The Dreaded Sound of Failure?

[armorrig]

Cold Start

Full Operating Temp

Just would like to add. The ticking noise seemed to have gotten worse since I first tried listening to the engine sound the first few months of ownership. I just don't have the habit of listening for unusual sounds every time I park my car, but another sound was actually what was bothering me since just buying the car that prompted me to ask and someone suggested to listen for a sound from the rocker panel.

The sound which had always bothered me was not a ticking sound. I would hear it from inside the car, after it has reached full operating temperature. Only happens at a full stop and foot off the clutch pedal (gear in neutral of course). I would hear a chugging sound, like a helicopter flying from a distance, and the noise stops when I depress the clutch pedal.

From outside the car,this sound is more evident if you listen for it from behind the front wheels/rocker panel. Which is also captured in the video.

Just posting this here and hopefully some of you could maybe post a vid of your engine sound just for comparison. Engine Sounds captured on video are actually better than listening for them in person as I would not have realized just how bad my engine sounded without hearing it from the video I recorded. It would help if it is recorded in a quiet area with minimal background noise (ex: garage).

[armorrig]

I only have a catback, everything else engine-wise is stock.

[Richbot]

Sounds like normal clutch noise to me.

[WERKE]

Originally Posted by armorrig

Just would like to add. The ticking noise seemed to have gotten worse since I first tried listening to the engine sound the first few months of ownership. I just don't have the habit of listening for unusual sounds every time I park my car, but another sound was actually what was bothering me since just buying the car that prompted me to ask and someone suggested to listen for a sound from the rocker panel.

The sound which had always bothered me was not a ticking sound. I would hear it from inside the car, after it has reached full operating temperature. Only happens at a full stop and foot off the clutch pedal (gear in neutral of course). I would hear a chugging sound, like a helicopter flying from a distance, and the noise stops when I depress the clutch pedal.

From outside the car,this sound is more evident if you listen for it from behind the front wheels/rocker panel. Which is also captured in the video.

Just posting this here and hopefully some of you could maybe post a vid of your engine sound just for comparison. Engine Sounds captured on video are actually better than listening for them in person as I would not have realized just how bad my engine sounded without hearing it from the video I recorded. It would help if it is recorded in a quiet area with minimal background noise (ex: garage).

Normal sound ;-)

[mkPOTO]

yeah its normal

[GreasyGinzo]

If the noise stops when you put pressure on the clutch pedal it is the throw out bearing...nothing to worry about.

[armorrig]

hmm...I hope it's normal.

How bout the engine noise? Is that how it's supposed to sound?

[IMG]

My motor doesnt sound like that BTW

[808E90]

Originally Posted by armorrig

hmm...I hope it's normal.

How bout the engine noise? Is that how it's supposed to sound?

That engine clicking noise is your injectors ... It's normal

[armorrig]

Originally Posted by 808E90

That engine clicking noise is your injectors ... It's normal

I see.

However, the sound I'm hearing from inside the car everytime I take my foot off the clutch pedal at a full stop, is just the throwout bearing/clutch noise and nothing to worry about either? Only starts happening after I've driven the car. I can hear that same sound from under the car behind the front wheels as heard on the video. The "gurgling/chugging" sound. The video doesn't quite capture the sound from inside the car though.

Thanks.

[Sandye90m3]

Mine sounds the same captain.

[armorrig]

Does it get noiser after full operating temperature?

I'll post a cold start vid.

[armorrig]

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Mine sounds the same captain.

If you have a MT, Do you also get the "chugging" sound from inside the car at a full stop if you let off the clutch pedal?

[Richbot]

Yup

[armorrig]

First post updated with cold start sound.

[JCtx]

Clutch noise and valvetrain noises are a bit higher than mine, but within normal levels. I've heard cars quieter than mine, and many like yours. At one point in the video I didn't like what I heard, but didn't hear it again; maybe the recording.

Anyway, do the 'bearing' test every once in a while, which consists of slowly revving your engine from idle to about 1,500 rpm and back a few times, and listen for a random 'clack' or 'clack clack', which I hope you never hear . I think we all are a bit paranoid with engine noises, especially in '08 cars, but once you become 'comfortable' with the noises it makes, just keep an eye for new ones, or louder existing ones. Finally, invite local M3 owners for a meet so you can hear several cars at once, and have some piece of mind. Nothing like comparing cars back to back. Good luck.

[Draff1]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Clutch noise and valvetrain noises are a bit higher than mine, but within normal levels. I've heard cars quieter than mine, and many like yours. At one point in the video I didn't like what I heard, but didn't hear it again; maybe the recording.

Anyway, do the 'bearing' test every once in a while, which consists of slowly revving your engine from idle to about 1,500 rpm and back a few times, and listen for a random 'clack' or 'clack clack', which I hope you never hear . I think we all are a bit paranoid with engine noises, especially in '08 cars, but once you become 'comfortable' with the noises it makes, just keep an eye for new ones, or louder existing ones. Finally, invite local M3 owners for a meet so you can hear several cars at once, and have some piece of mind. Nothing like comparing cars back to back. Good luck.

great advice. BTW, my 09 has with 6k miles sounds similar.

[armorrig]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Clutch noise and valvetrain noises are a bit higher than mine, but within normal levels. I've heard cars quieter than mine, and many like yours. At one point in the video I didn't like what I heard, but didn't hear it again; maybe the recording.

Anyway, do the 'bearing' test every once in a while, which consists of slowly revving your engine from idle to about 1,500 rpm and back a few times, and listen for a random 'clack' or 'clack clack', which I hope you never hear . I think we all are a bit paranoid with engine noises, especially in '08 cars, but once you become 'comfortable' with the noises it makes, just keep an eye for new ones, or louder existing ones. Finally, invite local M3 owners for a meet so you can hear several cars at once, and have some piece of mind. Nothing like comparing cars back to back. Good luck.

Which point in the video did you hear something that you didn't like? I'd like to hear that part specifically so I can determine what that sound was. Thanks.

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by 808E90

That engine clicking noise is your injectors ... It's normal

That's what it sounds like to me too...

[Gearhead999s]

People who are paranoid about engine noises should not be driving S65 equipped cars!My new 11 has all the same engine noises as my 08 did with 53000kms except the neutal clutch rattle as my new car has the M-DCT.But then I am used to mechanical sounds after riding a Duc for many years.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

People who are paranoid about BAD BEARING engine noises should not be driving 2008 (and some 2011s) S65 equipped cars

Fixed it for you .

[AMPowerJ]

This car has more sounds than a steam locomotive going up a long grade. Half of my sounds are rattles; the other half are clunks, pops, ticks, and oh that sound of that marvelous V8 engine revving to 8400 RPMs. Makes me always forget about all the above referenced sounds.

... and oh BTW ... the OP's avatar is very disturbing!