4.6is noise..
 

Hello,

This is my first post here (sadly), I'm from the UK and have just acquired an E53 4.6is.

One thing I've noticed is it's making a slightly odd noise, I've made a video and wondered if anyone could tell me what it may be, before I start worrying.

Video: https://youtu.be/5iuMBfyRGS8

Any help would be greatly appreciated, if I can add anymore info, please let me know.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi mate

Struggling to hear what noise you're referring to I'm afraid. Perhaps let us know at what point in the video the noise is made?

Sorry, I probably should've explained better. Each time I rev the engine, as the revs settle you can hear a "knock knock knock" just before it reaches idle again.

Sort of a diesel sounding noise..

Ok now you've explained I can hear it faintly. Can you get a closer clearer vid? Knock knock knock noises are definitely not good and usually related to the bottom end of the engine.

Does it do it when cold or just when warm?

Also when the engine is on the run down and coming off the revs this sounds like little end issues although this isn't what I'd call common on these engines.

There's also the infamous chain guide noises that sound like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZFX-T9hsFE

I can try and get a better video tomorrow, that was the phone being held on the floor by the front wheel.

Although I'm struggling to locate the noise, it sounded like it was coming from the top left of the engine, but I couldnt be sure.

What does little end mean?

It is odd as it seems to only do it when revving it slightly as I did in the video, it isn't very obvious.

Get a long screwdriver and hold the handle end to your ear and touch the other end of the screwdriver to various areas of the engine as the engine is being revved. That should help you locate whereabouts on the engine the noise maybe coming from.

Little end refers to the bearing that the gudgeon pin in the pistons fits into and rotates around.

http://raanz.org.nz/wiki/uploads/TM/tmfig057.png

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

Usually if it's big end or main bearing the knocking occurs as the engine is revving up rather than dropping back down and it's louder.

Vanos repair. Once you are in there you might as well do the timing guides and tensioner and chain.

How about starting from basics. Do you know when was the last oil change and what type / viscosity was used. If not sure or even if you have the receipt from PO, I'd try good quality 5W-30 or 5W-40 and good quality oil filter.
Also, draining oil could give you some clues (hopefully no shavings or TC guide pieces)
You could also drop the oil pan at the same time and you'd be out cost of oil change and oil pan gasket.
Of course, if you find pieces in the pan, you wouldn't be changing oil just yet.

Agreed, drop the oil pan first and inspect before opening her up

After listening to a few videos, I've found one that was confirmed vanos, before I knew this, I was convinced this was my issue, it sounds identical to mine.

The sound isn't there from cold, it comes as it's warming then gets quieter.

As soon as Xmas is out of the way, she will get an oil service and I will ask them to check the oil pan. I don't seem to get any rattle from cold that I've noticed, but we shall see.

Also, it appears the previous owner was running 10w40, is this an issue?