Loud ticking noise after running the car hard

[QuestMCoupe]

After a fast run like on the freeway or something my car begins to tick really loud. I cant hear while I'm driving on the freeway but after I slow down and go about 40mph. How can I check if I have a bent valve or not? What else can be the problem? Any help is appreciated.

[Stockman]

I think its common... and the remedy has been to overfill your oil...


there was a long thread on this awhile back.. happened ALOT after auto-xing

[Bernman]

The autocrossers seem to have this a lot, but freeway driving usually is not enough to cause it. I don't remember the exact cause, the the solution apparently is to overfill the oil a bit. In your case, maybe the oil level is a bit low. Even if it is not, it is worth trying to top off the oil a bit to see if this helps.

Good luck,
Bernman

[QuestMCoupe]

Thanks guys

[Lopaka]

Well, you can do a compression or leak down test to check for a bad valve. Secondly, if you do have a bent valve, you probably will get a check engine light i.e. knock fault depending on how severe. Also, if you do hear a ticking sound a couple of things, timing chain tensioner or valve train, depending on where the ticking sound is coming from. You can try more oil (not too much), changing to a heavier weight oil 20-50 or a higher octane fuel to see if it goes away. if not... ask again.

[QuestMCoupe]

Thanks. Maybe I cant try running a compression test. I already use 93 octane which is the highest sold around here. I'm not sure if I should get thicker oil though.

[Austin]

: I dont think its Timing chain cuz the noise your talkin about is coming from the under side towards the back of your engine right ??

We have the tool to do compression test if you dont. Need to put on a lift an get under it to hear it. Changing to a heavy weight oil might work also Wal-mart has big 5 quart containers of 20w-50.

Run sum detergent stuff thru your engine even thou ppl say it does'n help I can tell a difference.....I show u this stuff its strong an works good sold at local store in D'ville.

[BMWDRIVEN]

I wouldnt run anything but oil through the engine.

[Blazin95Red325i]

I have the same thing, when I'm accelerating in the mornings and the car reaches 3.5-4000rpm the motor starts ticking as if its going to blow, knda scary so i ease off. I think its the lack of the oil being circulated until the car gets hot but i hear other e36 drivers gunning it in the mornin and they dont have this same problem, or do it sounds. now, Obviously i dont do this deliberately, only when running the yellow. I just wanted to know if this could be a bad head gasket, and if it happens at high rpms and in the morning. thanks

[m3k]

Sounds like you have a valve thats starting to go bad. possibly. Run some lightweight oil and rosilone (available at local autoparts stores) and that will free up any residue that is gettin stuf around your valves. Did that on my boss's 98 540i and its totally gone now

[autox320]

Quest325is,
what oil are you running?

my experience with the autox and ticking is because of the extreme cornering involved combined with the oil pump pickup. It can get starved of oil. Autoxers commonly overfill by 1/2 quart.

It's hard to say...could be a valve or just the lifters for your problem. Listen closely for the noise near the front of the engine to be sure it's not the vanos unit.

[autox320]

92' i guess you don't have vanos; It's not uncommon to be the lifters unless of course you know of an over rev.