BMW Repair: Fixing the Annoying Engine Ticking Sound
Why Faulty Hydraulic Valve Lifters are a Big Deal in BMWs
If you own a BMW with the N52 engine, you may begin to hear a ticking noise when the engine is idling. This is a major concern for many drivers, who may be confused about what is causing the ticking noise. The problem with the N52 engine ticking is a faulty hydraulic valve lifter. The hydraulic valve lifter is used to create space in the engine to expand and contract in temperature changes.
Don't Ignore the Ticking: How a Faulty Hydraulic Valve Lifter Can Affect Your BMW
If your BMW vehicle has the N52 engine, you may be experiencing a valve lifter clicking when the engine is running. This noise seems to happen after the vehicle has driven more than 50,000 miles. Unfortunately, the problem can happen even if you're taking great care of your BMW and keeping up with all preventative maintenance. The hydraulic valve lifter is made up of four parts in your BMW. The body, the check ball mechanism, the plunger, and the socket are all included in the hydraulic valve lifter. The space created by the hydraulic valve lifter is needed for other parts of the engine to expand and contract. BMW has offered a remedy for the ticking noise caused by a faulty hydraulic valve lifter, replacing the cylinder heads with newer models. However, this repair is often unsuccessful. No known issues have been attributed to the N52 lifter noise, but you should not continue to drive the BMW for a long time. You should, instead, take your car to a BMW specialist to have a mechanic examine the issue for you. One of the ways you can fix a ticking noise issue in the valve lifter is to change the engine oil in your BMW. Dirt and sludge may build up in the engine and clog the lifter, causing it to make this ticking noise. You should change the oil and filter with a certified BMW brand, drive the vehicle for about 50 miles, and then replace the oil and filter again to flush out any bad engine lubricants. The ticking noise may be coming from mechanically faulty lifters as well. If you have a broken lifter, the only way to actually fix it is to remove the cylinder head cover, which can be a hassle and should be left to the professionals. Often, the age of your vehicle will determine whether or not it suffers from the ticking noise. Higher mileage means more wear and tear, and the general age of internal components is affected. The best way to avoid the ticking noise is to perform regularly scheduled maintenance at a certified BMW mechanic.
Bring your car to the BMW experts at Bavarian Autohaus
Located in Burlington, Washington, Bavarian Autohaus has been in business since 1984. They are committed to world-class BMW repair and offer full-service solutions for all brands of European vehicles. Nothing is too big for the technicians at Bavarian Autohaus to handle, including N52 engine repairs. The ASE-certified technicians can figure out what's wrong with your BMW. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for whatever maintenance or repair services your BMW needs. You'll be glad you did.