M62TU Knocking Noise
 

Hi guys,

My X5 has been doing a strange noise when warmed, which is like a knocking sound that started about 6 thousand miles ago when I switched to a full synthetic oil (Mobil 1 5W-30). Last owner was using Castrol Magnatec 20W-50 (very common in my country and weather) for a long time, and when I did the switch it seems she didn't like it after 4k miles.

After that, I switched back to the same oil that was using the last owner, but didn't make any difference. I still get this noise when warmed.

I've seen a lot of other videos and some refers to chain and guides work, others to VANOS rebuild, and some to vacuum leaks (something that I have had before with this vehicle).

As a prevented measure I've changed the following parts:

- Tensioner to a new one with the revised version, however it didn't make any difference either.
- Oil to a heavier weight (My car has 214.000 kms)
- New spark plugs (Bosch)
- Throttle Body and PCV to Intake Manifold New Gaskets.
- Fuel Injectors ultrasound cleaning.
- New PCV OEM
- New Cam Position Sensors (both had the wire too exposed due to heat and age)
- New Water Pump
- New Thermostat
- New Belts
- Almost every single hose from cooling system was replaced
- Coolant Expansion Tank and Cap


As far as I can remember those are the main things in the engine bay that were replaced in the last 13k miles since I own this car.

I haven't replaced intake manifold gaskets that go to cylinders, or upper engine part. The car starts fine, but has a rough idle, it doesn't feel smooth as silk as I expected it to be.

Engine mounts are fine just in case.

So, I have no clues of what exactly is going on with this engine.
If anyone knows please let me know.

Thanks

Here a video of my engine doing the noise described above:
https://youtu.be/5rgQGshpBJ0

I'm sure many other members will ask the same question, but have you scanned for errors yet?

Hi kvc,

Actually I bought a scanner long time ago because it was way too expensive to keep bringing my car to a shop for a scan every time I had issues. So, long story short... yes, it was scanned. My scanner cable lives in my glove box and I always carry my laptop, so I know pretty much all the errors she had since when I bought her.

There are no DME errors at all, not a single one, not CEL either. Nothing related to engine at least none reported by any module.

That's the weird thing. Car pulls very strong all the time and in high revs or above 3000 rpms you can't hear this noise. I don't know if it's because other normal noises are louder or what, but it's like that.

I opened the oil cap with the car off and tried to move or pull the chains from bank 1 (VANOS and timing one) with my fingers and there is not noticeable play.

I don't know if a noise like this can be caused by vacuum leaks, because when I start my car (cold) it doesn't sound like that at all. Just when it gets to op temperature.

So I'm out of clues and I don't want to buy and throw parts to it (timing chain, guides and stuff, plus labor) just to know it wasn't causing the noise.

I had a similar knocking sound. I replaced the passenger side timing chain tensioner first because it was easy to get to. That helped for a while. Then the sound came back. Then I replaced the solenoid check valves that help keep oil properly flowing to the VANOS system. That helped too. But ultimately I did the full timing chain and chain guide replacement. All the knocking sound went away.


Flatlander

Just curious, are the "Mobil 1 5W-30 or Castrol Magnatec 20W-50 on the approved oil list? Or are they full SAPS oils at a minimum?

Also a "common oil for region" is hardly grounds for using, if it's not on the approved manufacturer list.

I've run Mobil 1 0w-40 EuroCar (BMW approved, full SAPS, LL-01 spec) for the last +100k miles (over 200k on the engine, TX/FL operation). This is considered a "thin" oil for Texas/Florida heat. The only time I would consider a 20w-50 oil would be for an endurance racing engine, too thick at start-up!

Tiag knows his ish, but I use 20w50 almost exclusively (used 0w20 in my Mustang GT that was purchased new) in my bimmers... I've never had any problems over my fleet of 10 over 10 years in the Texas heat. YMMV though of course. That said, in the X5 and X3 I just got some Valvoline Full synth 10w30 on sale for a ludicrous price so that went into the X5 and X3 recently.

Your knocking noise, unfortunately, sounds like a classic case of chain guides/rails failing. Check it out before continuing to drive it. Drop the lower pan and have a gander to see if you have bits of guides/plastic in there.

Thank you guys for sharing your experience and responses. I do think I'll need timing work soon. I'm actually going to order the stuff probably this next week.

I've to say that the oil has helped a lot to reduce the noise mainly at cold start ups but I don't believe it's the solution at all.

I'll let you know how it goes after the work. I'm not using the X that much so I'm not in a hurry. I "borrowed" my wife's car in the meantime. :)

I have a same kind noise on my m62, and only when the engine is warm. Both VANOS units has swapped about 2 years ago with the tensioners and the guides. Some days it's a little louder and the other days a little bit quieter. Could the vanos solenoids produce this kind sound? And if the solenoid fails, should it throw error codes? Is it possible that the oil flow is disturbed without any VANOS related error codes? I found video on Youtube with a comment that one should check the valve cover gaskets. Why, how those gaskets could trigger that sound?

Change the vanos seals in the VANOS gear unit and all noise shall cease. You can get the VANOS seal set through Besian.

I don't wanna believe that 2 years old the original teile VANOS-units seals are already toasted. :confused:
However the original teile 2 years old valve cover gaskets are showing some oil leaking symptoms to the spark plug housing...both sides :rolleyes: