06 X5 clicking/ticking sound
 

Just completed a 5 hour + road trip and a fairly loud ticking/clicking sound has developed from the top of the passenger side of the engine. Thoughts?

What's loud?

Hear it in the car loud?
Hear it when the engine compartment is closed closed loud?
Hear it when it's open loud?

I have the same engine in my car - and I've been wondering what a normal level of noise should be.

What engine I'm on my phone and can't see signature

The OP's signature says:

Current BMW's:
2006 E53 X5 3.0i
2014 E84 X1 xDrive 28i
Past BMW's:
2001 E46 325i
2001 E46 330ci
2003 E39 525i
2008 E70 X5 3.0i

Yes...3.0i....incredibly just took a quick trip to pickup takeout and it is now gone????

It was very noticeable with the windows down and driving....again now gone.

How's your oil level.

Quick Check................Your oil full cap is there oil around it ,is your SES light on?
If so You have a vacuum leak of the major level .....................LOOK AT THE engine and below...............oil leaking?

Check the OIL FILL CAP............is there oil leaking around it? if so Your engine will miss fire and send codes to the DME............I had the same thing happen this week ..............

Were you running it hard? My 328i develops a "tapping/clacking" noise after i beat it at the track. I overfill the oil a bit and even then, it still happens from time to time. I leave it running for usually 3-5min and it settles down and goes away. For peace of mind I installed oil temp/pressure gauges that I monitor closely as well. Next time you hear it, see if it settles after a few minutes when you've stopped at idle. And let us know what your oil level was at :)