E39 523i SE - Engine issue

[junglie]

Good evening,

I have a 1999 523i SE with approx 92k and a FSH (last serviced at 88k - Inspection 2). Car has been fine and I have just changed the waterpump after the bearing let go - no overheating and the car has run perfectly since (about 500 miles).

I have just returned from a quick drive and heard what I would describe as a 'Clacking' sound, nothing massive but enough to notice when you are listening, and had a look under the bonnet. Noise appears to be coming from the right hand side of the engine block (left as you look from the front of the bonnet) and seems to be in the area of the exhaust manifold but then it could just be the acoustics. Had a look in the oil filler cap and just a little smoke when opened which appears to be normal, no 'mayo' looking substances. I has a look at the dipstick and, very surprisingly, there was not even a mark on the level. This is strange as I checked it about 300 miles ago and it was near the top mark. As I stated earlier, there is no sign of oil leaking from anywhere I can see.

Have just put approx 3 1/2 litres in and will leave it for a while to drain to the sump so I can get a true reading. The only other part of note was the rubber seal around the oil filler cap came off but it seems to be seated correctly again now.

Any ideas what this is or what the cause is?

Thanks

Dan

[dave_s13]

Whoever did the last service may have forgotten to refill the oil maybe?

I fvkin hope not though!!

[MarkwG]

Just in case, did you check it hot or cold? Not sure what yours needs, but normally it's a cold check, or the oil will still be draining back & therefore it won't show any on the dipstick. Transmission checks are often hot. Hot meaning registering on the gauge.

[junglie]

Engine was warm - have topped it up and now reading correctly. Will use the other car tomorrow so I can do a proper check in the morning on the 5 series. If it is overfilled I will drain some off.

Could it be a sticky valve or tappet - it has literally just started?

[phelix]

Any signs of smoking from the exhaust? A cracked diaphragm in the crankcase breather valve can cause oil to get sucked into the engine.

[junglie]

No smoke from the exhaust.