spark plugs as well as valve cover gasket, since one plug was leaking.

This is my first car and I'm lost on what could be making this sound. Please help.

It sounds like an exhaust leak. You're saying it doesn't change based on RPM??

Thanks for your response. Actually, one time I noticed that the ticking got faster when I increased rpm's.

Where should I take a look to see if it's really an exhaust leak? It seems like this sound is coming from engine bay ant not anywhere under the car.

Also if something is leaking, shouldn't the sound be there all the time? It sometimes disappears and reappears after a while and I have no idea what triggers it.

It's my first car, so sorry if I don't understand something.

edit: also I don't hear this sound when inside the car.

No, you're right, if it's coming from that side of the engine, then it's less likely to be an exhaust leak.

What we don't want is a rod knock and it does sound a bit like that. For now, let's put rod knock at the bottom of the list because if it is, then you will need to scrap that engine.

You mentioned 5w30. Is that something you changed recently too? How many miles/hours are on the engine? If it's a lot, it could be you need a heavier oil. I don't know the M44 well but I can say my M50/52 engines like a very heavy oil. In both my M50 race car and M52 track car (and daily driver), I need to use 20w50; Otherwise the oil pressure gets too low under track conditions.

We can search for others that characterize the sounds from their m44 as "ticking" and "knocking" and see what turns up.

In the meantime see if you can get a consensus on the oil weight you should be using. Maybe just put a heavy oil in and see if it changes. Then we could potentially rule out a mechanical reason and look for a leak or something. Make sense?

I think this is it:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...g-acceleration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMxiV3oudE

I've watched a video on rebuilding this thing but I can't find it. Search for M44 DISA valve. This makes sense.

I'm currently using 5w40 fully synthetic oil, changed it as soon as I bought the car - about 6k km ago. Engine has 238k, but I'm not sure if it's true, since in my country most people reduce the mileage before selling cars (sucks, I know).

The sound comes from engine bay, but it's coming from the middle/right, so I will check if maybe my manifold is leaking, read about the DISA valve and will change the oil.

Could you recommend me which oil should I use? Considering that we have pretty cold winters (up to -30C sometimes and hot summers +30C)

Yes, where I'm from is very north too. Very similar weather. (Minnesota). It would be great to visit your country sometime. I've been privileged to attend a number of Lithuanian choir concerts. The sounds they introduced me to are so different from here. It was great.

I've seen a number of threads saying 5w30 is fine. I guess the manual says 10w40. I've also seen a consensus of using 10w40 in winter and 15w50 in summer. That sounds good. Especially for a well used engine.

Oh, I realized that I never mentioned the power. It hasn't gone anywhere and still pulls pretty good for a 318ti. With stock chip idle is smooth, stays at around 700rpm and doesnt pulse. I've been driving like this for few months with no problems except that annoying sound.

I'd start with a look at the ignition system, making sure that the plugs and wires look clean.

Is this manual? I've heard of a warped or uneven flywheel causing a noise like this.

It is a manual.

I sometimes notice strong gasoline smell coming out of exhaust. Thinking it might be misfiring. Do you guys think misfire could cause such a loud ticking sound?

Although as I mentioned, there is no power loss so I'm not sure.