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Thread: 540ia ticking/rattling under acceleration

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Lima, Peru
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    1993 E34 540ia

    540ia ticking/rattling under acceleration

    Hey guys, I'm back to 90's BMW after some other brands and a 130i.

    I just bought a 90k miles 540ia, one owner car, very very clean.

    It has some minor cosmetic issues but something is bothering.

    Car pulls great until redline.

    There is a ticking, metallic sound that I can only hear under load, around 1500rpm+.

    If, my window is down, it's hard to hear, in neutral, can't hear it.

    Based on this, guess I can eliminate any chain issues?

    Car has no cats from factory (euro car), just replaced (deleted) resonator and the shop says it has no exhaust leaks, although he was not thoruogh enough.

    I also have a bad oil level sensor (not preassure), have not checked the pump bolts issue, so it might be this.

    What other thing could cause this, the transmission? It does not slip any gears, tranny oil was changed by the prvious owner at BMW dealer.

    At the moment, I'm between, loose oil pump or exhaust leak, probably around headers.

    I've read in a thread that maybe it could be some loose brake pads?

    What do you guys think?

    Any input will be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Somewhere.
    Posts
    113
    My Cars
    1994 540i M60B44 swap
    I have the exact same problem with mine. I thought it was the flexplate but I could be wrong.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Melb, Oz
    Posts
    136
    My Cars
    1993 BMW 540i
    Marginal low oil pressure causes lifter chatter in one of mine. It's worse under load at low rpm but clears up temporarily after a bit of high rpm

    I think the pump bolts need checking (again) since a couple of times I've had to brake hard (emergency) the oil pressure light is on for a split second

    1993 BMW 540i

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    87
    My Cars
    1993 540i
    Exhaust leak, hydraulic lifters, loose spark plug

    E34 540i 6speed, M60B44, 272/254 cams, JB Racing LW Flywheel, Link G4+ Extreme, Powerdyne BD10 supercharger, 3.15LSD, H&R + Bilstein, 3" exhaust, M5 swaybars, 17x8.5/9.5 ACS Type II

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Prescott, Az
    Posts
    439
    My Cars
    '95 540i/6
    My first, immediate reaction was detonation /knock/ping under load.
    Are you using premium fuel?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    You should reproduce the sound with someone listening with the hood open. It could be lack of chain tension and the chain contacting the valve cover. Typically due to lower than ideal oil pressure, backed out oil pump bolts, too much slack in the oil pump chain. Might be worth dropping the pan and inspecting.
    Jason Grace

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Lima, Peru
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    1993 E34 540ia
    I appreciate very much your replies.

    401michael, if it was the flexplate, then it would be only for manual cars correct?

    I also thought knocking but I put around 12 gallons of 97octane (91/93US) on an almost empty tank, so I rulled it out.

    First thing I'm going to do is lower oil pan and check for loose bolts.

    With the pan down, is it posible to check for chain tension?

    Thanks!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by drvelasco View Post
    I appreciate very much your replies.

    401michael, if it was the flexplate, then it would be only for manual cars correct?

    I also thought knocking but I put around 12 gallons of 97octane (91/93US) on an almost empty tank, so I rulled it out.

    First thing I'm going to do is lower oil pan and check for loose bolts.

    With the pan down, is it posible to check for chain tension?

    Thanks!
    Once you have the pan off, you can check oil pump chain tension, not timing chain tension. It might be a good idea to replace your chain tensioner as well.
    Jason Grace

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Lima, Peru
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    1993 E34 540ia
    Hey guys, just a quick update.

    Saturday I dropped my oil pan, all of the bolts were in their place, oil pump chain, no slack.

    So now I can rule this out.

    Inspected all spark plugs, they were in good condition and tight, so I also rule this out.

    Changed oil with Liquimoly 10W-40 with MOS2.

    The ticking persists!!

    I'm torn between a hidden exhaust leak, probably around driver's side exhaust manifold or lifters.

    This noise is clearly heard under load 1500-2500rpm, with all windows up. In neutral, I'm pretty sure there is no noise. This leads to think if it can be transmission related?

    Thanks!




    Changed my oil with filter.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    331
    My Cars
    1989 535i
    Quote Originally Posted by drvelasco View Post
    I also thought knocking but I put around 12 gallons of 97octane (91/93US) on an almost empty tank, so I rulled it out.
    I doubt this is the full cause but do you often drive all the way down to a near empty tank? It might be sucking through some dirt from the fuel tank and causing some clogging.

    If there's no noise in neutral but there is when driving, it could be transmission related or something drivetrain related at least. Set up a recording device like your phone outside the car when it's parked and give it a few revs to see if it does occur.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Somewhere.
    Posts
    113
    My Cars
    1994 540i M60B44 swap
    I have the same issue and do believe it could be an exhaust leak perhaps or a warped flexplate the ticking noise in my car gets faster with rpm increase so I am leaning towards the driveline somewhere

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Lima, Peru
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    7
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    1993 E34 540ia
    This is a complete noob question, but what is a flexplate? From what I see, it only comes with manual cars?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by drvelasco View Post
    This is a complete noob question, but what is a flexplate? From what I see, it only comes with manual cars?
    Manuals have flywheels, autos have flex plates.
    Jason Grace

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Lima, Peru
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    1993 E34 540ia
    Hmmm, sounds expensive! Did a quick google search and can't find any new flexplate neither ebay/ecstuning.

    How can I be sure if it's the flexplate?

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