Ticking / Clunking Sound (engine off); VVT Motor had to be replaced

cfm56d7b · 03-15-2016, 03:06 PM

My 2013 335i xDrive sedan began to exhibit clicking / ticking sound which eventually resulted in a brand new engine replacement a few weeks ago.

I am currently investigating 2 separate unusual sounds:

1. When A/C is on, a faint oscillating click / tick sound can be heard. The sound goes away when A/C is turned off. The A/C compressor is new (has been replaced with the engine replacement). Does anyone have a similar symptom? My local dealer states this is normal.

2. Opened my door and a loud, ticking sound immediately started. The engine was off. The car is at the dealer; being investigated.

PelotonToPodium · 03-16-2016, 12:08 PM

If I'm not mistaken, the ticking when opening your door is the priming of the fuel pump / some technical mumbo jumbo about the car anticipating you starting up. As for the A/C, I have also heard this on a couple of occasions, asked my SA and was told it is normal.

cfm56d7b · 03-16-2016, 02:25 PM

Thanks for the comment. I also suspect the sound may be coming from the fuel pump. However, it never happened before (3 years). The sounds began to appear after the engine has been replaced. And the sound is quite loud, as if generated by a small tractor.

The car is at the dealer. I will post an update after the root cause has been determined.

PelotonToPodium · 03-16-2016, 09:28 PM

Which dealer? I'm OC / LA based as well...Crevier is my home away from home!

cfm56d7b · 03-17-2016, 11:19 AM

PM sent.

cfm56d7b · 03-17-2016, 12:09 PM

My dealer informed me that VVT (valvetronic) motor has to be replaced. Does VVT motor operate (thus generates sounds?) even before the engine has been started?

BimmerF32_430i · 03-17-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

My dealer informed me that VVT (valvetronic) motor has to be replaced. Does VVT motor operate (thus generates sounds?) even before the engine has been started?

VVT replacement is for the second reason you stated?

My car has the ticking/buzzing noise but only with the AC on. There was a SIB a while back which included a weight kit for a specific hose and that was supposed to cure it. I'm gonna be ordering that kit soon and see if that fixes the AC buzzing noise

cfm56d7b · 03-17-2016, 02:45 PM

That's correct. The VVT motor replacement is the answer to the second problem. I asked the shop foreman to call me and share more details why VVT motor may generate sounds without the engine being on.

The weight kit was also installed on my vehicle.

cfm56d7b · 03-22-2016, 02:37 PM

I picked up my car from the dealer yesterday. Drove about 120 miles. No problems so far.

The shop foreman was very helpful. He explained to me that when the vehicle wakes up (power on / the engine does not have be started) VVT motor receives a request to verify its operation. In my instance, whatever was wrong with the VVT motor made a loud clunking sound while the vehicle hasn't been yet started.

cfm56d7b · 04-08-2016, 08:31 AM

Well, after 750 miles the same loud clunking sound has returned.

Is VVT motor failing again? Back to the dealer.

cfm56d7b · 04-13-2016, 10:59 AM

Sharing an update.

The dealer indicated that several cars apparently are in the service department with the same problem. Dialog between the dealer and BMWNA is in progress. Previous recommendation to replace VVT motor did not address the problem.

Does anyone experience the same problem? "Several cars at one dealer with the same problem" tells me that the problem may not be isolated.

cfm56d7b · 04-17-2016, 12:44 AM

Update.

BMWNA engineer asked the dealer to replace DME engine and engine wiring harness.

cfm56d7b · 04-29-2016, 12:26 PM

Update.

DME and the wiring from DME to VVT motor were replaced under warranty. Hopeful that this solves the problem. Will keep this thread warm with more updates in the near future.

M-terkait · 05-02-2016, 04:55 AM

could you capture a video of the issue ?
thanks.

cfm56d7b · 05-02-2016, 12:17 PM

I opened the hood and captured this video w/sound as soon as the ticking sound appeared.

cfm56d7b · 05-10-2016, 02:54 PM

Update.

Replacement of DME and wiring harness between DME and VVT motor did not address the problem.

The ticking sound still occurs when the car is cold and the doors are opened. Escalated to BMWNA. Will share more updates as more information becomes available.

mahmoud samier65603 · 06-22-2016, 01:55 PM

wow i love it

henryeeex · 12-28-2018, 05:51 PM

Are you sure this isn't the fuel pump priming the fuel lines?

cfm56d7b · 12-28-2018, 06:05 PM

The dealer eventually replaced the entire engine after BMW field engineer visit.

F30ed · 01-04-2019, 03:49 PM

This is not the first story with valvetronic ticking on N55. Scary.

cfm56d7b · 01-04-2019, 08:49 PM

The root cause turned out it be not VVT motor. BMW could not determine the root cause while the car was being serviced by the dealer. When diagnostic efforts take too much time while yet another suspect part is scheduled for replacement, the more cost effective decision is often the entire engine replacement. BMW may or may not decide to investigate the problem further after the engine has been shipped to BMW. We as consumers do not have any viability to what happens next.

