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Strange "ticking" noise from front of engine

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Old 12-23-2009, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 05545i' post='1078531' date='Dec 22 2009, 06:05 PM
A similar tick happened to mine, the waterpump was shot. Try grabbing the water pump pulley and moving it up and down. If there is play, thats more than likely the noise you are hearing. It requires replacement.
Thanks Everyone...

Brought the 5er into a local independent in the Western Suburbs of chicago, and they diagnosed with a stethoscope, and the noise is definitely coming from the Water Pump.

Quoted me a good price for Water pump, thermostat, and a flush and fill of coolant. Around $850 total. Not too bad in my opinion....Heck, it could've been the VANOS!

Again, thanks to everyone who read this!
Old 12-23-2009, 12:00 PM
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This should be easy to isolate as being the water pump or not, if the noise is always there and even at start up after the car has cooled down.

Wait overnight. Remove the drive belt and run the car. Is the noise there or not? Running the car from cold for a few minutes without the drive belt will cause no issues as the car hasn't even reached operating temperature and the thermostat is probably still closed.
Old 12-23-2009, 12:23 PM
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It's probably the alternator. All three of my BMWs always had this annoying ticking or high pitch whine coming out of the alternator. I've always been told that as long as it charges correctly, there's nothing they can do. As long as I don't hear it from the inside, I'm OK with it.
Old 12-23-2009, 01:24 PM
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Waterpump is common on these engines...for whatever reason, especially at lower mileage
Old 12-23-2009, 01:58 PM
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I just took a vid with my phone. Does yours sound like this?

http://www.zshare.net/download/70292240a79488d4/
I'm not sure if it's when the heating is on or off, but either way, it sounds kinda weird. I should probably take it in. Car's got about 11k on it after a year and a half and it shouldn't have this kinda crap happening to it.
Old 12-23-2009, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by E60714' post='1079060' date='Dec 23 2009, 05:58 PM
I just took a vid with my phone. Does yours sound like this?

http://www.zshare.net/download/70292240a79488d4/

I'm not sure if it's when the heating is on or off, but either way, it sounds kinda weird. I should probably take it in. Car's got about 11k on it after a year and a half and it shouldn't have this kinda crap happening to it.
No, that's pretty loud. I would have it checked. G/L
Old 12-23-2009, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1079117' date='Dec 23 2009, 09:05 PM
No, that's pretty loud. I would have it checked. G/L

Anything specific I should say? Like "check such and such part" in case they try to BS me and tell me it's a "normal" sound?
Old 12-24-2009, 05:18 AM
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Originally Posted by E60714' post='1079136' date='Dec 23 2009, 09:19 PM
Anything specific I should say? Like "check such and such part" in case they try to BS me and tell me it's a "normal" sound?
Not really sure, but it's definitely not normal. If they try to pull the "normal sound" rouse, tell them you want them to show you this on similar cars on their lot. Ask for their shop foreman to come out to the car with you and hear it while you're there. G/L
Old 12-24-2009, 07:16 AM
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Just thought of something. Even though I think my current sound is coming from the water pump, I did have the AC compressor replaced under warranty several years ago . It was also making a ticking sound. The sound would change depending on whether the AC compressor clutch was engaged or disengaged.
Old 12-24-2009, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1079117' date='Dec 23 2009, 07:05 PM
No, that's pretty loud. I would have it checked. G/L

That sounds different than mine. I guess I shouldn't have said "ticking", mine sounds more like a "clunking". Like how a diesel engine sounds. Yours sounds more like my old E36 M that had a VANOS tick.

The tech localized it to the water pump with the stethoscope, but he said he wouldn't know for sure, until he took it apart. Hopefully this is the culprit.

Bringing the car in on Tuesday, so I'll keep you all posted.

G/L with your tick!


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