Engine noise at idle thats not ticking... Knocking?

smithf80 · 10-13-2014, 08:33 PM

Hey Guys,

Recently noticed that when my car is at resting idle (lets say you get back from a drive and you put the car in park and leave it on for a minute) there is what sounds like a knock knock knock sound coming from the engine thats definitely not the injector tick. Can hear it in the cabin if radio isn't on. It seemed like I first noticed this after I coded for the sport auto transmission but maybe I just wasn't paying attention to it before. Just did a 150mile trip and the car drove great so no driveablitly issues. Just don't know if this is worth a trip to the dealer or just forget about it.

Thanks!

rking117 · 10-14-2014, 08:29 AM

knocking noises shoudl be identified. I have seen situations were on new moters the oil pan got banded a little and the rod was hitting the pan ever so slightly ever cycle. You might not think that a big rod could be affected much by a thin sheet of metal but it can not only make a lot of noise but also cause premature failure. You situation is not likely this scenario but any engine noise should be diagnosed.

umkc · 10-14-2014, 11:19 AM

Can you put up a video clip of the noise? i think i have the same noise,but the service adviser said its normal.

smithf80 · 10-14-2014, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umkc

Can you put up a video clip of the noise? i think i have the same noise,but the service advisor said its normal.

I'll try but its very faint.

RoundelM3 · 10-14-2014, 01:25 PM

Is there some reason you cannot take the car in to the dealership to have the techs check this noise? That'd be my first stop, rather than guessing. If it's a 2014, you should still have quite a bit of warranty left.

smithf80 · 10-14-2014, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

Is there some reason you cannot take the car in to the dealership to have the techs check this noise? That'd be my first stop, rather than guessing. If it's a 2014, you should still have quite a bit of warranty left.

Its brand new and I can take it in easily, the only reason I'm asking anyone here if its normal first is because I am 18 and cannot get a loaner so its a pain when I need to bring it in.

RoundelM3 · 10-15-2014, 07:17 AM

Well then, you might have one of your parents take it in. Car ownership 101 - if you have a brand-new car that you think might have a problem, you take it back to the dealership. If you don't do that and the problem gets worse or you try to fix it yourself, you risk having a warranty claim denied and having to pay for any needed repairs yourself. Just because you can't get a loaner is not a reason to avoid taking your car in to get it diagnosed and, if necessary, fixed under warranty. This forum is not a substitute for the service dept. at your dealership.

smithf80 · 10-15-2014, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

Well then, you might have one of your parents take it in. Car ownership 101 - if you have a brand-new car that you think might have a problem, you take it back to the dealership. If you don't do that and the problem gets worse or you try to fix it yourself, you risk having a warranty claim denied and having to pay for any needed repairs yourself. Just because you can't get a loaner is not a reason to avoid taking your car in to get it diagnosed and, if necessary, fixed under warranty. This forum is not a substitute for the service dept. at your dealership.

I fully understand that but I do think it's reasonable to at least ask first.

umkc · 10-15-2014, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithe90

I fully understand that but I do think it's reasonable to at least ask first.

its hard to tell without a recording of the noise

smithf80 · 10-15-2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umkc

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithe90

I fully understand that but I do think it's reasonable to at least ask first.

its hard to tell without a recording of the noise

I know. I'm going to try to get one. It's so so faint and even harder to hear with the hood open because of how loud the engine is

Cyberdemon · 10-15-2014, 02:40 PM

Find a day you have off then and take the car in, engines make a lot of noises normally so you could have valve tap, rod knock of some serious issue, or it could just be some regular noise of gears whirring.

The N20 is a more clackety engine, frankly if the car is driving normally and you're still under warranty I would not worry about it unless it is loud and dramatic.

Nym · 10-17-2014, 10:24 AM

I have the same problem as you but mine happens spontaneously at idle. It's a knocking/thumping noise that comes from the engine (loud enough to the point where cars next to me can hear). The knocking/thumping noise dies down significantly when I turn the AC off.

I'm going to bring it in to the dealer but haven't had the time yet and the noise happens randomly so I would need to replicate it for them to diagnose the problem.

Let us know if you have any updates.

exclusivo · 10-17-2014, 11:26 AM

pls.

Tom1s · 05-02-2016, 10:54 AM

Any update on this?what was making the noise?

smithf80 · 05-02-2016, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom1s

Any update on this?what was making the noise?

It's normal

pjkbrit · 05-02-2016, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf32

It's normal

I have a 2013 328....sounds like a tractor...I HATE this engine....the N in N20 stands for 'nasty'. It's got to be the harshest sounding 4 cylinder unit I have ever had. Just sucking it up for now, but will be trading out of this car as soon as I can for a 6 cylinder....it's not even that great on fuel!

Blubaron79 · 05-02-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf32

It's normal

I have a 2013 328....sounds like a tractor...I HATE this engine....the N in N20 stands for 'nasty'. It's got to be the harshest sounding 4 cylinder unit I have ever had. Just sucking it up for now, but will be trading out of this car as soon as I can for a 6 cylinder....it's not even that great on fuel!

