Another issue...E46 M3 Engine - strange noises

[cjb211]

All,

Sorry for yet another question about an issue with my car but if it's going into the dealer for one thing i might as well get everything looked at.

When driving next to a wall or building (i.e. something that the engine noise bounces back off) i notice that the engine is making what i can only describe as a cross between a clicking and chuffing sound. It gets faster with higher rpm and eventually downed out induction noise etc with higher rpm. The sound only seems to come once the car has warmed up.

Should I be concerned or is it a case of "they all do this sir"?

[MGR]

Do you mean the vanos noise ? Sounds like a fast clicking which rises and falls with the revs. The vanos can get a little noisy but shouldn't be that noisy. They aren't quite as smooth as a 'normal' 2.5 bmw engine say. The vanos unit is at the front of the engine. Get someone to rev the engine with the bonnet up and listen for it then.

Edited by MGR on Friday 27th February 12:59

[Hedgetrimmer]

cjb211 said:

All,

Sorry for yet another question about an issue with my car but if it's going into the dealer for one thing i might as well get everything looked at.

When driving next to a wall or building (i.e. something that the engine noise bounces back off) i notice that the engine is making what i can only describe as a cross between a clicking and chuffing sound. It gets faster with higher rpm and eventually downed out induction noise etc with higher rpm. The sound only seems to come once the car has warmed up.

Should I be concerned or is it a case of "they all do this sir"?

I think the tappets need resetting at inspection 2 on these engines so it may have something to do with them being due or overdue. Suggest you take to independant or stealer.