Lifter Noises Perhaps? - United Bimmer Community

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-02-2006, 07:56 PM

So I've noticed like when i accelerate, like my car makes a fast ticking sound , more noticeable when windows down and im driving next to a wall or something. it's like a ticking marbley sound. Like the sound thats described in the lifter nosie thing that apparently is a common problem.
Now, this car has 119k on it. so obviously out of warrenty. but it does it all the time. My car runs fine tho.
so Main questions
Anything else this could be?
if so what else?
is it prolly lifters though? and Im guessing it's the valve lifters were talking about
Any chance dealer would fix this for free?
and If I leave it, is it just mainly an annoyance or is it gonna cause damage/reduce life of my car.

thx
all info u can give is appreciated

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-03-2006, 12:21 AM

anyone?

witeshark · 10-03-2006, 12:25 AM

Does it need a valve adjustment? Maybe an oil change?

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-03-2006, 11:14 AM

valve adjustment? dont know what that is, or how much it costs, and it just got a oil change, max life synthetic

witeshark · 10-03-2006, 11:24 AM

If the engine has no hydraulic lifters, the valves may need adjusting

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-03-2006, 01:16 PM

well the lifters obviously exist, it's a bmw325is 93'. and I heard lifter noise was common problem

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-03-2006, 05:39 PM

I was more curious that if it is infact the lifters...if it's a serious problem, if their making that ticking noise, or if it's just more annoying

**mrkbik** · 10-03-2006, 05:59 PM

Seriously man, I had this problem and it went away after adding some techron right before I filled up. And no, there is no way a dealer is going to do anything for free.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-04-2006, 11:22 AM

I do that like every fillup
Im MAINLY curious at if it is indeed the lifters, if it's just an annoyance or it's going to damage my engine.
I mean it can get pretty loud when Im up against the wall, and it does it all the time. but yet I cant hear it when i pop the hood at the engine bay? weird huh

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-05-2006, 11:27 AM

Also I can sorta hear it at idle like if Im next to a car if that helps?
I just wanna know if it's going to hurt my car

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-06-2006, 11:51 AM

Went to my mechanic, we discovered the sound comes faster when i accelerate, but it louder towards the bottom of the car?
he heard it but said it def wasnt lifters because we'd hear it in the engine bay, and it was more towards the bottom?
does that sound legit?

**celsdogg** · 10-06-2006, 12:27 PM

i think those have timing chains right? maybe its loose and needs a new tensioner.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-07-2006, 03:50 AM

perhaps, but does what the mechanic says make sense tho. if it was lifters, i'd hear it in engine bay? notr like on the bottom of near the engine of the car

**Dudesky** · 10-07-2006, 06:59 AM

Could it be your catalytic converters? People often describe bad cats as a marbly sound. Just a guess tho.

**mrkbik** · 10-07-2006, 11:26 AM

^^ That's what I was gonna say, you should check out your cats.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 10-08-2006, 12:02 PM

but does what the mechanic say make sense, that I wouldnt hear it towards the bottom of the car, that i would hear it in the engine bay really loud if my ear was right next to it?

and yea my cats could be bad, but ti's only when i accelerate remember.