Cold start - tapping noise on M54

[rpmnut]

Hey guys,Need your help. Took a long drive to Singapore over the Malaysia Day holidays. The car was left idle in the hotel car park for 3 days - possibly the longest time the car has been left undriven since I've gotten it.When I started the car in the morning before my drive home this morning, I noticed the engine was making this funny tapping noise - as if the valve tappets were not adjusted properly. The sound gradually got softer until it disappeared completely once the engine reached operating temperature. Nothing else seemed to be amiss - no warning lights, no loss of power....Anyone know what this could mean? :frown:

 

[moots]

the hydraulic tappets ran dry due to the 3 day hiatus.no biggie as long as the tapping goes away in a while.i experience this i think twice in my 2.5 yrs ownership.i'd recommend castrol magnetec 10w40.

 

[rpmnut]

Phew! When I heard the tapping noise $$$ signs went off in my head. I thought my car was going to need some major top-end work. LOL!

Thanks Moots!

P.S : Other than using Magnatec, is there anything I can do to prevent the tappets from running dry?

 

[Jerman]

Hey guys,
When I started the car in the morning before my drive home this morning, I noticed the engine was making this funny tapping noise - as if the valve tappets were not adjusted properly. The sound gradually got softer until it disappeared completely once the engine reached operating temperature. Nothing else seemed to be amiss - no warning lights, no loss of power....

Anyone know what this could mean? :frown:

Mine is the same and I was told this is common for E39. No cause for alarm :top:

 

[rpmnut]

Thanks for the tip, Jerman....You can never be too sure with cars this age, you know...

 

[bimmerholic]

Mine sounds the same too....but that's cuz i've been using 5W40 Castrol Edge all along. It's a very thin oil!

 

[rpmnut]

I'm using the same oil, bimmerholic....might change it to Magnatec at the next service to see if that helps keep the oil in the hydraulic tappets better. It may not be a major issue, but still quite "sakit hati" listening to the tapping noise while the car warms up - lol!

 

[bimmerholic]

I'm using the same oil, bimmerholic....might change it to Magnatec at the next service to see if that helps keep the oil in the hydraulic tappets better. It may not be a major issue, but still quite "sakit hati" listening to the tapping noise while the car warms up - lol!

i know what u mean...ha ha...a bit annoying. I too wanna change to 10W40 on my next interval.

 

[rpmnut]

A bit annoying and not to mention malu sikit when your buddies look at your car and ask you why it sounds like a diesel! LOL!

 

[shah50]

hi bro's.. had the same problems long time ago.. but all noise etc seems gone right after i change to JTX SL/CI-4 SAE 15W-50 engine oil.. maybe u guys should try..

 

[bimmerholic]

hi bro's.. had the same problems long time ago.. but all noise etc seems gone right after i change to JTX SL/CI-4 SAE 15W-50 engine oil.. maybe u guys should try..

Wouldn't 15W50 oil be a bit too thick? I mean...is that semi?

 

[rpmnut]

Thanks for the tip, Shah!

But I always thought BMW only recommended oils up to 10W/40 viscosity for the M54.
Will using 15W/50 harm the engine in any way?

 

[mizhan]

i've been using 10W/40 in my M54. to date still no weird noises during cold starts.. that engine is bulletproof.

 

[rpmnut]

The tapping noises only appear if I don't start the engine at all for 2-3 days.
If I drive it daily, the car starts up smooth and silent

So now I use it as an excuse to take the Beemer out more than the Proton I have parked beside it - LOL

 

[rpmnut]

Update on this issue, guys...took my car in to replace the engine mountings this morning....at the same time asked my mechanic to take a look at the tapping noise......problem diagnosed as worn hydraulic valve lifters.

Not a serious issue, apparently - engines will run fine even with the worn lifters.
Using thicker oil will, however, minimize the issue by helping to retain more oil in the lifters when the engine is turned off.

A more permanent fix comes in the form of replacing all 24 lifters in the engine.
It's a RM2k + job......*gulp*

Better start saving up then....LOL

 

[KARLFATHER]

bros,

recently my mech recommended to change my oil to ravenol, i've been using it for 10,000 KM already.

is it good? will it harm my M54 ?

 

[rpmnut]

Haven't heard of Ravenol before. Is it a new brand?

 

[bimmer73]

Bro do not deprive your car of Fully Syntetic Lubs. I am using Total 9000 fully syntetic no top up needed. When you go 10/40 or 15/40 your car engine gets heavier. you will feel the drag. and you will need to change lubs @ 8000km or lesser. the engine lubs will turn your internals really Black not to mention your engine will be working harder than normal. you will have a slight drop in torque. Another good Lub is Behran Oils from middle east currently there is only semi synthetic that is brought in i am waiting for the Fully synthetic my friend is the importer. Behran is using virgin oil. my other friend's Hyundai is using the semi synthetic after fill up the engine is very silent and you can feel the smoothness.

 

[dvng]

bros,

recently my mech recommended to change my oil to ravenol, i've been using it for 10,000 KM already.

is it good? will it harm my M54 ?

I use Ravenol too. Its from Germany, good oil but recently I switch to Shell Helix Ultra to save money. Both Oil is BMW approved LL01 and it is recommended to change the oil in between service intervals.

 

[kayzhen911]

i've been using Bardahl semi and no problems.
smooth and silent.
of coz i coupled with a hydrogen generator.