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Re: I thought about it some more...

thanks for the info, i guess time to go back to the dealer :(.

I thought about it some more...

...and did some more research.

I also noticed you said you have a 2006, which should have the newer N52 engine... Initially I thought it was the older M54.

Anyway, there is a service bulletin for the N52 regarding the cam followers making noise. The initial procedure is the bleeding of the cam followers, but if that doesn't solve the problem (most time it doesn't), BMW will replace the head with a new one with improved design. It appears they add another check valve to avoid the oil from draining back to sump when the car sits for a while...

Sorry for the confusion I made with my previous post...
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1998 Z3 1.9 (my baby)
2003 Z4 2.5i (my babe's baby)

Could be the issue you're mentioning...

...I read it somewhere. As some people still get the noise after replacing the head with the "improved" one, to me it means driving style has something to do with it...

Not to be repetitive, but 9K in 2 years for me is not driving the car enough: every time you pick up the car the head and the lifters are dry... It takes some time for oil to get in there and purge the air.
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1998 Z3 1.9 (my baby)
2003 Z4 2.5i (my babe's baby)

Re: ticking noise

well to be more detailed, the car is actually driven every day,except on weekends. once the weather turns, we take it out on longer drives. the ticking noise does go away and it does not occur every time you start it up. and sometimes it can last as long as 15 min. until it goes away. i read about this problem and as other members have pointed out the oil is bleeding down out of the lifters.
the trickle charger was purchased from bmw a year ago and used at least 2-3 times a week, the issues with this car are specific to it. needless to say i am a BMW fanatic (the best car ever built just ask me) i bought my first one in 1979 a 2002ti. i have had almost every model since,and at the present this one an x5, 325i and 318ti, none of these cars need to be plugged in or have ticking sounds and the 325i has 230.000 miles on it. therefor the frustration.

A couple of comments about all that is said...m

A few people have used the term trickle charger. DO NOT use one. Instead, use a battery tender. They plug into your coffin nail lighter and monitor the battery and only charge it when it drains to a certain level. This is a healthier way to maintain the battery. I have a BMW tender that I paid about 80 bucks for at the dealer and one that I got from Sears for 20 dollars. They both work great.

Regarding the noise: some folks who store their cars, start them once a week and let them idle for 5 to 10 minutes, which helps prevent all of the things that Luca mentioned. When I first had this happen to my Z, the dealership told me that it was better to drive the car than to idle it. They recommended that I take it easy during the drive and not to jump on it. So I did just that and the noise went away. Now, I try to drive my stored cars at least once a week. The side benefit to the drive is that it takes my mind off the fact that I have what amounts to a wad of cash sitting in my garage and I bought it for a reason-to drive and drive fast.

Scott Pettit
www.zfest.com

Since you have 9K miles...

both problems are likely related to the fact you don't drive the car often enough...

The tricker charger will solve you battery issue: the car uses power even when off and looses some power when not charged/discharged. Moreover, you probably take short trips that don't let the battery recharge after powering the starter.

The thicking noise is either the VANOS as Scott said or the cam followers: both use oil pressure. Used oil (such as the one you have in the engine) doesn't like to sit there (chemical brakedown and other nasty stuff); the o-rings on the VANOS and cam followers don't like it either (they dry and get hard)... Moreover your car probably sit still for soooooooo long that despite the check valves to keep trapped in the upper portion of the engine, all the oil drains back to the pan (that's why right after getting an oil change the engine is noise for a little longer than usual)...

Bottom line, enjoy the car more often and everything will be ok...
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1998 Z3 1.9 (my baby)
2003 Z4 2.5i (my babe's baby)

Got 8 years outta my OEM battery so I....more

highly recommend that you have them change it under warranty.

Scott Pettit

The ticking noise may be your...more

VANOS which stick after sitting for a few days. Does the sound (like a valve tapping) go away after driving for a short while? My daughters 2007 does and so does my Z8 which is only driven about once a month.

As far as the battery goes, can you describe the problem a bit more?

Scott Pettit
2000 Z3
2003 Z8

President
ZSCCA

Re: ticking noise

I concur on the battery issue...may be that there is one cell beginning to go. You should not have to Batt Tender it unless its stored for a length of time. Some systems inside just slowly drain the battery if left sitting...many cars have same issue now with computers running things. A little story: my trusted dealer in North Illinois, said they had many customers who were getting BMW's and as we, were not driving in winter etc...[a luxury I know but thats the way it is with this Z4 now] and this dealer was giving away free a BMW battery tender to these customers, so that they would not HAVE a problem come spring etc. Some of those customers he said, actually swore at him that they would not fool with the tender etc...what kind of car was that they were buying to store it etc and use this "thing" and rejected the offer. He said, 'that's the north shore for you"...I suspect in your case, if you are driving it regularly enough to charge it etc, and it looses power, you may have a bad battery. You should not have to trickle it each night. Bests on this...have them check the cells and strength. Its covered.

Re: ticking noise

You must have a bad battery.(or it isn't getting a good charge) I have an '03 and it starts every time. I am amazed that the battery is still going strong after six and a half years.<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/mikmor/Z4thumb.jpg">

ticking noise

just wanted to know if anyone else has this loud ticking noise, usually after a cold startup and sometimes lasts for several miles. my z4 is a 06 with only 9000 miles, i took it to the dealer any was informed they were unable to duplicate. it sure is embarrassing to pull up to the drive up window in my 50k vehicle that sounds like a 88 ford thunderbird. the only other issue, since i'm venting is that after i had problems with the car not starting the dealer sold me a trickle charger that i have to keep plugged in every night.(i didn't realize i had bought an electric car that uses gasoline. other than that it is one fantastic ride.