Ticking 2008 BMW X3, oil choices?

[ryan2022]

Hi folks,

Apparently this is common with the 3.0 Litre X3 engine in the 3.0Si model.

The engine ticks quite noticeably when it's cold. One it's warm it purrs like a kitten.

I'm currently running Castrol 5w40 which is recommended. It runs nicely on it, and the oil fits the bill.

Has anyone tried other options in this engine and had a change in the ticking? M1 0-40, 5w40, Pennzoil euro etc...?

Apparenlty it's the head design. They say it isn't a defect, but have a mild redesign on the head. I have another year and a half PT warranty. Maybe it's worth taking in at some point.

Thanks for any advice.

Sorry, just realized this is probably in the wrong forum.

Ryan

 

[jacky]

there are many additives to quiet ticking duralube is one of them

 

[ARCOgraphite]

My watch is ticking - anything to cure this?
-
-
-
I would only (start to consider to) worry if still ticking when fully warm or HOT, not cold. Injectors can be noisy.

 

[guyonearth]

What exactly is "ticking"? Lifters? Followers? How loud is it? Can you hear it in the car? A lot of engines have noticeable valve noise, when the hood is open and you're right on top of it. If BMW says it's normal, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guys.

It's apparently an exhaust valve lifter design issue. BMW says it's just audible, but wont cause any harm over the life on the engine.

I was just wondering if anyone noticed a difference with a thinner oil.

 

[typ901]

Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Thanks guys.

It's apparently an exhaust valve lifter design issue. BMW says it's just audible, but wont cause any harm over the life on the engine.

I was just wondering if anyone noticed a difference with a thinner oil.


Read thru this...I had similar problem with my son's 07' 328xi.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3615662/Re:_Cure_for_BMW_N52_Engine_Li#Post3615662

 

[aquariuscsm]

I wouldn't go with a thinner oil,definitely stay in spec.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks for the link. I'll read it now.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Yeah, the http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3615547/Cure_for_BMW_N52_Engine_Lifter
discussed it.

The Hyperlube (polymer ester) additive works for me. I recently changed my oil (using Castrol Edge) and the ticking is back!!! Now I'm going to add in the Hyperlube again to see if I get the same cure again.

After researching Hyperlube, its my current favorite. Its simply a polymer ester, used with some success to build up a film on the parts at low temperatures, and I'm theorizing that is what cures it. Maybe, right? All I really know is that it stops the infamous BMW ticking.

That ticking is not cool. Mechanical parts slapping together in there. Not catastrophic, but certainly must increase wear rates.

 

[ryan2022]

Yeah, that's my thought as well. It might just be audible, not damped quite as well because of air pockets.

I emailed Lubromoly, and will check out Hyperlube as well.

Thanks for the help!

 

[typ901]

I have GC 0w-30 in my sons now and it is back to sewing machine smooth and quiet. Also he does a lot of short drives, mostly to school which is only 4 miles one way, and the car has managed to keep quiet.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Originally Posted By: typ901
I have GC 0w-30 in my sons now and it is back to sewing machine smooth and quiet. Also he does a lot of short drives, mostly to school which is only 4 miles one way, and the car has managed to keep quiet.


You know other have reported GC 0w-30 helps a lot. (Note that bobbydavro, a "wikileaker Assange-style" (LOL...) on this forum from Australian Castrol I believe, has said that the Walmart Castrol 0w-40 in the bargain 5-quart jugs is essentially the same as GC-Belgian 0w-30 with only minor differences.)

Maybe what's going on with the German-Belgian Castrol 0w-30 and 0w-40 is that something like the Magnatec effect is happening, like what Hyperlube brings to the party.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Yeah, that's my thought as well. It might just be audible, not damped quite as well because of air pockets.

I emailed Lubromoly, and will check out Hyperlube as well.

Thanks for the help!


Oil air foaming is though to be the cause of the bleed-down, but make no mistake, that ticking noise is the cam lobes hitting the followers with some violence, not good. Survivable for some time, but not good.