[ColdUpHere]

Hey all! I took a break from BMWs for a while but I am now back in an N63 F10. The car is completely stock for now until I sort out a few things that have been bothering me, which brings me to this thread.

I have recently had this rattling/tapping sound, which sounds like it is coming from the passenger side of the engine bay and is mainly audible from inside the cabin (I can hear it faintly when I put my ear near the passenger headlight/kidney grille, but it is hard to hear over the injectors )

Here is a video of the noise:

This noise only exists when the car is in idle, and usually, when it has warmed up. As soon as I blip the throttle, the noise goes away.

I had changed the spark plugs a week or two before the noise started and I initially thought the noise might be from the air filter housings rattling around, but I don't think thats the issue as this issue came about at least a week afterwards and there is no change to the sound if I go under the hood and hold the air boxes steady.

I am looking for any ideas whatsoever as to what could be causing this!! I am going deaf by having to crank up the radio high enough to drown out this sound while driving haha. I would appreciate any and all help in tracking this down.

[ezaircon4jc]

I'm no mechanic, but that sure sounds like rod knock to me. I hope I'm wrong.

[Júlio Alberti]

I have the same problem, but mine is an N55.
You know what's the problem?

[spielnicht]

That is a rod knock, usually caused by rod bearings going bad. Low oil pressure, no oil changes, and/or excess driving past safe RPM. Usually means the engine is done for because the at least one of the cylinder walls is now scorched and there is likely damage to the cylinder head. Worst case scenario - you'd also have a nice new opening in your block if the rod got thrown off of the shaft.

Sorry you're going through this. Went through it recently with a Mercedes and it wasn't pleasant.

[musclesmarinara75]

I agree, that sure sounds like a rod bro.... yikes

[gtp375]

hey ColdUpHere I am experiencing the same with my 550i. Not as loud as that though.

It only happens after about 20 minutes of driving and at either very low speed or at the traffic lights. When I take off, it goes away completely. drives really well and has not had a hard life. 85,000km. It is really annoying and like you, i put the music up so I do not hear it.

Did you end up identifying the issue?

[F10ChrisM]

It's most likely your vacuum pump, I've seen it in other videos. While idling, open up your oil cap on top of the motor. If you hear a tapping noise that connects to the one your hearing now, it's most def the vacuum pump.

[STobe]

Did you ever figure out the issue? Mine is making the same noise...

Originally Posted by ColdUpHere

Hey all! I took a break from BMWs for a while but I am now back in an N63 F10. The car is completely stock for now until I sort out a few things that have been bothering me, which brings me to this thread.

I have recently had this rattling/tapping sound, which sounds like it is coming from the passenger side of the engine bay and is mainly audible from inside the cabin (I can hear it faintly when I put my ear near the passenger headlight/kidney grille, but it is hard to hear over the injectors )

Here is a video of the noise:

This noise only exists when the car is in idle, and usually, when it has warmed up. As soon as I blip the throttle, the noise goes away.

I had changed the spark plugs a week or two before the noise started and I initially thought the noise might be from the air filter housings rattling around, but I don't think thats the issue as this issue came about at least a week afterwards and there is no change to the sound if I go under the hood and hold the air boxes steady.

I am looking for any ideas whatsoever as to what could be causing this!! I am going deaf by having to crank up the radio high enough to drown out this sound while driving haha. I would appreciate any and all help in tracking this down.