06 X5 clicking/ticking sound

[bmw_jeff_X5]

Doubt it's vanos.....coming from middle passenger side of engine......2nd opinion right now is oil flush and see what happens.....using M1 0W40 this time for oil change.

[bmw_jeff_X5]

I figured I would keep following this issue through since someone else may run into a similar problem in the future:

I just had engine "cleaning" done a few hours ago with this:
BG Quick Clean for Engines | BG Products, Inc.
and then an oil change with Mobil1 0W40 full synthetic (Previous this vehicle had been running on BMW Oil exclusively as all changes had been at the dealerships in the area..even previous to my ownership starting at 29K miles). They also added this to the new oil after the change:
BG MOA® | BG Products, Inc.

Both BG products came in a "kit". When they drained my old oil after running the cleaner in the engine for 10 minutes the guy showed me how dark the oil was. Remember this oil was BMW 5W40 that I only changed about a 1000 miles ago so I knew it certainly did something.

UNFORTUNATELY, Throughout the process and when I left the place the clicking/ticking sound was still in full effect. I pretty much told myself I would now just have to bite the bullet and change the lifters @ $2800 . I decided to push the car a bit and got it up to 70 mph for a few minutes. Stop light. Did the same thing again. etc. By the time I got back to my office....holy crap the clicking/ticking is gone!!!!!!!!!!
I still didn't get too excited...went back out a few hours later to go to a meeting.......still GONE!

[LVP]

Interesting. I have a can of cleaner I've been waffling on using. Next oil change I plan to drop the pan, do the gasket and check for plastic/metal bits. Might do the oil cleaner right before that change.

[bmw_jeff_X5]

#}!!!!%^**?.....false alarm....click is back!!!!

[bmw_jeff_X5]

Tuesday appointment at a local Indy.... I concede defeat....$1953 out the door for replacing all 24 lifters,head gasket etc.....anybody keeping track that's 37% less than the dealer!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bmw_jeff_X5

Tuesday appointment at a local Indy.... I concede defeat....$1953 out the door for replacing all 24 lifters,head gasket etc.....anybody keeping track that's 37% less than the dealer!

Keep us posted. It'd be interesting to see the failed lifter to see if we can tell what happened.

Also, there's a lot of "while you're in there" type stuff to consider like new plugs. I'd hope the Indy wouldn't charge you extra labor, just parts for the new plugs.

[bmw_jeff_X5]

The click/ticking is now gone again...for the longest period of being "back to normal" since it occurred....completely normal over about 5 starts/short trips since yesterday around noon....engine sounds completely normal as an engine should with only 44K miles!!!!......I'm calling the Indy shop in a bit to discuss...I had planned on dropping the X off tonight.

[bcredliner]

The sound of a hydraulic lifter that has gone dry is quite distinctive. I would not expect a decent Indy to get that wrong. Did the Indy listen to the sound and also check the computer for codes?

The "ticking" noise does not always mean the lifter is bad. Since it comes and goes, it could be that the oil flow to the lifter is restricted. That can happen even with good lifters. The ticking will usually rear it's head during extended highway speeds and can go away with extended idling to allow the lifter to prime or after the engine has not been run for awhile. In the past, I have confirmed there is a lifter problem by revving the engine when the noise is present, generally it gets much louder and gradually quiets done some when the engine is idling.

Running a cleaner through the engine doesn't always cure the restriction or it it may later after some driving. Trying to correct the problem with an out of recommended weight range oil is not a good solution. Even if it works it only masks the problem.

If is a bad idea to run an engine with a lifter that has gone dry or is acting up for many mile as that means that valve is not opening and closing properly. That can lead to more serious engine damage or cause other problems with stuff like O2 sensors or cats.

[bmw_jeff_X5]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Trying to correct the problem with an out of recommended weight range oil is not a good solution. Even if it works it only masks the problem.

If is a bad idea to run an engine with a lifter that has gone dry or is acting up for many mile as that means that valve is not opening and closing properly. That can lead to more serious engine damage or cause other problems with stuff like O2 sensors or cats.

Thanks for the insight. I'm running Mobil1 0W40 right now which is approved LL01 so its NOT "out of recommended weight range". The BG engine clean WAS and attempt to correct the problem though....as I indicated previously.

The Indy used an auto stethoscope on Friday AM and based on his experience and what he was hearing he thought it was the lifters. Again, the local dealer diagnosed lifters previously. This Indy is very respected in the Hartford area and they specifically deal in BMW, Mercedes and Audi. That's all that is sitting out front right now...except for an 80's Ferrari 308

I was told the sound was the camshaft hitting a stuck lifter(s). Yes it became louder when hitting the gas as you describe also. I spoke to the Indy a short time ago..."Call me if the sound comes back...maybe whatever it was became dislodged....". I assume now that perhaps the "restriction" is in my filter or hopefully heading there.
After all this back and forth I am not holding up hopes. Lets see what happens when I drive home tonight and then drive back to work tomorrow.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bmw_jeff_X5

Thanks for the insight. I'm running Mobil1 0W40 right now which is approved LL01 so its NOT "out of recommended weight range". The BG engine clean WAS and attempt to correct the problem though....as I indicated previously.

The Indy used an auto stethoscope on Friday AM and based on his experience and what he was hearing he thought it was the lifters. Again, the local dealer diagnosed lifters previously. This Indy is very respected in the Hartford area and they specifically deal in BMW, Mercedes and Audi. That's all that is sitting out front right now...except for an 80's Ferrari 308

I was told the sound was the camshaft hitting a stuck lifter(s). Yes it became louder when hitting the gas as you describe also. I spoke to the Indy a short time ago..."Call me if the sound comes back...maybe whatever it was became dislodged....". I assume now that perhaps the "restriction" is in my filter or hopefully heading there.
After all this back and forth I am not holding up hopes. Lets see what happens when I drive home tonight and then drive back to work tomorrow.

Yes, the sound is from hitting the camshaft. The reason it does rather than riding on it is that the lifter does not have enough oil in it to stay in contact with the camshaft as it should (hydraulic pressure is too low).

I'd say you have good Indy and a great plan.