[Jvac]

I know our cars make all sorts of noises before, during, and after use, but I am trying to figure out which are normal and which may point to problems before my warranty expires. This is a 2015 n55 engine.
I have searched here but have not found anything definitive on the tapping noise coming from the lower driver's side of my engine. I notice it when I open a door or the trunk to retrieve something and the car is off. Is this a fuel pump priming, or something I should be worried about? It doesn't happen every time, but it's fairly often. A low volume, repeated tapping sound. Ok, maybe woodpecker isn't quite the right description. A sleepy woodpecker who is going about half speed maybe.
I've tried a video but it doesn't really capture the sound well enough to be too helpful. Anyone? The car runs great and has no issues or Drivetrain mods.

[thejeremyman9]

Is it right after driving the car hard and turning it off? Are you sure its not just heat "ticking"?

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Is it right after driving the car hard and turning it off? Are you sure its not just heat "ticking"?

Hi, no this is not the cool down/ contracting of metal parts after a drive.
The only time I'll hear this noise is before I drive, or if I wake the car by opening the trunk or door to grab something.
One additional observation - the pace of the tapping eventually slows and then stops altogether. Usually takes only a minute or so, which is why I suspect it is a priming, but what do I know?

[khj24]

Originally Posted by Jvac

Hi, no this is not the cool down/ contracting of metal parts after a drive.
The only time I'll hear this noise is before I drive, or if I wake the car by opening the trunk or door to grab something.
One additional observation - the pace of the tapping eventually slows and then stops altogether. Usually takes only a minute or so, which is why I suspect it is a priming, but what do I know?

Fuel pump is more a whirring noise for me and only lasts maybe 2-5 secs

[ChrisFulton]

These kind of things will drive you nuts.
My Husqvarna motorcycle makes a sound like a dying donkey when I turn it off.
Never have figured it out but it has run flawlessly for 7k miles.

[Pray for Mojo]

Valvetronic motor is failing.

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

Valvetronic motor is failing.

I don't think so, I saw that thread already and got a bit nervous, but the sound I hear is a slower tempo (about half as fast as that one) and nowhere near as loud. My car only has like 25k miles, so I'd be surprised if the valvetronic is giving up already.

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by khj24

Fuel pump is more a whirring noise for me and only lasts maybe 2-5 secs

I thought so. The times I will hear this noise are the times that I don't hear the whirring when I wake up the car. So my concern is that the fuel pump or associated sensors and equipment are at fault. Dealer wants 180 to diagnose the problem if no warranty item is found during the inspection. Just trying not to waste money

[arhoads335i]

valvetronic motor. if you press the unlock button sometimes it will do it.

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by arhoads335i

valvetronic motor. if you press the unlock button sometimes it will do it.

Are you saying it's normal valvetronic behavior, or a sign of a problem?

[ctt300]

Originally Posted by Jvac

Are you saying it's normal valvetronic behavior, or a sign of a problem?

This thread is LOL , but I think the sound you are describing is completely normal and what all of us get when opening a door, hood, etc..

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by ctt300

This thread is LOL , but I think the sound you are describing is completely normal and what all of us get when opening a door, hood, etc..

I know, it's taken me a while to get used to all the noises this car makes compared to others I've owned. And then you see threads like the valvetronic and start to wonder if you have that problem too. The n55 is a fantastic engine but it also seems fantastically overcomplicated.