My beautiful e34 540/6 has developed a prominent ticking noise at idle. It decreases after the car runs for a bit and it is practically not there after an oil change. However, after a 300 mile drive yesterday (quick road trip) the ticking was very bad. It seems to be concentrated on the right side of the block and is more noticeable after a long run on the highway. I know it is related to the condition of the oil, but I just changed it two months ago and have only driven 2500 miles. What can I do to reduce this problem? Is there any additives or something. I know my car is leaking and burning a bit of oil so I keep a close eye on the level. WHAT VISCOSITY AND BRAND OF OIL DO OTHER 540 OWNERS RECOMEND??? THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Is the ticking continuous throught the RPM range or does it only come on when you give it some throttle and then goes away? Also does it vary with RPM's or is it pretty much a constant tempo?

Mine 'ticked' when I first got it (and I used it for bargaining along with the trans issue). I already knew what the ticking was though, loose spark plug. Take your coil cover off and check, only takes a couple minutes, then go from there.

It might not be the problem, or might be a part of it, at any rate, won't hurt to check.

Oh, I use Castro 10-40 High Mileage in mine, with a bottle of STP (old habit, use it in EVERYTHING). Being my car has 134K on it, I'm not running synthetic as in my experience, it'll leak when it won't on normal oil. I also use Mann filters, I order a bunch of them at a time...

thanks....the ticking does move with RPMS, however it reduces at very high RPMS and when the car starts moving. Any other advice on oil?

It has hydraulically adjusting valves which are supposedly maintenance free, i've never heard of a problem with this but if there is a problem it could cause ticking sound. I guess if it runs off hydraulic pressure that would be the engine oil so check your oil level, is your oil level sensor giving off an obc error message?

I've read m60s are known for having loose oil pump bolts, or something like that. That is something to check into.

It sounds like you may have sludge in your engine. Depending on how severe the sludge is determines the risk. If you plan on keeping the car you will need to use a motor cleaner. I suggest Lubro Molly motor cleaner.

Thanks for the advice. What is sludge? Where can I get this motor cleaner? Is it just a pour in kind of thing? Any other advice on OIL VISCOSITY/BRAND? How often do other M60 owners CHANGE OIL? please help....my car is suffering.

No worries man, when my car is a little low on oil it will start ticking. Top off your oil and see if she quiets down. I use straight 50 weight Valvoline racing in my car, and it loves it. My car has over 200k on it too! Runs like a new car! I change the oil every 2500-3500.

Yes, make sure your oil level is good, very easy process. If it stops ticking then you're probably good. An easy way to check for sludge is to look down the oil filler cap, it should be nice and shiny and clean. If not your oil change interval is too long. It's not definitive but its a start in the right direction.

omg guys...... anyone here a BITOGer????

bobistheoilguy.com

Syn oil is good oil... run Auto-rx, with swell seal, then run syn. you can then rule out carbon depsoits and sludge with that.