clicking/ticking noise (video and pics inside)

[jmills07]

hello everyone, first off i want to send thanks for this wonderful helpful forum, i have searched before i posted this, hell i even went to youtube to find and listen to all types of m62tu's engine sounds, i just couldnt find the sound mine is making. Ok let me start i have a 2003 x5 E53 4.4, with regular maintenance except any timing guides which the previous owner said he had done under his care. So the problem im getting a ticking/clicking noise coming from under the truck. i used a stethoscope to try to pin point noise. the noise is loudest coming from the upper oil pan/sump area kind of right behind and under the AC. the half moon shaped print is where circled, i think the oil pump sprocket is behind it. This ticking noise seems to appear after operating temps at idle, neutral, and in drive (under certain load) no warning lights or ses light and doesnt effect driving. i removed the lower oil pan, but its clean as a whistle, no plastic pieces in pan, engine parts look very clean. i need some help be fore i go haywire, im sorry if this been discussed i just havent had any success finding any answers. please all advise will be appreciated, thanks in advance.


heres the video of noise, cell video was crappy but noise is point on.
https://youtu.be/EaTaQnonJQ0

this is where the noise is directly coming from (red circle)

[jmills07]

bump, any help out there?

[David.X5]

That lump is where the oil pump sits. It is driven by a short chain from the crank. The pump sprocket and pump mounting bolts are know to work themselves loose. There is a service bulletin. Stethoscopes aren't the most precise - that location is also close to where the timing guides are (middle front) so I wouldn't rule them out.

You have removed the "lower oil pan". The next layer is the "upper oil pan" that covers the oil pump.

If it is bad only at operating temps, I would suspect the pump itself

[jmills07]

hey david, thanks for the response i really appreciate it. I know right, the stethoscope still requires you to triple check, but i did make sure to check multiple places to see where the noise is the loudest i thought it was the timing chain myself but there was not much noise in that area, but can hear the tc rotating. Yea the irritating noise is only present at operating temps, i figured it was the oil pump i was hoping for something different would a failing oil pump make those ticking noises, or something maybe loose? i ask cause, i want to be prepared to order the right parts. BTW anymore advice is appreciated, i also searched for a DIY to get to the oil pump on 2003 E53 x5, but couldnt find any, i have noticed the E38 and E39 oil pump location is a little different, but the E53 4.6 and 4.4 are in the same location. someone with more experience than me can help me in this situation pls.

[David.X5]

You're welcome. There isn't very good documentation. The Bentley manual is flat wrong on this one - it says you can access the oil pump with just the lower oil pan removed, but you can see that the E53 variant requires you to remove the upper oil pan, too. There is a chance the sprocket or pump is just loose (and that is a known problem), but if you are going that far into it, I would be ready to replace the oil pump.

[jmills07]

yea i might as well pick up an oil pump too, guess its a good time to inspect axles, tie rods, bushing, control arms, wheel bearing. i just hate to go so deep into this beast cause i find myself accidentally braking brittle pieces thats just waiting for me to touch it...lol oh welp, anyone have tips on dropping the subframe? will i need a engine support bar or a engine hoist? i will be using jack stands will i have enough clearance?