My petrol 2005 BMW 325i sounds like a diesel. Help?!

[RickDecker2002]

Recently purchased 2005 BMW 325i. Im not sure if the engine should sound like this? It sounds like my old Jetta Diesel engine? I understand diesel sounds like it does due to the fuel injection and valve system. But what’s causing my petrol engine to sound like this? Is this normal?
Oil is new. Valvoline
Proper level too.
Car drives perfect. Good power no warning lights, nothing . 120k miles
Any input greatly appreciated!!!

Link to video posted
https://youtu.be/2xMGbtIgBgU

[328 Power 04]

From the short clip, I don't think it's the failing VANOS rattle sound. It sounds a bit like loud lifters.

What *exact* oil is it filled with?

[MarcoZandrini]

You need to check the oil. The engine needs to run a fully synthetic 5W30 oil. The lifters sounds like the oil is too thin. If you decide to change the oil make sure you install a new oil filter that’s made by Mann and not some brand from the parts store. I read good things about Wix filters, too. Why? There are horror stories about after market filters (e.g., Fran) failing (coming apart) and clogging up engine oil passages. You can buy a Mann oil filter on Amazon.

[RickDecker2002]

Yes, I use valvoline fully synthetic valvoline 5w30 oil.
Maybe I can try thicker oil next time?
Its euther the high pressure fuel filter which is making noise, in which case ill use a fuel system cleaner
Or possibly one if the valves is sticking? But the oil is the correct one so should i try a thicker oil?
Want to bring in to the local shop but i live in NJ, land if mechanics who will do $800 of wirk and not fix the problem
Its not bothering me crazy much because Engine still runs oerfect. But its just annoying for a nice bmw with low miles to sound like a Cummins Diesel

[bmwdirtracer]

There is no such thing as a high pressure fuel filter.

Furthermore, your engine is an M54, so it doesn't have a high pressure fuel system.

Valves don't stick; lifters do. Thicker oil doesn't fix sticky lifters.

Rev the engine to ~3000 rpm for 2 or 3 minutes in neutral or park. Then let it idle, get out and listen. Is it quiet now?

All mechanics like to do $800 worth of work and not fix the problem; it's how we get even with people who bad mouth mechanics while we're on a forum trying to help people for free.

[RickDecker2002]

Ok I will try your method of revving it to 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. But im not sure if it will work as whenever I drive for long perothe sound intensity does not change a bit.
I didnt mean to badmouth any mechanics. I meant I live in a “shitty” part of NJ, camden. Do get a decent mechanic I need to drive well out the city. And im lokking to try to fix it myself, even if partially, before taking it to a mechanic

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And $800 seemed to be the price I paid to a local shop to change water pump, but it went from a leaking pump, to a constantly overheating pump. So I drove to a specialist bmw shop 40 minutes south that actually knew how to fix it the first time.

[RickDecker2002]

Ok I will try your method of revving it to 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. But im not sure if it will work as whenever I drive for long perothe sound intensity does not change a bit.
I didnt mean to badmouth any mechanics. I meant I live in a “shitty” part of NJ, camden. Do get a decent mechanic I need to drive well out the city. And im lokking to try to fix it myself, even if partially, before taking it to a mechanic

[RickDecker2002]

Ok so I have tried revi g it at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. Nothing. I even tried for 6 minutes. Same intensity sound. I saw a youtube cideo with a very similar sounding bmw where the issue was a clogged fuel injector
should I use an additive fuel cleaner? Or take the time to take out each injector, inspect and vlean them?

[bmwdirtracer]

A clogged fuel injector doesn't make any different sound than an unclogged one. Injectors like yours, for a non-direct injection engine, barely click loudly enough to hear with a stethoscope.

Furthermore, the frequency of the sound in your video is far beyond the frequency of a single cylinder injector firing (once per 2 revolutions of the engine.)

The revving which I recommended is the official BMW way to TRY to deal with lifters that aren't pumping up. It was certainly worth a try....and it was free.

Due to the frequency and pitch of the sound, I still tend to think this is a lifter issue....which just might mean that you're not getting correct oiling to the top end of the motor. If the sound were less frequent, and "slappier", I'd consider timing chain/ tensioner issues.

[Breeze1]

If one or several lifters are stuck, probably because of a sludge build up, you could try an engine oil flush on your next oil change (as the name suggests, the oil needs to be flushed immediately after use, following instructions. Usually you let the car idle for about 15min without revving it at all, to avoid any damage from the solvants inside, and change the oil).

https://www.amazon.com/Liqui-Moly-20.../dp/B00CR3RXTO

http://www.bardahl.nl/en/product/010...gine-flush-en/

[MIKYZZ4]

From the video, the sound gives the impression of a high mileage, well worn engine,
even though you state the mileage at only 120,000mi.

Try an oil change with some high detergent oil to help flush any sludge buildup-Shell Rotella T6 5W-40:https://www.googleadservices.com/pag...9aACCDs&adurl=
This will help clear up any sludge buildup in the lifters as well as to determine whether a heavier weight oil may help.
After about 1000miles or 2~3 months if you don't drive it much-drain that oil. For this change, use something other than Valvoline,
as your engine does not seem to prefer it.

Here is one that my M54 engines seem to prefer and sound smoother with - European Formula

Castrol EDGE 0W-40

:https://www.googleadservices.com/pag...9aACCDY&adurl=

Don't forget to ONLY use oil filters pictured here:https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/32...005&m=20&e=177

[RickDecker2002]

GENTLEMEN I HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. Upon recommendation of an autozone employee I poured a bottle of Lucas Fuel treatment and a bottle of MMO into an almost empty gas tank. It ran like crap on this mixture so I just let it idle until I added fresh gas. My engine is now so quiet I can barely tell its on. I guess the issue might have been with something fuel related? Possibly injectors?
Not sure just happy $14 dollars fixed the problem put on 150 miles so far sound much better!!

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And thank you for everyone’s input!!!

[Breeze1]

Glad it's gotten better! Just a word of advise regarding that mixture: I don't know what you mean by "MMO" but as far as fuel treatment goes, don't drive your car hard unless you've added a full tank of gas.
I would have a piston on my former engine explain to you why it's a stupid idea, but unfortunately it has shattered into a lot of shiny metal pieces.
Seriously: my engine was not in the best shape and had a ticking sound but still, those treatments can be hard on engine internals so take it easy until they've been consumed or mix them with a lot of fresh gas...

[bmwdirtracer]

[RickDecker2002]

MMO is marvels mystery oil. And lucas fuel system cleaner. It was a big jug of it. Car probably ran on 50/50 additive /gas mixture for 10 minutes. I did not add any MMO to the oil because the representative told me it can thin my oil and do more damage then good. In the fuel it cleans both injectors and valves. But not sure how it cleans valves when in fuel?
glad its gone. Hopefully doesn’t come back. I can post a video later of how it sounds. So quit now I forget it’s running.

[MIKYZZ4]

But not sure how it cleans valves when in fuel?

During combustion.

I can post a video later of how it sounds.

Please do, for comparison purposes.

[Breeze1]

MMO is marvels mystery oil. And lucas fuel system cleaner. It was a big jug of it. Car probably ran on 50/50 additive /gas mixture for 10 minutes. I did not add any MMO to the oil because the representative told me it can thin my oil and do more damage then good. In the fuel it cleans both injectors and valves. But not sure how it cleans valves when in fuel?
glad its gone. Hopefully doesn’t come back. I can post a video later of how it sounds. So quit now I forget it’s running.

Fuel and air are mixed together into the combustion chamber, which sits above the piston. They are allowed to enter said chamber upon opening of the intake valve. They are then ignited by a spark (produced, you've guessed it, by a spark plug), and the mixture goes through a combustion process. The burnt gases resulting from combustion are evacuated upon opening of the exhaust valve. Exhaust gases coming from each combustion chamber (6 in the case of your engine) are then gathered into the exhaust manifold and rushed to the back of the car, where they get released.

[bmwdirtracer]

Let's just acknowledge that there's no one working at Autozoo that knows anything about cars.

Your engine's injectors don't make noises that resemble lifter noises, and fuel system additives don't fix noises like you had.

Yeah, I know, you heard the difference. I'm going to have to attribute that difference to the oiling system, not the fuel system.

Personally, I think it's most likely that your engine freed up some oiling passage, coincidental to the Autozoo guy throwing "Mechanic in a can" at your car/

[MIKYZZ4]

Rick,was this post simply an MMO and Lucas fuel system word of mouth advertisement?
It sure smells like it. Or simply a shout-out for AutoZone employees and their miraculous diagnostic skills...LOL!

[MIKYZZ4]

The product instructions only recommend 4-6 ounces per tank, and you say that you used a full gallon jug?

ADDED TO FUEL: At every fill-up add 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil to every 10 gallons of gas or diesel. An average passenger car tank is 15 gallons, so you would add 6 ounces at every fill-up. Regular use can lead to improved fuel economy.ADDED TO ENGINE OIL: Use Marvel Mystery Oil in the crankcase to benefit oil. At your next oil change, replace 20% of your engine oil (traditional or synthetic) with Marvel Mystery Oil. For example, if your engine has a 5-quart oil capacity, replace one of the quarts with a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. Repeat at every oil change for optimal performance. Marvel Mystery Oil can be added to engine oil 300 to 500 miles before your next oil change to supplement sludge removal and enhance engine cleaning.

[RickDecker2002]

Ill post a video of how the engine sounds in the morning. Only noise I can hear is mild belt noise from it being -20 at night . Im not advertising any product. Legit all the fuel and oil additives contain the same ingredient. If I remember correctly it’s like 90% mineral spirit and mineral oils. They are all the same there is like 20 different manufacturers for the same products. I think running such a high mixture of gas and “mineral” oils which acts as a “detergent” freed up something in the engine that was making the noise. And yeah I don’t believe Autozone employees are mechanics lol. But allot of times your car experiences problems that don’t require complicated solutions (more often its the other way around).