E93 M3 Clicking noise

[flexthebeam]

Hello guys,
My 2012 E92 M3 has 35K miles and is doing this noise, is it normal?

[randrews15]

I have the same year E93 with similar mileage and it doesn't make that noise. It almost sounds like a lifter going bad. I'd definitely wouldn't drive it and have it towed to a shop to check out. Hopefully, it's not your rod bearings but who knows.

[flexthebeam]

Originally Posted by randrews15

I have the same year E93 with similar mileage and it doesn't make that noise. It almost sounds like a lifter going bad. I'd definitely wouldn't drive it and have it towed to a shop to check out. Hopefully, it's not your rod bearings but who knows.

Does rod bearing issues turn the engine light on the dash?
Also, what's the issue with lifter going bad? I've heard other people having it but the sound is slightly different.

[randrews15]

Originally Posted by flexthebeam

Does rod bearing issues turn the engine light on the dash?
Also, what's the issue with lifter going bad? I've heard other people having it but the sound is slightly different.

I can't speak from experience about a CEL and rod bearings being associated. I can only assume that it is possible that it could cause a CEL and also not depending on how critical the failure is. It's hard to pin point the noise from the video, which leads to speculation about its origin. A lifter is usually associated with the cam shaft and helps control the opening and closing of a particular valve. Does the noise increase in frequency as the motor revs up? That would kind of indicate it's a mechanical issue that's tied to engine rotation speed.

[flexthebeam]

Originally Posted by randrews15

I can't speak from experience about a CEL and rod bearings being associated. I can only assume that it is possible that it could cause a CEL and also not depending on how critical the failure is. It's hard to pin point the noise from the video, which leads to speculation about its origin. A lifter is usually associated with the cam shaft and helps control the opening and closing of a particular valve. Does the noise increase in frequency as the motor revs up? That would kind of indicate it's a mechanical issue that's tied to engine rotation speed.

Ok, thanks for the information! The noise doesn't increase when I rev the engine, so I think it's not the rod bearings, but I don't know much about them so it might be.
I'll wait to see if anyone else is having the same noise as mine, hoping it's nothing too serious.

[randrews15]

Originally Posted by flexthebeam

Ok, thanks for the information! The noise doesn't increase when I rev the engine, so I think it's not the rod bearings, but I don't know much about them so it might be.
I'll wait to see if anyone else is having the same noise as mine, hoping it's nothing too serious.

They do make a mechanics stethoscope that allows you to hear the internal workings of a motor and components. That would help you locate it's origin and go from there, and they usually pretty cheap to buy.

[jazzy1999]

Is that from a cold start? And does the noise get quieter as the engine warms ups?

[ItsGary]

Mine makes the same noise. I just assume its the fuel injectors clicking.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by flexthebeam

Hello guys,
My 2012 E92 M3 has 35K miles and is doing this noise, is it normal?

Normal ! It's the typical S65/85 sewing machine noise . You're fine !

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by flexthebeam

Ok, thanks for the information! The noise doesn't increase when I rev the engine, so I think it's not the rod bearings, but I don't know much about them so it might be.
I'll wait to see if anyone else is having the same noise as mine, hoping it's nothing too serious.

If you plan on continuing driving it, then why don't you drive it over to a shop to get it checked out?

[Scrippy]

No check engine light with RB's. By the time the lights illuminated its over and you can ask for your quarter back. I also hear nothing wrong with your motor. Maybe the audio isn't picking up what you're concerned about? This is nothing like the typical BMW 3.0 straight six, the S65 lets you know it's doings things lol.

[LuckiSevens]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Normal ! It's the typical S65/85 sewing machine noise . You're fine !

Yeah it's like the metallic sound, more prominent at warm up - standard bmw, lifters or something

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by FitzgJ74

Yeah it's like the metallic sound, more prominent at warm up - standard bmw, lifters or something

The valve lifters are hydraulic. It's not uncommon for them to bleed off oil pressure when the engine sits over night. This creates a few thousandths of an inch gap between the cam lobe and the bucket, creating the tick. The noise goes away with warm up because you're bleeding the air out of the bucket and replacing it with oil. This closes the gap and eliminates the noise.

It's typical of almost every overhead cam engine to some degree. The S65 is on the noisier side. I don't hear anything to be alarmed about.

here is a gratuitous shot of our lovely valve-train courtesy of VAC...

[S14turbo]

http://m3-experience.de/kettenspanner-s65b40/

I don't think, but can be the timingchain tensioners.
Video in link sounds different.

[1999TWells]

perfectly normal, mine makes exactly the same sound

[baseking]

It doesn't sound normal IMHO, but I'm not living that far North as you - maybe a video of the startup and the engine sound through the closed hood can give us more insight if it's normal or not. I do agree with others that it's a loud beast during the initial warm up phase and makes extra sounds that disappear after warm up.