BMW E36 Forum

Hi,

I bought a perfectly running, one owner, immaculate and low k's (120,000kms) 318i until I changed the oil...

I changed the thick black oil and filter to a fresh 15/40 Valvoline Synthetic(as per specs), which seemed much thinner (just my observation).

I now have a VERY loud, mechanical, non-lubed tick from ONE of the lifters.

It stays like this from cold, even when at running temperature. After 15mins of driving, it goes - but then intermittently comes back just as loud?

Today I started it and it was quiet, until I got to the top of the street and there it was again! (It's so loud that people look around).

So, I bought some cheap "lifter-noise-stopper-crappy-whatsit" and after 500K's, no change. So I went back and bought the stuff that was 3 x the price - no different

I don't want to drop the oil, try some more, try some more... I don't want to replace the lifter really either.

It can work out very expensive this "guessing the oil viscosity" game and I know there are lots of opinions on it too!

My thoughts...

How can it be the lifter if it was fine before the oil? I don't believe in coincidences.

IS the oil wrong?

Fast "revving" or holding revs from cold doesn't stop it. It DOES stop it once the engine is warm though?

I read in a forum that to drain the oil properly, I should leave it 30 mins, which I did (never have before) and this I what I think caused it personally, but how to fix?

ANY help on this would be very much appreciated!

Cheers,

Pommy

I would say change the oil. I have a 94 318i convert. And i use 5w-30 castrol gtx. It makes a ticking sound but nowhere near as loud ad u are saying. Could be timing to actually but very rare. I also have 98 328i castrol high mileage 5w-30. Works great. So give the oil a shot and see.

Tbh it sounds like an oil pick up is partially blocked. Change the oil as Praz said but try WYNNS engine flush. You'll stunned at the amount of crap that'll come out. Although you will need to change your filter again before you put the new oil back in.