320ci M54b22 valve cover rattle

[SanderVdW]

Hi guys,

I've got a nasty rattle coming from the left side of the valve cover. The car has been on stand-by for the last 2 years, with the exception of a startup once a few months. The car has 225.000km and has always been taken care of very well. Before putting the car to the side I've did an oil and all filters change, also adding fuel stabilizer. I personally think this is a broken or clogged valve lifter, but I still need some advice from the pro's, so please do.

Here is a link with video of the sound: https://youtu.be/LPcgJkW6Wso


Thanks in advance for the replies

[dworthy]

First thought that came to mind is the oil has drained out of the hydraulic lifter and collapsed. There is a bleed procedure that can been done with the car warm, rev the motor up to around 2500 for a couple of minutes and see if it goes away.