Bad lifter or Exhaust leak?

[trull]

Car started making a ticking noise about two weeks ago, haven't driven it much since. Replaced the rod bearings last weekend (weren't bad) and the noise is still there after about 100 miles, no change in performance just a constant tick that goes with the RPM of the motor. Sounds like it's in the top end but can't pinpoint it. 14' CP Catless Downpipes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdKhoHgseU

[M5_Raz]

Originally Posted by trull

Car started making a ticking noise about two weeks ago, haven't driven it much since. Replaced the rod bearings last weekend (weren't bad) and the noise is still there after about 100 miles, no change in performance just a constant tick that goes with the RPM of the motor. Sounds like it's in the top end but can't pinpoint it. 14' CP Catless Downpipes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdKhoHgseU

I really don't think it's the exhaust. Sounds like an old Chevy suburban with lifter tick.

[Boosted M5]

Sounds like a rod knock. You did the bearings in hope that the noise would go away? If you have a scan tool you could try to disable one cylinder at a time to narrow down which one is causing the noise.

[trull]

Originally Posted by Boosted M5

Sounds like a rod knock. You did the bearings in hope that the noise would go away? If you have a scan tool you could try to disable one cylinder at a time to narrow down which one is causing the noise.

Already had the bearings, just never got around to doing them. Assuming that's a special scanner I would need for that?

[trull]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

I really don't think it's the exhaust. Sounds like an old Chevy suburban with lifter tick.

I have an old K5 Blazer so I know the sound well.

[M5_Raz]

Originally Posted by trull

I have an old K5 Blazer so I know the sound well.

I have an old suburban too that we use for camping. Unfortunately I think your problem is pretty serious. Have you checked the oil level? What oil viscosity are you using?

[trull]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

I have an old suburban too that we use for camping. Unfortunately I think your problem is pretty serious. Have you checked the oil level? What oil viscosity are you using?

Oil is full, Changed every 5k with liquimolly 5w40, the video makes the sound seem much louder than it really is

[M5_Raz]

Originally Posted by trull

Oil is full, Changed every 5k with liquimolly 5w40, the video makes the sound seem much louder than it really is

Curious why 5w40 when the car asks for 0w30 or 0w40? It's thinner at startup and flows better.

[trull]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

Curious why 5w40 when the car asks for 0w30 or 0w40? It's thinner at startup and flows better.

Live in Arizona, gets very toasty here so I like to run a little thicker oil. Temperatures already in the 90s

[BurrNinja]

Originally Posted by trull

Car started making a ticking noise about two weeks ago, haven't driven it much since. Replaced the rod bearings last weekend (weren't bad) and the noise is still there after about 100 miles, no change in performance just a constant tick that goes with the RPM of the motor. Sounds like it's in the top end but can't pinpoint it. 14' CP Catless Downpipes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdKhoHgseU

Maybe injector?

[technician117]

Originally Posted by trull

Car started making a ticking noise about two weeks ago, haven't driven it much since. Replaced the rod bearings last weekend (weren't bad) and the noise is still there after about 100 miles, no change in performance just a constant tick that goes with the RPM of the motor. Sounds like it's in the top end but can't pinpoint it. 14' CP Catless Downpipes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdKhoHgseU

So to confirm: You had a noise appear. Repair attempt was rod bearings, no change in sound so you're looking for ideas?

How many miles on the engine, injectors, coils and spark plugs? Any codes?

[trull]

Originally Posted by technician117

So to confirm: You had a noise appear. Repair attempt was rod bearings, no change in sound so you're looking for ideas?

How many miles on the engine, injectors, coils and spark plugs? Any codes?

71k on motor, plugs and coils changed at 50k, also have another new set of plugs and wires to throw in, Have not done injectors yet, not sure if previous owner did them either. No codes besides cats and no loss in power either, car drives perfectly fine besides the ticking. My next plan was to pop the valve covers and check lifters when I get some free time

[technician117]

I forgot to ask. Does the noise change with rpm change? Definitely sounds like upper engine.

I wouldn't rule out injectors, but if it's running good, it's not likely the source.

[trull]

Originally Posted by technician117

I forgot to ask. Does the noise change with rpm change? Definitely sounds like upper engine.

I wouldn't rule out injectors, but if it's running good, it's not likely the source.

It does gets faster with the rpms, not sure if louder just faster. Can't really hear it when in the higher revs do to the downpipes. Sounds louder on the passenger side up by the turbo's. Trying to rule out every possible cause before I drop the cash on new rods.

[M5_Raz]

Originally Posted by trull

It does gets faster with the rpms, not sure if louder just faster. Can't really hear it when in the higher revs do to the downpipes. Sounds louder on the passenger side up by the turbo's. Trying to rule out every possible cause before I drop the cash on new rods.

I'd assume you'd have taken it to a specialized shop by now. Or at least take it for a diagnosis before you do a major job such as rods..

[trull]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

I'd assume you'd have taken it to a specialized shop by now. Or at least take it for a diagnosis before you do a major job such as rods..

Planned on doing forged rods, Just not this soon into owning the vehicle. I'm not familiar with any shops around me that specialize in these types of motors to give me a proper diagnosis, I expect most of them to say it's something catastrophic without properly digging into it like I am. I have access to a shop so I have no issue doing the work myself.

[M5_Raz]

Originally Posted by trull

Planned on doing forged rods, Just not this soon into owning the vehicle. I'm not familiar with any shops around me that specialize in these types of motors to give me a proper diagnosis, I expect most of them to say it's something catastrophic without properly digging into it like I am. I have access to a shop so I have no issue doing the work myself.

That makes a lot of sense. Where are you located? How much for just the rod replacement? There's also the option of getting a 1000hp forged engine for about 15-20k. I heard good things about a couple of companies that sell and install them. Very tempting hahaha

[technician117]

It can to tough to diagnose sounds over the internet. Wish I could be more help. Good luck and keep us posted with what you find. Hopefully it's something more simple than a bent rod!

[trull]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

That makes a lot of sense. Where are you located? How much for just the rod replacement? There's also the option of getting a 1000hp forged engine for about 15-20k. I heard good things about a couple of companies that sell and install them. Very tempting hahaha

I'm in Mesa, Arizona. It's about 2k for forged Carrillo rods, I haven't priced out Pistons if I were to do those aswell. It'd be nice to have one of those engines but that's only if this one is toast, I didn't find any metal in the oil when I did the bearings so I don't think that's the case

[trull]

Originally Posted by technician117

It can to tough to diagnose sounds over the internet. Wish I could be more help. Good luck and keep us posted with what you find. Hopefully it's something more simple than a bent rod!

Yeah I completely understand that, I haven't been able to find any other posts about noises besides bent rods, injectors or bad exhaust gaskets. Planning on checking the lifters this weekend so will post anything I find/don't find

[AnotherM]

Originally Posted by trull

Yeah I completely understand that, I haven't been able to find any other posts about noises besides bent rods, injectors or bad exhaust gaskets. Planning on checking the lifters this weekend so will post anything I find/don't find

That doesnt sound like injectors to me. If the noise speeds uo as rpm increase, unfortunately, i would say it is rod knock. Best take it over to one of the bmw shops at this point.

[SmokinJoe]

Did the noise start after aggressive driving? What’s your power level? I would definitely do that cylinder drop test to narrow it down. Then a comp test would likely show if you had a bent rod.