2003 BMW 330ci e46 engine ticking noise

Have an 03 e46 330ci with manual transmission. This tick has come and gone the past few weeks, sometimes it's during coldstarts and carries throughout driving, sometimes it goes away after idle settles. The car will sometimes misfire but most of the time will not. I've tightened spark plugs and it's gone away after a while. But has always come back. Replaced ignition could and spark plugs along with that. Did an oil change with 5-30 and added Lucas oil additive. I have no idea what the issue could be. It seems when I try and diagnose the issue further the ticking goes away.

[gamingfever]

your lifters are ticking. hydraulic lifters. if i were you i would imediately change the oil if it's not to late. bad oil causes the lifter to stick and not work properly. use only original castrol LL-04 5w40 or 5w30 if the cas has less then 70.000 miles. your car is missfiring because one of the lifter is stuck. if you have any questions reply here.

[abiduz-zaman]

You need to top up your oil buddy, mine does this when the oil is low

[remaincce]

Loose sparkplug bro I had the exact same sound

[DailyDrive_]

I’m little late but, one of the spark plug coils is bad so if you push hard on top of each one to test which one is bad you can stop the ticking and once you find the bad coil just change it and you should be good. I just found the problem today. Thank me later…..

[Alberto.en.Tenerife]

Ingnition coil or injector stuck! Could be fuel pump debit also

[_Philip_.]

Your dash is telling you anything you need to know

[weega]

Bro my 2005 325i makes this exact sound from the bottom of my car when I’m driving, and I need a new oil gasket because I have an oil leak is that the reason why it makes that noise ?

[pdxautopaint]

Yo where do I get that cold air intake

[rawritssami]

What did it end up being? I have 2005 330xi e46 and mines making the same noise. Stops and happens again. I just did oil/ filter yesterday literally.

[Minceontoast]

Everyone in the comments are saying its something else

[jasserjalal]

If you solve this problem please tell me how 💔

[callmecustom]

Did you get to the bottom of this what was the fix?

[atze]

What was the problem please cann you tell me I really appreciate it

[supadupa]

There is also a procedure to pump up the lifters, I believe you have to hold the revs at 2500rpm for some time. A quick search online should find it.

I had a similar problem and was almost certain that it was the top end, mine turned out to be a spun big end bearing on cyl 6. The only way I found out for certain was by dripping the sumpand physically checking. Even with a stethoscope it was difficult to pinpoint.

Oops, just seen hire long ago this was. Did you resolve the issue?

[renefrias]

Sounds like you’re low on blinker fluid. And maybe add some elbow grease for good measure

[GokuTheHusky]

My car seems to do this once it's at operating temps lok

[molantoarathebe]

Mine also same sound. I'm driving 330i e46 2004. please any help, or how did you solve yours

[martin]

Hi man Do you have any solution yet ? I have exacly same noise. i bought new engine, when i looked at it First IT was all ok but after oil change it started ticking exacly likes yours

[flsweazyy]

u still own this car and got the ticking noise?