SOLVED - E53 4.8is ticking noise - valves?

[pw44]

Hi all,
after lot of investigation, the reason was found: one defective spark coil and defective MAF.
After changing the coil, noise is gone, but the engine sometimes dies when idle. I guess this is due the defective MAF.
The MAF i ordered and will also be replaced, and see if the problem with motor cutting of when idle is gone.
Thx all who tried to help.
Best regards!


Hi dear fellow experts,
my E53 4.8is year 2006 begun some weeks ago with an ticking noise, that i'm not being able to diagnose.
This noise shows up when gear is engaged (D or R) and mostly when under 2,000 rpm.
The noise is not constant, but floating (comes and goes) depending of rotation change.
When gear is N or P, it does not shows up.
Anyone with such experience and with some hint what it could be and how to fix it?
The video shows it, having gear in D (braked) and then no ticking after gear was put in P.
tickingnoise - YouTube
Thanks in advance and best regards
PW44

[Big "J"]

Weird.... a diesel like rattling sound when idle but, when in drive its reduced to almost nothing.

Are you getting any check engine lights or codes from the ECU?

Edit: sorry misread your part about it being in drive or park.... almost sounds like its an oil pump dying?

[pw44]

No lights and no codes from ECU. Zero error.
The noise only show up under 2,000 RPM, and when engaged.... and not allways. Under 2,000 RPM; when engaged (D or R), warm motor, and after driving some miles.

[Big "J"]

Very strange.... need to narrow down the area where the rattling is coming from. Can you tell if its more apparent on the top of the engine, coming from the valve cover area or if its more from under the car around the oil pan/ crankshaft area?
Intermediate levers, timing chain guides or noisey valves are typically from the top of the engine and crankshaft, piston rod bearings and oil pump make noises from the bottom of the engine.

If you're able... try putting in a thicker oil (10w-40 or similar) and see if it eliminates or reduces the rattle?

Hope others have better information...sorry?

[pezho405]

hmm sounds slightly like mine but not to that extent. Hows the chain tensioners doing?

[electricalserv x5]

what kind of oil are you using?sound like lifter[tappeting] not enough oil circulating to heads............is it more from the paaseger side engine? BE CAREFUL...........

[bcredliner]

An engine problem is usually more pronounced when there is a load on the engine as yours does when you have it in D or R. However, usually you can hear some level of noise at least intermittently when the transmission is in neutral or park. This sounds like an engine bottom end issue but not can't be half way sure. Is the noise louder with a cold engine start up? Can you make it happen in N by revving the engine and letting back down to an idle? Even though it does not sound through those speakers like a transmission issue it could be since the noise is only apparent when the X is in gear. There are other drivetrain problems that could cause a noise, not usually like this, but that is for the Indy shop.

Are you having any other symtoms of an engine problem or transmission issue?

I agree with Big J. Get yourself a stethoscope at the local auto parts store or take a long ratchet extension and put the end that goes to the ratchet to your ear and see if you can find where the noise is the loudest. You will likely hear it from several locations but it will be clear to you when you find the source. Don't try to hold the X with the emergency brake, have someone assist you. You need to be on a hoist to search below so start on top. I would start with the metal part of the dipstick and then the oil fill tube. Anytime you hear the noise search around that area to see if you can pinpoint it. If you can't find it on top it is time to take it to a go indy shop for diagnosis. Can you check for fault codes?

[pw44]

Originally Posted by electricalserv x5

what kind of oil are you using?sound like lifter[tappeting] not enough oil circulating to heads............is it more from the paaseger side engine? BE CAREFUL...........

I'm using mobil 0W40 synthetic.

[pw44]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

An engine problem is usually more pronounced when there is a load on the engine as yours does when you have it in D or R. However, usually you can hear some level of noise at least intermittently when the transmission is in neutral or park.

Only happens when in D or R.

This sounds like an engine bottom end issue but not can't be half way sure. Is the noise louder with a cold engine start up?

There is no noise with cold engine. Only when it's warms.

Can you make it happen in N by revving the engine and letting back down to an idle? Even though it does not sound through those speakers like a transmission issue it could be since the noise is only apparent when the X is in gear. There are other drivetrain problems that could cause a noise, not usually like this, but that is for the Indy shop.

Are you having any other symtoms of an engine problem or transmission issue?

No other symptoms on transmission or engine.

I agree with Big J. Get yourself a stethoscope at the local auto parts store or take a long ratchet extension and put the end that goes to the ratchet to your ear and see if you can find where the noise is the loudest. You will likely hear it from several locations but it will be clear to you when you find the source. Don't try to hold the X with the emergency brake, have someone assist you. You need to be on a hoist to search below so start on top. I would start with the metal part of the dipstick and then the oil fill tube. Anytime you hear the noise search around that area to see if you can pinpoint it. If you can't find it on top it is time to take it to a go indy shop for diagnosis. Can you check for fault codes?

When in N or P and i rev up the engine, to 4k, 6k rpm and there is the noise (very little) when it rev down, near 1k rpm and then no noise.

Thx for helping.

[frozenwaffles]

My transmission was making the exact same noises for a while after I rebuilt the valve body. it quietened down after a little while but still occasionally shows up for a little while, then goes again....