Clicking/Ticking sound in engine? RESOLVED

[maniz]

Mine used to do it 9/10 times after having been parked for several hours. I first noticed it the morning after bringing it home (62 miles on the engine). I thought perhaps it was normal until searching online and finding this thread, among others.

After over a month, I finally recorded a detailed video of the sound and sent it to my SA who shared it with the foreman and the latter called and discussed it with me at length, asking several questions. He agreed it did sound like the VVT motor in the video and asked me to leave it with them overnight so they could replicate it in the AM.

That ended up being the 1/10 occasion when the car didn't make the noise after a prolonged rest period. The foreman replaced the VVT motor anyway because "it was the sensible thing to do". He even engaged BMW's regional engineer and got him on the same page. Per them, the same VVT is used in N55 and several other engines as well but only the S55 seems to experience this issue; could have to do with the different tolerances but who knows...

I did send the foreman and my SA gift cards afterwards as a token of my gratitude. They could've easily used the "could not replicate" excuse as dealers often do.

[again613]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

My (now ex-)dealer closed it out 2x saying they couldn't reproduce and it was "normal" for the car's systems to make noise when activating/shutting down despite me giving them a video of the clicking sound. After the second time they had the car for 4 days, they admitted when I picked it up that they couldn't even open the video, so hadn't used it in their diagnosis! I sent it to BMW USA along with a whole list of complaints over how this dealer behaves and they're looking into it.

Have you solved this issue yet? I noticed your location is Bay Area CA, me too. Last two weeks I went to Stevens Creek BMW and parked my car there for two weeks. They told me no any sound they can duplicate and no need take any action. I don't know this sound is a real issue or not, any impact on performance? Why the dealer doesn't want to fix it.
Anyway, this Friday I make another appointment with Fremont BMW, hopefully they can figure it out. If your car is fixed, may I know which dealer you work with?

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by again613

Have you solved this issue yet? I noticed your location is Bay Area CA, me too. Last two weeks I went to Stevens Creek BMW and parked my car there for two weeks. They told me no any sound they can duplicate and no need take any action. I don't know this sound is a real issue or not, any impact on performance? Why the dealer doesn't want to fix it.
Anyway, this Friday I make another appointment with Fremont BMW, hopefully they can figure it out. If your car is fixed, may I know which dealer you work with?

Responded to your PM - same dealer. Will never use Stevens Creek again. If my car broke down in their lot I would pay to have it towed somewhere else I'm probably also going to give Fremont a try once I hear back from BMW USA.

[again613]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Responded to your PM - same dealer. Will never use Stevens Creek again. If my car broke down in their lot I would pay to have it towed somewhere else I'm probably also going to give Fremont a try once I hear back from BMW USA.

QUOTE by again613?
Have you solved this issue yet? I noticed your location is Bay Area CA, me too. Last two weeks I went to Stevens Creek BMW and parked my car there for two weeks. They told me no any sound they can duplicate and no need take any action. I don't know this sound is a real issue or not, any impact on performance? Why the dealer doesn't want to fix it.
Anyway, this Friday I make another appointment with Fremont BMW, hopefully they can figure it out. If your car is fixed, may I know which dealer you work with?


Responded to your PM - same dealer. Will never use Stevens Creek again. If my car broke down in their lot I would pay to have it towed somewhere else I'm probably also going to give Fremont a try once I hear back from BMW USA.

Thanks for your quick response.let us see after checking with Fremont BMW tomorrow, I will keep update with you.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by Xtabi

Thank you for sharing this it is great info. I have heard intermittent clicking. However I can't confirm if it's the same sound as yours because I don't see the video you posted. Is anyone else not seeing it? All I see is one picture on the op.

I had this EXACT problem on my 2016 X5. THANK YOU THANK YOU!

[Xtabi]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I had this EXACT problem on my 2016 X5. THANK YOU THANK YOU!

How was it resolved?

[THEROK]

Heard this exact same noise first time this AM, '18 with 4K miles. Car was sitting for a couple of days. Clicked unlock button on fob. Tap tap tap tap tap tap.

