Loud Ticking Noise Coming From Engine Bay-330ci

[daveco]

It's starting to get annoying; if I drive the 330 for any longer than 30 minutes or give it a right old hoon, there's a ticking noise, a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. It also gets worse the harder I drive it. Seeing as my mechanical knowledge extends to kicking tyres and stroking my chin, I'm not sure what it is. No warning lights or temp. gauge problems; is it the fan on the way out?

[Nuova500]

Time bomb?

[daveco]

Nuova500 said:

Time bomb?

I thought so too, but it's being ticking for way too long.

[Olf]

One cause for a ticking noise from straight sixes used to be a leaking exhaust manifold. Not sure if that is the case on the more modern cars.

[Nuova500]

Tappets?

[noneedtolift]

What year is it - could be piezo injectors, which is normal (and annoying). My 335i does it (and my head in) as well.
If it's "older" it will most likely be worn tappets.

[daveco]

noneedtolift said:

What year is it - could be piezo injectors, which is normal (and annoying). My 335i does it (and my head in) as well.
If it's "older" it will most likely be worn tappets.

It's 2000 model with 92k on the clock; The sound does seem to be coming from the engine itself and not something around it. I'm guessing replacing tappets is fookin' expensive?

[Whitey]

does the 330i engine from that period have any common faults?

[Neil.D]

It will probaly be a hydraulic tappet. The reason it gets louder is probably because the oil has reached maximum tempreture and therfore thinner making the noise more obvious.