Car engine sounds like a diesel engine.

Car engine sounds like a diesel engine.

I’m searched around, got some idea’s, asked for updates on the original threads with no response, so hate to start a new thread, but here we go.

Car runs great, but if your standing outside you hear a pa pa pa pa pa pa or tah tah tah tah tah, however you want to say that…lol I’m pretty sure I’ve located the issue, but sounds like it might be coming from the exhaust manifold gasket below the valve cover gasket by the o2 sensors. I had a mech take a quick peak, thought it either had a hole in the exhaust off the engine or bad gasket, but was not 100% sure. He did say it was a big job in hrs, parts should not be to much. I notice it most when car is in drive, if I put the car in natural, it goes away some. I can hear the noise inside the car but not as bad. BMW’s are relatively quiet in the cabin anyway. This is not a huge issue, just starting to be a little annoying.

Has anyone had this issue or might know what this issue is? I’ve searched around, heard some talk about engine oil, but that was changed about 7,000 miles ago, computer states still have about 7,000 left. I’ve never gone the full 15k before, but that should not be the issue but not sure. I have used the past few changes Mobil 1 …hmm is it 0-40? I forget what the site says…maybe I should try putting what bmw suggests…Castrol. Idk. Others mentioned the gasket for the manifold? I tried searching for diy threads on the manifold gasket repair, didn’t find one, not sure if this is a diy or not. Or maybe I’m not calling it the correct thing.

Any suggestions?

M1 0w40, not m1 0/5/10w30.

Could be a variety of things. Failing waterpump/tensioner bearings can make that sound, un-oiled camshafts, exhaust heatshield etc

yea man, this could be a number of things. I say you start with the cheapest and maintenance oriented first, like an oil change. On a side note though, one of my friends jeeps had this sound and it turned out to be a couple of small holes in his exhaust manifold

m1 oil makes your car sound like a tractor. If you think back carefully, you will realise the car didn't sound like that before you started using m1. Either BMW or Castrol oil should fix it.

I'll do the simple fix first and go back to OEM OIL, I'm due for an oil change soon anyway. See what happens. WP/PSP/BELTS/TENSIONORS have all been replaced.

You have an exhaust leak >> thats the only thing that'll make it sound like this

that's what I was thinking....like a hole in the manafold...can you fix those or do you have to replace them?

^I highly bought you have a HOLE in the manifold>> they are cast iron, so it can only break , there cant be a hole in it. Its the gasket that can go very easily.
>> replace the exhaust manifold gaskets (all of them) and then report back

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

You have an exhaust leak >> thats the only thing that'll make it sound like this

Like the DISA valve for example. Mine souded the like a diesel when the DISA valve was failing

The ticking, clacking diesel noise is actually from inside the engine. The intake manifold is an opening to the engine internals and because of that noises get passed out by the manifold. The only time I experienced the tractor noise was when I topped up the oil with a single litre of m1 0w40. It wasn't much later did I realise it was the oil that was responsible. Many months later, and a couple of Catsrol top ups later, I decided to track down the tractor noise I noted several months back and fix it. When I opened the hood, to my amazement, there was no tractor noise to fixed. The engine just purred as a BMW should. So my suggestion for any BMW tractor owners out there is to get rid of m1 ASAP. But do be patient, however. Because it will take several moths for any m1 residual to burn itself out of the engine.

i notice that after i track my car and the temp goes up the engine is quieter but is sounds a bit like a diesel

so does my friends audi

ok...so either the oil or the gaskets...I'll keep you posted!

its your exhaust dude. dont be stupid enough to believe oil would make your vehicle sound like a diesel. Goingnuts is an idiot.

Low on oil will only cause a tapping noise from the lifters, but a diesel sound is probably an exhaust leak

That's what I think...still looking into it...