What does a healthy S55 engine sound like?

[oldaudi]

Afternoon,
I've had my M4 F82 for about 5 weeks and I'm certain its now making different noises from those I heard 5 weeks ago.
Can anyone point me to a video or forum that demonstrates a healthy S55 engine?

I swear I've got some some sort of ticker noise, like I had on my N52 and I can also hear a fan running but I cant see any fan behind the radiator (I assume there is one there but its all covered in parts and plastics) . It does that from cold and from a warm restart. When I switch off ignition the fan noise stops immediately. PCV valve?

In addition I've noticed that the engine bay never really gets hot. I can do a motorway commute for 40 miles and sit in traffic for ages, the temp gauge sits between 70 and 120C but I can touch every part of the engine. The , what I'm assuming is the intercooler , is freezing cold and I can touch all other parts of the engine! I could boil an egg on all my other BMWs (various engines) after that type of journey!

Is this normal!?

[cerb4.5lee]

It sounds normal to me. Mine makes quite a few funny noises when it is idling. Plus the fans run after I've turned the engine off whether the engine is cold or hot occasionally too.

[WilsonWilson]

My guess is it's normal too. The injectors are noisy and oil temp gauge sits at about 11o'clock when up to temp (110ish), unless you use Sport+ which opens up additional cooling so avoid using it unless you're pressing on for extended periods or on track.

Never touched the charge cooler at operating temp but it's job is to remove heat before the intake so it shouldn't be that hot. Are you sure the noise is a fan? The fan will run to cool the turbos off after shut down if the ecu thinks it's necessary and the cabin is fed by a electric water pump which is separate from the mechanical water pump for the engine.

Hope that reassures you rather than giving you more worries!

[oldaudi]

Thank you. The car certainly makes lots of noises regardless of temperature. I have been driving around in Sport Plus a lot which may be responsible for the additional noises and creaks.

Now that the novelty has worn off, Ill move to efficient mode and see what happens. I'm just really nervous of every noise but that's part of owning this type of car I guess.

[cerb4.5lee]

I personally wouldn't bother with efficient mode, and just use sport instead.

I have the M1 button set up to(my more laid back settings)...

Throttle...sport.
Steering...sport.
Suspension...comfort.
Gearbox...the slowest setting(1).
Traction...on.

I have the M2 button set up to(my more up and at it settings)...

Throttle...sport plus.
Steering...sport plus.
Suspension...sport.
Gearbox...the fastest setting(3).
Traction...MDM.

I do like how you can set the buttons up to your personal tastes.

[cerb4.5lee]

oldaudi said:

I'm just really nervous of every noise but that's part of owning this type of car I guess.

The M4 is an absolute doddle to own in that regard I think, and you want to try owning a TVR instead!

A TVR will genuinely make you a nervous wreck.

[Notsofastfrank]

My M4 has just had to have the camshaft realigned, a not unknown problem. I always thought the engine was noisy on cold start up, but like you didn’t have one to compare it too. I am unable to upload the before and after videos as the files are too big. If you pm me your mobile number I am happy to WhatsApp them to you.

Lee - I had a 500 Chimaera for 3 years and it never missed a beat or needed anything other than routine maintenance, which is better than any of the 5 BMWs I’ve owned, so I have to disagree!

[cerb4.5lee]

Notsofastfrank said:

Lee - I had a 500 Chimaera for 3 years and it never missed a beat or needed anything other than routine maintenance, which is better than any of the 5 BMWs I’ve owned, so I have to disagree!

Yes and I can only go on my experience with the Cerbera really. The Cerb is well known for being a pain in the backside reliability wise in fairness. Plus now with hindsight...I wish that I had gone with the Chimaera instead of the Cerbera as my first TVR for sure.

It was sitting in a Chimaera years ago at the motorshow that fueled my want for a TVR one day for definite.

[Max Maxasson]

cerb4.5lee said:

I personally wouldn't bother with efficient mode, and just use sport instead.

I have the M1 button set up to(my more laid back settings)...

Throttle...sport.
Steering...sport.
Suspension...comfort.
Gearbox...the slowest setting(1).
Traction...on.

I have the M2 button set up to(my more up and at it settings)...

Throttle...sport plus.
Steering...sport plus.
Suspension...sport.
Gearbox...the fastest setting(3).
Traction...MDM.

I would suggest using only one setting for steering...there is a degree of muscle memory involved in steering feel, which will be clouded by changing the setting...or at least thats what I found.

[cerb4.5lee]

Max Maxasson said:

I would suggest using only one setting for steering...there is a degree of muscle memory involved in steering feel, which will be clouded by changing the setting...or at least thats what I found.

I've just come to terms with the fact that the steering is crap in any of the settings to be fair!

I definitely get what you're saying though, and I hadn't thought of it like that.

[Hungrymc]

oldaudi said:

Afternoon,
I've had my M4 F82 for about 5 weeks and I'm certain its now making different noises from those I heard 5 weeks ago.
Can anyone point me to a video or forum that demonstrates a healthy S55 engine?

I swear I've got some some sort of ticker noise, like I had on my N52 and I can also hear a fan running but I cant see any fan behind the radiator (I assume there is one there but its all covered in parts and plastics) . It does that from cold and from a warm restart. When I switch off ignition the fan noise stops immediately. PCV valve?

In addition I've noticed that the engine bay never really gets hot. I can do a motorway commute for 40 miles and sit in traffic for ages, the temp gauge sits between 70 and 120C but I can touch every part of the engine. The , what I'm assuming is the intercooler , is freezing cold and I can touch all other parts of the engine! I could boil an egg on all my other BMWs (various engines) after that type of journey!

Is this normal!?

If the noise is slight and you're not sure, I'd guess you're fine.

If its "very tappety" it may be the cam shaft alignment issue which these can suffer from. I'm not 100% sure but I think its exhaust cam and it has to be refitted / re-positioned correctly as it can drift a little.