New guy from nebraska

[BMH]

Hi, Great web site!, I just purchased my first bmw on 7/27/11 what a great time these last few weeks have been. I purchased a 2004 330ci silver gray metallic I had know idea it was a zhp. In fact the dealer thought the wheels, front bumper and steering wheel were all after market. I traded in an 2001 dodge durango and 6,000 and I am happy I did. (the pictures are coming soon) There are a few things I need to ask if you guys don't mind. since this is my first bmw I don't know the in's and out's yet. like the engine ticking I have done a lot of engine work on old chevy 350's and to me it sounds like lifters. it has plenty of good oil and it happened after driving it kinda hard (freaked me out)! I did notice the oil was very thin after I shut It down any thoughts. also one of my head light rings popped off when I shut the hood, how do you get in to that head light. thanks, BMH

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Welcome to the forum, BMH. Nice score. Always cool to either back into a ZHP or not have the dealer understand what it's selling.

Is the ticking sound after you turn the car off? If so, it's probably the heat shield. It crackles as it cools down. Perfectly normal. Every BMW I've owned has done that.

[Alphatek45]

Welcome!
You came to the right place.
Tick could be vanos?
Have the ability to record it?

[danewilson77]

Welcome. Tick could be vanos. What's the mileage? Oil is thin by design 0W-40.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Audi 0000]

Welcome. Enjoy

[mimalmo]

welcome

[kayger12]

Welcome to the Family.

Can you take a video of the ticking?

Is it easily heard, or do you have to have the hood up to pick it up?

Both of the BMWs that I've owned had a barely perceptible tick when the hood was up.

Think it's just the way the M54 sounds.



Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[static667]

Welcome to the Mafia! Great score on the car.

Like previously stated, the tick could very well be your VANOS. It's a common issue with the E46.

Could you post pics of the headlight rings? I'm not sure what you mean exactly.

[Oli77]

In for pics and welcome to the Mafia.

[M3TA5IN]

Welcome to the site

[johnrando]

Welcome. Looking forward to pics. Since the ticking's been answered, I'll mention the headlights. The sedans have clips that you can just open. The coupes headlights are sealed so the only way to get inside them is to remove the whole unit, and literally bake them in a oven to loosen the glue, then open. There are a lot of DIYs about baking them to install Angel Eyes, so if you decide to do it, you can look for that.

Finally, you a Husker football fan? Them and USC are far and away my two favorite college teams.