2008 BMW 328i E92 N52 Engine Lifter Ticking Noise With New Lifters Installed (failed fix by BMW?)

BMW claims the new improved lifters solve the ticking / tapping noise which is caused by poor oil circulation within the N52 engine for model years 2006-2009ish via BMW's technical service bulletin ( SI B 11 09 07 September 2009
). Google what is between the parenthesis for it.

This does not solve the problem in every circumstance as shown in my clip. This is my engine with the improved lifters installed. Video taken on Dec. 26th 2010

A new cylinder head with the improved design that includes a check valve tends to be the final solution.

March of 2011 BMW USA replaced my cylinder head with the improved design. It solved the problem.

Update on Dec 22nd 2011, not a single issue from the time the new head was installed.

The new head is the answer as mine was IMHO. My E92, N52 is perfect.

Those who have the noise good luck, and for those looking at buying used, do your research. Information is below, so use it.

Note: All of the information I have given is from my experience or received from another party online. All information is provided with good faith. If there is information that is false send me a note with proof, and I will remove it.

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Over 75 pages of information dating back to 2006 located at Bimmerpost.com. Thumbs up to the site and the members for helping fellow owners with this issue.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

Here is a great link I found. A one page Q and A on the N52 problem. A very good summary. A bit dated, but still gives owners, and future owners a heads up on the issue.

http://blog.bavauto.com/bmw-e60-e61/bmw-n52-6-cylinder-engine-tappet-noise

The Q and A from the link above:

BMW N52 6 Cylinder Engine Tappet Noise
March 10th, 2010

Q. My 2007 X3 has intermittent pushrod lifter noise on the initial start up until the engine reaches full operating temperature. The frequency can vary from once every two to three months to sometimes twice a month. This all started two weeks after I purchased the vehicle new. The dealer told me that the noise should go away after the break in period. At 8,919 miles I brought the vehicle in for what they explained was a bleed down procedure per a service bulletin. The noise returned intermittently and at 20,152 miles I brought it in again. They could not reproduce the noise however they did change the oil and it seemed to work for about 6 months and then it returned intermittently again. When the frequency increased at 37,907 miles I scheduled another appointment and they replaced all of the pushrod lifters. Two weeks later the noise returned. Using a stethoscope I have determined it is the number one cylinder however I can't distinguish if it is the intake or the exhaust. It seems to me that there is some type of oil delivery problem however the dealer will not take any action until they can reproduce the noise. The vehicle now has 39,000 miles and has been at the dealer for over a week as they try to reproduce the noise. Your thoughts?


A. The 6-cylinder engine in your 2007 X3 3.0si is from the N52 engine family (most 6-cylinders from 2007 to current, and some 2006). This engine is well known for the hydraulic tappet (lifter) noise. This has been typically attributed to too much oil bleed off in the cylinder head oil galleries that supply the pressurized oil to the tappets.

BMW has the following three "fixes", which are only performed if the customer complains enough ... and in the right way:

1) Perform tappet bleed-down procedure (typically does not provide a permanent fix).

2) Replace the tappets with an improved unit that bleeds down slower (sometimes cures the issue).

3) Replace the complete cylinder head with an improved unit that does not bleed oil pressure and flow as quickly and keeps more oil at the tappets when the engine is not running. This is of course the most expensive fix, but it is the final fix.

We could not locate a service or repair bulletin on this, but most people must really hound the dealer and request a review by the regional BMW rep. in order to achieve the final cylinder head fix. Don't give up .... BMW is obviously well aware of this issue since they have redesigned the head and the tappets. They are just not so interested in replacing cylinder heads under warranty.

As for the dealer, in your case, refusing to go further unless they can reproduce the noise, try taking a video of it with the noise happening ... show it to the regional rep.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BMW
• lifter
• noise
• 328i
• Coupe
• E90
• E92
• N52
• metallic
• ticking
• hva
• hydraulic
• valve
• adjusters
• 2008
• new
• lifters
• tapping
• series
• 2006
• 2007
• 2009
• cylinder
• head

[flea3333]

I purchased a CPO 08 with the same problem. Thankfully I researched it and took it in. They replaced lifters just upon me saying I thought thats what it was. Then I took it in again now that original warranty is out and they are charging me $50 deductible to replace cylinder head...yea right am I paying that!

[DLtube100]

@flea3333 Great result. I am hopeful others can get the issue resolved before the warranty expires. $50 will trump $7000-ish out of warranty.

[flankeri]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT VIDEO!!!

I got the exact same noise on my 323 09' and took it in last summer (2011) for diagnostic test. It came back with the results saying that Lifters had to be replaced. Car was under BMW's warranty at the time and it was free of charge. Fast forward in January 2012 and the car is making the same noise/ticking again and this time warranty is expired! They want to diagnose it again but it will cost $150 out of my pocket!?? IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN!!

[joontech]

I have same problem.

I cant believe BMW dealership certified my car with this noise.

[cbcraig13]

I had my lifters replaced on my '07 E92 and as soon as I got it back I heard the ticking. I waited a couple months now to see if it would go a way, but it hasn't. Contacted my SA again today to let him know it's still there.

[TheSRalston]

@DLtube100 OK, thank you very much for your reply. I recognize I am a total ignorant as to what is the process for testing a new engine, but I would had thought a new BMW engine model would be maunfactured and tested as to see what issues appear. It is like making a stencil and checking it before you reproduce it and say "Oh crap, that mistake has been replicated 100.000 times"... I have a 2008 E90 and always listen to that "correct" ticking, hope it doesn´t turn around. Thank you very much.

[TheSRalston]

I would like to ask you: so there is an abnormal ticking, such as this one, and a "normal" ticking? There is a video called "2008 BMW 328i (E90) "normal engine" ticking ", which sounds different from this one. I have read your ticking, deeper and more spaciated, is a problem, but the "other one" you hear on that video is associated to the fuel injectors. Is that true? So is it even correct to say there is a wrong tick and a correct tick? Thank you.

[bmwbmwus]

Nice video, thank for the info. I'll listen for that in my search of used 328's.

[ssdd20]

Why would they even return the vehicle in this condition with that annoying ticking noise... Clearly the mechanics heard that.... I hate arrogance and ignorance, and when the two combine its horrendous..

[henriquezlos]

i have the same problem .