Help Identifying This Ticking Sound

MatthewDavid · 08-05-2012, 06:15 PM

All, I have two issues I'm hoping you can help me identify:

When I first picked up my 2012 E92 Comp. Pkg. in May, the car whined under throttle noticeably more than my previous 2008 E92 M3. I thought it was odd, so I noted it to my SA. The shop foreman agreed it sounded higher pitched than most, but told me they found nothing wrong and to keep driving for a few thousand miles (they didn't note this on the service sheet, though).
When I got the car back from the 1,200 mile service, it was making this ticking sound (see video). It's driving me nuts because it makes my car sound broken, my last M3 didn't make this sound, and most importantly, this M3 didn't make this sound before I took it in for my 1,200 mile service.

I'm taking it in soon, but have any of you experienced either of these problems?

radiantm3 · 08-05-2012, 06:34 PM

That's what mine sounded like when my bearings were going bad, but never at idle. I had to rev is a couple hundred rpm's and then you'd hear that exact sound if the engine was fully warmed up.

GIdriver · 08-05-2012, 07:01 PM

Post#29. Although in this video it happens while revving. Owner says started after 1200 mi sevice.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...Bearing&page=2

img · 08-05-2012, 07:33 PM

That Is Not A Rod Bearing Issue !

erm324 · 08-05-2012, 07:59 PM

Hey, I have a 2011 and have the SAME exact issue as you and my car is going back to the dealer so it can get looked at.

My ticking sounds EXACTLY the same as yours, and only happens when the car is up to operating temperature and the sound is roughly correlated with RPM. We thought the issue was rod/main bearings, but after sending an oil sample out it came back 100% perfect. Using a mechanics stethescope we noticed the sound was clearest at the lower motor mounts that bolt directly into the motor, so we are assuming its coming from in the motor.

There are countless threads of people who have experienced the same ticking (doesn't matter what year, 2008 up through 2011) sound and symptoms as us, and all of them say their fix was a replacement of the main bearings and crankshaft. Heres one good thread on it:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433735

Some people even said it happened right after their 1200 mile break-in like yourself.

I've exhausted EVERY method to try solving this issue, and I'm resorting to letting the dealer handle it. The sound is most definitely not normal (trust me I've put my car side by side with at least 20 other M3's and my car has been the only car that made it), and I would dealer your car.

Good luck on your issue and please let us know what happens (as I will do the same).

Here's a video of my car for reference:

MatthewDavid · 08-05-2012, 10:27 PM

Thank you for input guys. What about the 1,200 mile service could even cause this issue? I'll be sure to keep everyone posted, but I sincerely hope it's not anything serious.

BMRLVR · 08-06-2012, 12:30 AM

This may sound stupid, but, try driving the car hard for a few days and see if it goes away..... I get some intermittent ticking that sounds just like that right after changing oil, however, once the oil has a chance to shear a bit it goes away completely till next oil change. I am 99% convinced it is just valvetrain noise!

REDBULL · 08-06-2012, 12:46 AM

i've noticed this sound on my 2012 SG m3 after a drive and turning off the car. has about 2500 miles.

Totti · 08-06-2012, 03:17 AM

They make all sorts of crazy ticking sounds. Here was mine that hasn't thus far returned.

erm324 · 08-06-2012, 06:02 AM

^ The sound in that video doesn't sound normal whatsoever.

OP, I am very convinced the sound is related to something within my motor. If your car is stock (or close enough to it) just bring it in, let BMW deal with the headache of diagnosing/fixing it.

M3PO · 08-06-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totti

They make all sorts of crazy ticking sounds. Here was mine that hasn't thus far returned.

^THAT sounds more like it could be a bearing issue. Rhythmic and linked to engine speed.

The OP's problem doesn't sound like a typical bearing problem but is very similar (if not the same) to what BMW has concluded was a bearing issue on the early cars.

Totti · 08-06-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3PO

^THAT sounds more like it could be a bearing issue. Rhythmic and linked to engine speed.

The OP's problem doesn't sound like a typical bearing problem but is very similar (if not the same) to what BMW has concluded was a bearing issue on the early cars.

May have been, but problem hasn't come back after extended hard driving (Which is when it first manifested itself)

M3PO · 08-06-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totti

May have been, but problem hasn't come back after extended hard driving (Which is when it first manifested itself)

That's strange (but good), IIRC, the older M3s (E36) when driven hard would develop a lifter tick that would eventually go away. I wouldn't expect that to happen on these cars though.

REDBULL · 08-21-2012, 01:24 AM

OP, any updates?

jonasaurus · 08-21-2012, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

This may sound stupid, but, try driving the car hard for a few days and see if it goes away..... I get some intermittent ticking that sounds just like that right after changing oil, however, once the oil has a chance to shear a bit it goes away completely till next oil change. I am 99% convinced it is just valvetrain noise!

