At about 12,000 miles, I began to notice an engine clatter on acceleration. It was slight. On a service visit, I asked the dealer to check it. They told me the technician couldn't hear anything and neither could the BMW rep who was at the dealership that day. I told myself it was my imagination.

However, the clatter remained. Riding in a friend's 545i, I heard nothing. On a return visit to the dealer (for something unrelated), I told them I still thought it had a clatter. This time the technician confirmed that he heard it too. He found no faults displayed in the computer. When he disconnected the valvetronic motors, the noise went away. He pulled the valve covers and supposedly found no wear. After consulting with BMW, they replaced both cylinder heads and the valves. So far (about 500 miles), seems to be fixed. BMW specifically asked if I had been using high octane fuel, and I had - always 93 octane.

This car was built in December 2004. I know there has been some previous discussion on defective valve lifters. Not sure if this is the same problem, but I thought I would share in case others experience it.

 

I had this problem too. My 545 built date is 10/04 which is about the same time as yours.
Look as this thred carefully and it should give you more info on what I have done;
Long story short, after 6 month of in and out of the dealership, a dozen of call to BMWNA, the field
engineer finally suggested to replace my CAM Tensioner.

It silenced my tapping noises for 3 months and the noises have returned, albeit a little quieter than before.

If you do a search, Rody has posted the video that I stuck inside the engine bay. Good luck.


engine knocking

See also this post:

selling my 545i

 

I think I might be noticing the same thing lately. It's not knocking or anything like that, it seems to be more of a whining/humming sound on very slow acceleration from 0. I'm not sure how to explain it...

 

Yeah, this valve tapping issue has been around for a while. I had the valvetonic levers replaced 6 months ago. The old ones were in fact built during the period where it seems they were made out of tolerance.
It has helped, but some valve tapping is still there during cold weather. It's better when warm, but not 100% in my opinion.
There is apparently for the first time a mention of a software fix for this issue in version 20. It refers to engine pinging "dieseling" noise for the N62TU ( 4.8l ) V8, but since the electronics and valvetronic system is identical to the 4.4l, it is probably recommended to have this update. I'm going in next week for it...will let you know if it helps.

Has nothing to do with octane number BTW. It is not an engine knocking issue.

 

i now have have 11,500 on my 545i the noise has only gotten worse.the check engine light now goes off for high emmissions.i brought it in for the same problem last week,but the tech tells me i musta been low on gas.NOW I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THE BULLSHIT I GET FROM THEM.WHAT SHOULD I DO?

 

can anyone describe what this noise sounds like?? I might be having a similar problem.

 

it's almost like a ticking noise

 

Thanks to all; I am glad to know about this potential problem.

 

On mine, it was a clacking or clicking on acceleration. I used to have a Jeep that would clatter when I used low octane fuel. Similar sound.

Mine is definitely better after replacement of the heads, but I'm not convinced that its normal. Thanks to everyone for their comments.

 

I thought it was the transmission??

Not to highjack the post but does anyone have lurching when the cruise is on around 35mph?