Hi,
My 530xi with a N53 engine has this nasty ticking sound. All Roller drag levers, Alignment elements, Camshaft + injectors has just been replaced. Still, it has this ticking sound I measured the sound to 5Hz when engine is idling at 600RPM = 10 Hz. Fits well with valves operating....Anyone that might have an idea what this could be? Thanks.. Dennis

 

Your car has the infamous valve ticking. There is a SIB for the problem. Cars built after Nov 2009 have an improved cylinder head design that gets more oil to the hydraulic lifters. There is a partial fix to change out the exhaust lifters.

See this post:
https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...5/#post1561301

 

Thanks for the answer. But, the SIB does not cover N53 engine, only N52. And, all 24 hydraulic lifters have just been replaced. I guess it still could be 1 of the lifters making the noise.... but how to find the right one? I have measured and analysed the frequency and in idle (11Hz = 660 Rpm) the ticking noise has a frequency of 5.5Hz matching the frequency of the valves (or injector). Do I need to replace all lifters again, or could it be that the oil is blocked on the way to the lifter?