From my experience after oil changes I seem to be getting some ticking at idle not when revving it. Does go away though after a period of time of mixed driving. The issues previously reported around bearings was only noticeable when revving to 2-3k wasn't it?

erm324 · 08-21-2012, 08:11 AM

my car has been at the dealer for a week now, they are looking into it

Sales@Gintani.com · 08-21-2012, 02:08 PM

Sounds like a bottom end noise. Possible bearing failure, not to scare you guys but sounds very familiar to what we've experienced with these engines. Here is a video when it gets pretty bad.

erm324 · 08-21-2012, 02:31 PM

Most definitely sounds like a bottom end noise but it is not directly correlated with the crank as you would suspect with a rod bearing failure. Even though the oil sample results were flawless, I still do think it has to do with the motor. I cannot wait to get the call from the dealer with an update because I've been dumbfounded the past two months.

Sales@Gintani.com · 08-21-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erm324

Most definitely sounds like a bottom end noise but it is not directly correlated with the crank as you would suspect with a rod bearing failure. Even though the oil sample results were flawless, I still do think it has to do with the motor. I cannot wait to get the call from the dealer with an update because I've been dumbfounded the past two months.

Good luck, hope everything works out. We have also seen where parts of the thrust bearing gets clipped. Hope this helps, just want to sharing our experiences and knowledge of this engine with the community. If there is anyway we could help, let us know. We would be more than happy.

REDBULL · 08-26-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erm324

Most definitely sounds like a bottom end noise but it is not directly correlated with the crank as you would suspect with a rod bearing failure. Even though the oil sample results were flawless, I still do think it has to do with the motor. I cannot wait to get the call from the dealer with an update because I've been dumbfounded the past two months.

any updates?

erm324 · 08-27-2012, 06:11 AM

Car is still at dealer, they are trying to get a regional service rep to come down and take a look.

Denk · 08-27-2012, 11:31 AM

FYI, I had the same ticking noise after my first oil change. I'm at a little over 3k and it's not ticking anymore. It seems to be thermal related as it would only tick at operating temp. Whatever it was, its worked itself out. It does seem to be a fairly common phenomenon.

08-05-2012, 06:15 PM	#1
MatthewDavid First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 M3 : Black/Black, DCT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 301 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [4.00]	Help Identifying This Ticking Sound All, I have two issues I'm hoping you can help me identify: When I first picked up my 2012 E92 Comp. Pkg. in May, the car whined under throttle noticeably more than my previous 2008 E92 M3. I thought it was odd, so I noted it to my SA. The shop foreman agreed it sounded higher pitched than most, but told me they found nothing wrong and to keep driving for a few thousand miles (they didn't note this on the service sheet, though). When I got the car back from the 1,200 mile service, it was making this ticking sound (see video). It's driving me nuts because it makes my car sound broken, my last M3 didn't make this sound, and most importantly, this M3 didn't make this sound before I took it in for my 1,200 mile service. I'm taking it in soon, but have any of you experienced either of these problems?
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08-05-2012, 07:01 PM	#3
GIdriver Major Drives: 2011 SG/FR E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Somewhere in Time Posts: 1,136 iTrader: (0)	Post#29. Although in this video it happens while revving. Owner says started after 1200 mi sevice. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...Bearing&page=2 __________________ Akrapovic Evolution with Carbon Fiber tips \| Akra Evo ESS tune \| Dinan Pulley \| AA Green Filter \| iND Cosmetic Package (Color Matched Front Grilles/Reflectors/Side Gills) in Space Gray \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes.

08-05-2012, 07:33 PM	#4
img VT3 Drives: E36 M3 Track car,Ess E90 M3 DD Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Couch Posts: 5,862 iTrader: (5)	That Is Not A Rod Bearing Issue ! __________________ NO FEAR.NO LIMITS.NO EQUAL Ess VT3 LC built motor,Volk TE37SL,Challenge modefied Xpipe,Akra axle back CF tips. LOW BOOST 60-130 6.7 sec

08-05-2012, 07:59 PM	#5
erm324 Major Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (1)	Hey, I have a 2011 and have the SAME exact issue as you and my car is going back to the dealer so it can get looked at. My ticking sounds EXACTLY the same as yours, and only happens when the car is up to operating temperature and the sound is roughly correlated with RPM. We thought the issue was rod/main bearings, but after sending an oil sample out it came back 100% perfect. Using a mechanics stethescope we noticed the sound was clearest at the lower motor mounts that bolt directly into the motor, so we are assuming its coming from in the motor. There are countless threads of people who have experienced the same ticking (doesn't matter what year, 2008 up through 2011) sound and symptoms as us, and all of them say their fix was a replacement of the main bearings and crankshaft. Heres one good thread on it: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433735 Some people even said it happened right after their 1200 mile break-in like yourself. I've exhausted EVERY method to try solving this issue, and I'm resorting to letting the dealer handle it. The sound is most definitely not normal (trust me I've put my car side by side with at least 20 other M3's and my car has been the only car that made it), and I would dealer your car. Good luck on your issue and please let us know what happens (as I will do the same). Here's a video of my car for reference: Last edited by erm324; 08-05-2012 at 08:07 PM.

