Air con
 

Hi, had my car in garage for quick inspection to see if can locate ticking noise, the mechanic had good look/listen ramp up/ramp down etc, he seems to think the ticking might be coming from air con, he got me to switch air con on and he said it may be that it needs re gassing as he didn't hear the compressor kick in, (should i hear compressor) he listened directly to air con pump (I think) and said that is ticking. Told me to try re gassing....

RIGHT my own update,,, iv had another look listen myself and I am even more convinced it is the silver vacuum pump (top of engine at front) can I take it off and inspect and put back on or do I need gaskets etc...

Leeg, never heard of the Vacuum pump clicking only leaking (i'm definetly not an expert) but I have heard of Air Con compressor clicking when no/low gas. Is the clicking there when the air con is off?

Wouldn't it be easier for you to go to an Auto Air Con shop and ask them to check the gas and see if you have any leaks in the aircon system? You might have damaged the pipes which put a small leak in them when you did your oil change when all this started (since you said you had to "climb into the engine bay" in one of your other posts)

Rob

Hi rob, yes clicking/ticking there when air con off, it's not there when engine is cold, noise starts when car is at normal running temp (gauge half way) had it looked at buy a couple different Indy garages now and none can pinpoint it so think it's going to be prosses of elimination, iv just purchesed a cheap vacuum pump from eBay, swap them over and see if any difference, in mean time wile I'm waiting will get air con checked..

These things are sent to try us, and God dam this is trying me.ha.
Hate these types of problems, (if any) I much prefer somthing to break then can fix/replace it and move on. :)

Yep, certainly try us.

Did you do the screwdriver trick?

Put the blade end of the screw driver on the Vacuum Pump, the other end to your ear. If it is very loud, then that is the pump.

You could try that on other components to.

Its like a stethoscope and does help pinpoint the noise.

In one of your posts, you had a video. The clicking was coming more near the oil filter unit (right side when looking from front) different to where the vacuum pump location is (left side). The only other thing near that side (going by the video) is the alternator and I have heard stories of people accidently dropping oil in it. Some don't like it.

Rob

Yes did the screwdriver thing, couldn't reach too far as screwdriver was only about 10 inches long, the only thing I could get the same noise from was vacuum pump, I put screwdriver on top of pump heard slight noise, put screwdriver on right side of pump and same noise but a lot louder,( it as if somthing inside pump is catching on somthing every rotation,) very carfull when pulling oil filter out and when topping up but I can't honestly say I DID NOT spill a bit but not that I noticed or can notice now on or near alternator, the investergation continues.
I'm probably going to look a right lemon when/if it gets found its probably nowhere near vacuum pump, ha, Ha.

Know how you feel... I have had an issue for 4 years after an oil change (what I presume, coincidental). Once the car gets to normal temperature, if feels slightly sluggish. Change a few sensors, cleaned EGR, replaced MAF, changed turbo vacuum control, turbo checked out 100% all on advice of a few good people and of course no codes are being thrown. A few BMW mechanics have stated they do notice the change in the performance, that there is definitely an issue but since no codes are thrown it would be a long process (and expensive) to locate the issue and to just wait until it gets worse. 4 years down the track, its not getting worse, but the issue is still there

Anyway, I hope you get yours sorted soon.. At least you have a noise to track down :rolleyes:

WOW 4 years mate, seems like the x,s are like a proper lady, need constant attention, very sensitive, high matainence, and when there is a problem and ask what's wrong the answer is nothing but you no deep down there is somthing wrong that you will pay for eventually. Ha, don't get me wrong I enjoy spending money on her but there is nothing worse than spending on parts just trying to find the issue. I feel for you mate that would have put me in a "nut house/loony bin/mental instertution," after 4 years.

:iagree:

Yep and being black, when she gets mud or muck over her, she gets call "Dirty B**ch". Only now and again I go delving into the issue, but all that preventative maintenance that's been done on it trying to find the problem, least I am assured most things that usually fail have been replaced.

Well iv changed the vacuum pump and its not that causing the ticking, ""it was a bit off a shot in the dark"", :( before I continue to throw money at it I'm just going to wait and see if it gets worse, ( hopefully it won't be 4 years+ like your issue rbo135 ;) ) I really want to pamper her with headlight upgrade/wheels etc but I just can't justify it wile there is a issue, the few mechanics have told me not to worry about it as ITs definitely not serious ( I suppose only time will tell) I hope the little gremlin shows itself soon without major damage.....