The 2014s and 15s are much better. I had a 2013 loaner than I ran hard for two weeks and still got 28mpg.

xantdieselx · 05-03-2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf32

It's normal

I have a 2013 328....sounds like a tractor...I HATE this engine....the N in N20 stands for 'nasty'. It's got to be the harshest sounding 4 cylinder unit I have ever had. Just sucking it up for now, but will be trading out of this car as soon as I can for a 6 cylinder....it's not even that great on fuel!

I hear you. I couldn't wait for my lease to be up on my 13' 328i - now I've got a 16 M235i and am in love with the buttery smooth inline 6.

eluded · 05-04-2016, 12:51 AM

Who cares? It's a BMW, they have all sorts of problems from minor to major. I just make a list of them so when I go in for my yearly oil change I just hand over the list to the dealer and let them repair the car. It's a lease anyway. Who cares.

kemosabe · 12-03-2022, 02:50 PM

hello smith i have the exact same problem, you have posted on 10-13-2014.. it has been long time... Engine noise at idle thats not ticking... Knocking very low sound at idle same as you described.. Have you find out why is that ? your help would be much appreciated.. Thanks

10-13-2014, 08:33 PM	#1
smithf80 Major General 2804 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	Engine noise at idle thats not ticking... Knocking? Hey Guys, Recently noticed that when my car is at resting idle (lets say you get back from a drive and you put the car in park and leave it on for a minute) there is what sounds like a knock knock knock sound coming from the engine thats definitely not the injector tick. Can hear it in the cabin if radio isn't on. It seemed like I first noticed this after I coded for the sport auto transmission but maybe I just wasn't paying attention to it before. Just did a 150mile trip and the car drove great so no driveablitly issues. Just don't know if this is worth a trip to the dealer or just forget about it. Thanks! __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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10-14-2014, 08:29 AM	#2
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	knocking noises shoudl be identified. I have seen situations were on new moters the oil pan got banded a little and the rod was hitting the pan ever so slightly ever cycle. You might not think that a big rod could be affected much by a thin sheet of metal but it can not only make a lot of noise but also cause premature failure. You situation is not likely this scenario but any engine noise should be diagnosed. __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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10-14-2014, 11:19 AM	#3
umkc Private 16 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2014 335i xdrive M-sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Can you put up a video clip of the noise? i think i have the same noise,but the service adviser said its normal.
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10-14-2014, 01:25 PM	#5
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,986 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Is there some reason you cannot take the car in to the dealership to have the techs check this noise? That'd be my first stop, rather than guessing. If it's a 2014, you should still have quite a bit of warranty left. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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10-15-2014, 07:17 AM	#7
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,986 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Well then, you might have one of your parents take it in. Car ownership 101 - if you have a brand-new car that you think might have a problem, you take it back to the dealership. If you don't do that and the problem gets worse or you try to fix it yourself, you risk having a warranty claim denied and having to pay for any needed repairs yourself. Just because you can't get a loaner is not a reason to avoid taking your car in to get it diagnosed and, if necessary, fixed under warranty. This forum is not a substitute for the service dept. at your dealership. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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10-15-2014, 02:40 PM	#11
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	Find a day you have off then and take the car in, engines make a lot of noises normally so you could have valve tap, rod knock of some serious issue, or it could just be some regular noise of gears whirring. The N20 is a more clackety engine, frankly if the car is driving normally and you're still under warranty I would not worry about it unless it is loud and dramatic. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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10-17-2014, 10:24 AM	#12
Nym New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem as you but mine happens spontaneously at idle. It's a knocking/thumping noise that comes from the engine (loud enough to the point where cars next to me can hear). The knocking/thumping noise dies down significantly when I turn the AC off. I'm going to bring it in to the dealer but haven't had the time yet and the noise happens randomly so I would need to replicate it for them to diagnose the problem. Let us know if you have any updates.
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10-17-2014, 11:26 AM	#13
exclusivo Lieutenant Colonel 126 Rep 1,893 Posts Drives: race car Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: queens, ny iTrader: (11)	pls. __________________
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05-02-2016, 10:54 AM	#14
Tom1s New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Any update on this?what was making the noise?
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05-04-2016, 12:51 AM	#19
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3005 Rep 3,986 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	Who cares? It's a BMW, they have all sorts of problems from minor to major. I just make a list of them so when I go in for my yearly oil change I just hand over the list to the dealer and let them repair the car. It's a lease anyway. Who cares. __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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12-03-2022, 02:50 PM	#20
kemosabe Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw 5.20i Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Tr iTrader: (0)	same problem hello smith i have the exact same problem, you have posted on 10-13-2014.. it has been long time... Engine noise at idle thats not ticking... Knocking very low sound at idle same as you described.. Have you find out why is that ? your help would be much appreciated.. Thanks
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