08-06-2012, 12:30 AM	#7
BMRLVR Grease Monkey Drives: 2011 E90 M3,1994 Euro E36 M3/4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,009 iTrader: (3)	This may sound stupid, but, try driving the car hard for a few days and see if it goes away..... I get some intermittent ticking that sounds just like that right after changing oil, however, once the oil has a chance to shear a bit it goes away completely till next oil change. I am 99% convinced it is just valvetrain noise! __________________ 2011 E90 M3 ZCP - Individual Moonstone/Individual Amarone Extended/Individual Piano Black With Inlay:LINK!!! 1994 Euro E36 M3 Sedan - Daytona Violet/Mulberry:LINK!!!

08-05-2012, 06:34 PM	#2
radiantm3 AWD...training wheels for RWD Drives: 11 E92 M3, 13 F25 X3 xdrive35i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 3,138 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [4.73] 2013 BMW X3 xdrive35 [4.50]	That's what mine sounded like when my bearings were going bad, but never at idle. I had to rev is a couple hundred rpm's and then you'd hear that exact sound if the engine was fully warmed up. __________________ 2011.5 E92 M3 6MT / 45,000+ miles / 3400lbs with no driver, half tank / M3 GTS Aero, Rear Seat Delete, Half Cage • Schroth 6 Point Harness • Recaro Profi • 18" BBS FI / 18" TE37SL Black Edition • Ohlins RT • Vorshlag Camber Plates • Brembo 380GT • Endless Pads • Akrapovic Evo • RD Sport Sways • ESS Tune • Supercharger Delete (1:42 @ Laguna Seca, 2:09 @ Thunderhill, 1:56 @ Infineon)

08-05-2012, 10:27 PM	#6
MatthewDavid First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 M3 : Black/Black, DCT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 301 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [4.00]	Thank you for input guys. What about the 1,200 mile service could even cause this issue? I'll be sure to keep everyone posted, but I sincerely hope it's not anything serious.

08-06-2012, 12:46 AM	#8
REDBULL Lieutenant Drives: '12 SG M3/Fox Red Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: فلسطين Posts: 476 iTrader: (3)	i've noticed this sound on my 2012 SG m3 after a drive and turning off the car. has about 2500 miles. __________________ 2010 BMW M3 E92 MR/Black - sold 2012 BMW M3 E92 SG/Red

08-06-2012, 06:02 AM	#10
erm324 Major Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (1)	^ The sound in that video doesn't sound normal whatsoever. OP, I am very convinced the sound is related to something within my motor. If your car is stock (or close enough to it) just bring it in, let BMW deal with the headache of diagnosing/fixing it.

08-21-2012, 01:24 AM	#14
REDBULL Lieutenant Drives: '12 SG M3/Fox Red Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: فلسطين Posts: 476 iTrader: (3)	OP, any updates? __________________ 2010 BMW M3 E92 MR/Black - sold 2012 BMW M3 E92 SG/Red

08-21-2012, 08:11 AM	#16
erm324 Major Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (1)	my car has been at the dealer for a week now, they are looking into it

08-21-2012, 02:08 PM	#17
Sales@Gintani.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Melbourne Red E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Van Nuys, California Posts: 186 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a bottom end noise. Possible bearing failure, not to scare you guys but sounds very familiar to what we've experienced with these engines. Here is a video when it gets pretty bad.

08-21-2012, 02:31 PM	#18
erm324 Major Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (1)	Most definitely sounds like a bottom end noise but it is not directly correlated with the crank as you would suspect with a rod bearing failure. Even though the oil sample results were flawless, I still do think it has to do with the motor. I cannot wait to get the call from the dealer with an update because I've been dumbfounded the past two months.

08-27-2012, 06:11 AM	#21
erm324 Major Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (1)	Car is still at dealer, they are trying to get a regional service rep to come down and take a look. Last edited by erm324; 08-28-2012 at 07:26 PM.

08-27-2012, 11:31 AM	#22
Denk Major Drives: 2012 e92 DCT M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 1,083 iTrader: (0)	FYI, I had the same ticking noise after my first oil change. I'm at a little over 3k and it's not ticking anymore. It seems to be thermal related as it would only tick at operating temp. Whatever it was, its worked itself out. It does seem to be a fairly common phenomenon.

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