Nothing else unusual whatsoever.

Any updates from those that got the v motor replaced? I'm one of those that doesn't want anyone messing with car unless it's truly necessary, even so called certified techs.

Thanks.

[Perp]

Looks like I have the same noise/issue on my M2. Noticed it since I got it but thought it was normal until I saw this thread

[m4 java green]

I have the same issue. I have a 2018 ZCP with less that 1k miles...

[wdskukm3]

So that only happens after you open and close the door. I know my car only make that one noise and stops once my door is open or close.

[Grahamdesign]

I had the exact same issue with the valvetronic motor control clicking when I opened the door, trunk or hood. Very intermittent. I had to bring also had to open a PUMA case. it in 2 times and I recorded the clicking on 5 different occasions. My BMW deal also opened a PUMA case. Fortunately my shop experienced the clicking once. BMW sent a filed engineer. They are now replacing the valvetronic motor control. They had had my car for 14 days. Luckily my loaner was a 2018 5.

[drexplode]

ive experienced this on all F80's that I've owned. Does anyone know what the valvetronic pump is trying to do?

[Kief]

You can add me to the list...2018 M3 ZCP 1500 miles

[JTM09]

Ok so I got my car back this week - but the noise (slightly different now) is still there!

I was told by the SA that BMW just mentioned this issue on a recent conference call and it's considered normal now and no further repairs suggested- has anyons heard this?

[x.shell]

I also have this problem. It happens whenever I open the door after the car has been sitting for a few hours. I'm hoping Bmw will come up with a definitive solution to this.

[jtecnik]

2015 with 28k and I just found out I have the same problem. Will be making an appointment to service the car and will keep you guys posted.

[mdefalco25]

There is a solution, it's just not widespread enough to do a recall on the valvetronic motor. The key to getting it replaced is making sure they do their research or contact the engineers. You can start with taking a video of it when it occurs, asking them to come directly to your house if you can leave your car alone until they see it (this works if you're in good w/ your service department) or review this thread and have them get in touch with the appropriate parties. This issue continues to grow minimally and randomly, but it's at least not anything serious. Just annoying.

Originally Posted by exo-shell

I also have this problem. It happens whenever I open the door after the car has been sitting for a few hours. I'm hoping Bmw will come up with a definitive solution to this.

[maniz]

Originally Posted by JTM09

I was told by the SA that BMW just mentioned this issue on a recent conference call and it's considered normal now and no further repairs suggested

I find this hilarious. And utter...UTTER BS, if the SA is telling the truth. They can't simply call it "normal" and hope the complaints go away. It is anything but normal.

If your dealership has a good track record for service, speak with the Service Director (or equivalent) and foreman. You WILL need to record the video of this occurrence. In mine, I first recorded it from the outside, then popped the hood (with the camera rolling) and moved the phone closer to the top of the engine to make it obvious that the noise was rooted there somewhere. Then without a pause in the video, I let the noise die off (approx. 30 seconds), then grabbed the door handle (I have CA) to re-activate the noise. It proved to be enough for my foreman and the regional engineer he engaged.

If your dealership's service dept isn't known for being excellent, you will have to find one nearby that is. Then try the above.

[OF Hero]

I have this intermittently too, very faint. Only 5k miles.

Seems pretty widespread. Is there any harm in not replacing it?

[FlyingLow78]

I've had my '18 for just a few weeks and it happened for the first time last night. I'd take it directly to the BMW dealer today, but I will probably wait a bit longer until I have more video of it hammering away.

[FlyingLow78]

Mine did it for the second time last night, but I failed to correctly shoot the video. Speaking with the SA at the local dealership, they want to keep the car overnight or several days to try to duplicate the problem. I showed the SA the video the OP shot (big thanks), and the video I shot the first time my car did it. I don’t think I’ll have any luck getting it repaired until they’re able to see it for themselves, despite our videos containing identical problems.

[Daft]

This ticking noise has been happening intermittent since I got my car last summer. Haven't brought it up with my dealer yet, but I think I should. Here's a video I just took yesterday.