BMW Repair: Clicking noise from the engine, synthetic motor oil, hydraulic lifter

Question
Evan,

I have a 2000 528i, when the engine is turned on, I can hear a clicking noise in addition to the purr of the engine. When I open the bonnet, I can hear that the sound is coming from the engine.

The sound is more pronounced in the mornings when I first start the car & either reduces or disappears when I run the car for a few km.

Pl. help with your insights,

Thanks,

Janak.

Answer
Janak, Noises that I can't hear are hard to tell you exactly what it is. It sounds like you have a hydraulic lifter that is bleeding down oil in the lifter body (faulty). Try using some commercial engine flush product in the oil and drive the car for a while. Then replace oil and filter with BMW filter kit and 5w-30 full synthetic motor oil and see if that takes care of it. If not then you should replace the lifter if the noise bothers you. This situation will not hurt the motor. An is a little pricey to fix as it involves indepth cylinder head disassembly.
-Evan