E39 M5 Ticking noise

[Scho]

Hi all,

Went to see an M5 today which developed a loud ticking noise during the test drive,

-increased tempo with engine revs

-seemed to come more from the near side

-vanished by the time the test was over.

-no relation to road speed, still made the noise when parked.

Any ideas?

[M5STEVE_E39]

What year was the car that you viewed?? sounds like the Vanos but panic if its pre 01 they didnt have a pump hence the noise on start up and tick over.

[Scho]

M5STEVE_E39 said:

What year was the car that you viewed?? sounds like the Vanos but panic if its pre 01 they didnt have a pump hence the noise on start up and tick over.

Thanks steve, the noise wasn't present on startup, The engine was really quiet from cold start and the noise appeared about 5mins into the drive.

2000 car, do you still think vanos?

[M5STEVE_E39]

meant to say dont panic as the pump is no issue, after a about 5 mins im stumped, with my 2000 model its noisy on start like a growling noise up then settles down, cant hear it much whilst driving, but again when pullover mine has a slight ticking noise.
My mechanic advised this is normalon pre 01 after this they introduced a pump to reduce this.
If driving and there is a stall of power or the noise gets worse then i would be cautious. If possible give the engine a good visual for signs of oil.
Happy hunting it will put a smile on ya face

[ANWP]

I have the same problem in my E46 M3. Its silent when cold then ticks when warm after about 5-10 minutes of driving.
So far no one has been able to say what it is (dealers, specialist and race engine builders). I have had the noise for 10,000 miles and its not got any worse. I thought it was valve clearance, but, they have all been checked and adjusted and its still there.
The noise is also coming form the centre of the engine, but that might just been the underbonnet acoustics.

[Neil.D]

Does it sound like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dqttf7wp7Y

If so then this may be of interest

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...

[rassi]

Could be the clutch on the engine fan that has seized or about to? Water pump? As it happens sometime into the test drive and not from cold, I would look for something that is heat related.

[Scho]

I've had a listen to a few vanos noises on you tube and it doesn't sound like that at all. much more metallic sounding hollow ping!


the mystery continues...