03-15-2016, 03:06 PM	#1
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Ticking / Clunking Sound (engine off); VVT Motor had to be replaced My 2013 335i xDrive sedan began to exhibit clicking / ticking sound which eventually resulted in a brand new engine replacement a few weeks ago. I am currently investigating 2 separate unusual sounds: 1. When A/C is on, a faint oscillating click / tick sound can be heard. The sound goes away when A/C is turned off. The A/C compressor is new (has been replaced with the engine replacement). Does anyone have a similar symptom? My local dealer states this is normal. 2. Opened my door and a loud, ticking sound immediately started. The engine was off. The car is at the dealer; being investigated. Last edited by cfm56d7b; 03-18-2016 at 11:24 PM..
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03-16-2016, 12:08 PM	#2
PelotonToPodium Private First Class 59 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 335i M-Sport - GSM/Loaded Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	If I'm not mistaken, the ticking when opening your door is the priming of the fuel pump / some technical mumbo jumbo about the car anticipating you starting up. As for the A/C, I have also heard this on a couple of occasions, asked my SA and was told it is normal.
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03-16-2016, 02:25 PM	#3
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the comment. I also suspect the sound may be coming from the fuel pump. However, it never happened before (3 years). The sounds began to appear after the engine has been replaced. And the sound is quite loud, as if generated by a small tractor. The car is at the dealer. I will post an update after the root cause has been determined.
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03-16-2016, 09:28 PM	#4
PelotonToPodium Private First Class 59 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 335i M-Sport - GSM/Loaded Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Which dealer? I'm OC / LA based as well...Crevier is my home away from home!
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03-17-2016, 11:19 AM	#5
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	PM sent.
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03-17-2016, 12:09 PM	#6
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	My dealer informed me that VVT (valvetronic) motor has to be replaced. Does VVT motor operate (thus generates sounds?) even before the engine has been started?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2016, 02:45 PM	#8
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	That's correct. The VVT motor replacement is the answer to the second problem. I asked the shop foreman to call me and share more details why VVT motor may generate sounds without the engine being on. The weight kit was also installed on my vehicle.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2016, 02:37 PM	#9
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	I picked up my car from the dealer yesterday. Drove about 120 miles. No problems so far. The shop foreman was very helpful. He explained to me that when the vehicle wakes up (power on / the engine does not have be started) VVT motor receives a request to verify its operation. In my instance, whatever was wrong with the VVT motor made a loud clunking sound while the vehicle hasn't been yet started.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2016, 08:31 AM	#10
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Well, after 750 miles the same loud clunking sound has returned. Is VVT motor failing again? Back to the dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2016, 10:59 AM	#11
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Sharing an update. The dealer indicated that several cars apparently are in the service department with the same problem. Dialog between the dealer and BMWNA is in progress. Previous recommendation to replace VVT motor did not address the problem. Does anyone experience the same problem? "Several cars at one dealer with the same problem" tells me that the problem may not be isolated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2016, 12:44 AM	#12
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Update. BMWNA engineer asked the dealer to replace DME engine and engine wiring harness.
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04-29-2016, 12:26 PM	#13
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Update. DME and the wiring from DME to VVT motor were replaced under warranty. Hopeful that this solves the problem. Will keep this thread warm with more updates in the near future.
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05-02-2016, 04:55 AM	#14
M-terkait Major 209 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: F30 335i 3/13 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kuwait iTrader: (0)	could you capture a video of the issue ? thanks. __________________ Docrace 6266
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05-02-2016, 12:17 PM	#15
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	I opened the hood and captured this video w/sound as soon as the ticking sound appeared.
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05-10-2016, 02:54 PM	#16
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Update. Replacement of DME and wiring harness between DME and VVT motor did not address the problem. The ticking sound still occurs when the car is cold and the doors are opened. Escalated to BMWNA. Will share more updates as more information becomes available.
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06-22-2016, 01:55 PM	#17
mahmoud samier65603 New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: mahmoud samier65603 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: mahmoud samier65603 iTrader: (0)	wow i love it __________________ How I wish to become like Steve Jobs with his mind and his soul and his thinking
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12-28-2018, 05:51 PM	#18
henryeeex Private First Class 41 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Are you sure this isn't the fuel pump priming the fuel lines?
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12-28-2018, 06:05 PM	#19
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	The dealer eventually replaced the entire engine after BMW field engineer visit.
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01-04-2019, 03:49 PM	#20
F30ed Second Lieutenant 71 Rep 230 Posts Drives: F30 328i, X3 35M Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	This is not the first story with valvetronic ticking on N55. Scary. Last edited by F30ed; 01-04-2019 at 03:58 PM..
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01-04-2019, 08:49 PM	#21
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	The root cause turned out it be not VVT motor. BMW could not determine the root cause while the car was being serviced by the dealer. When diagnostic efforts take too much time while yet another suspect part is scheduled for replacement, the more cost effective decision is often the entire engine replacement. BMW may or may not decide to investigate the problem further after the engine has been shipped to BMW. We as consumers do not have any viability to what happens next.
	Appreciate 0 Quote