ticking-like sound

[trashmanpenn]

hey guys, i've suddenly developed a strange noise. it seems to be loudest near the valve cover. here's a video of it: https://youtu.be/ueNmiEsDqPs

the sound goes away once the engine is warmed up.

may or may not be correlated, but i did also notice my oil level drop a little quicker than it usually does, it was about 7/10ths to the top line of the dipstick when i checked.

thanks!

[trashmanpenn]

anybody?

[monty23psk]

 Sounds like your chain tensioner. When they are going bad, they are louder until engine gets warm. Make sure oil is not too low as well. Tensioner is just below the valve cover on the exhaust side.

[trashmanpenn]

hmmm... could be, but the tensioner was replaced fairly recently by the previous owner (about two years ago). would be strange to have it fail so early

[monty23psk]

Well much easier and cheaper if it is the tensioner versus the lifters. It either is starving for oil, they will tick loud. The tensioner will sound more like a slapping. They both get better after oil is warmed. Also, the m44 tenionser is the one to get. Did he replace it with an m42 one?

[trashmanpenn]

i think he replaced it with the m44 one. part #11311743187, oem. is it possible my oil is too thick?

[DesktopDave]

I'd pull the valve cover and have a look down the chain case to see what your guides & cam gears look like. That clattering sounds too fast for a lifter, might be the chain rattling. The old-style tensioners would occasionally munch the case, and the old-style idler gear bearing would fail at random mileages.

Your '95 shouldn't have those problems. Chain noise can migrate up the case, it's hard to determine the source without a mech stethoscope. In a pinch, you can use a long-handled screwdriver instead. I wouldn't do that on the front of a running motor though, the risk of a belt-related injury is unacceptably high.

I run pretty thick oil in most of my BMWs, they seem to prefer it. I noted that my M42 ran very high levels of wear metals with thinner oils like 5w30. I've switched to a full-synth 15w50 and my used oil reports showed an immediate drop in wear metals.

[trashmanpenn]

well, the sound disappeared completely, i have no idea why, but it's gone. seems like it only lasted a couple days. don't know if a should be relieved or concerned, lol. but on the topic of thick oils, i'm running 15w-40. will this even be okay to run in the winter?

[DesktopDave]

I'd figure you're OK with 15w40 year-round. I've been running 15w50 year-round for a while with good results. I can share my oil reports if you'd like to see results.

As for the rattling, hopefully it was just a stuck lifter. I'm glad it's gone away. If the car sat for a few years before you bought it that's pretty likely.

[318lotis]

   i also have been running 15w- 50   mobile 1 full synthetic;  Walmart $22.88 5 quart jug is a bargain.  i have been running it 18 months straight through winter  {Mild winter with garage.}   Kentucky.   I'm due for change, car seems to like this flavor. May drop to 10w-40
 this winter.   its also $22.88 5 quart jug or $9.00 per quart.

               i had that ticking sound several months ago. new tensioner from Bavarian autosports with mahle oil filter $5.00 and 15w-50 mobile1 full synthetic;  Car went back to proper  sewing machine show room sound.