Hey all. My 2002 L322 just passed its Dutch MOT with just a headlights adjustment being needed (so happy after all the work I put into it). The mechanic did note that there is a too loud ticking coming from the top LH side (seen from within the car) of the engine. I did my timing chains etc two weeks ago and this noise only started appearing this week.

I’m planning on pulling to the valve cover to have a look, but does anyone already have an idea about what this noise is? VANOS? I’ve posted a short video to YouTube.

https://youtube.com/shorts/7ftIJrOtJ3E?si=Kzd9h6jAet4Oo_DA 2002 L322 Vogue 4.4L V8 (BMW petrol) in Java Black

So I pulled the valve cover and don’t see or feel anything that is obviously loose. Also checked the chain tension and am wondering if this is not too loose?

https://youtube.com/shorts/NsyVwDSkcPE?si=Yahx89WUgsbolX0W 2002 L322 Vogue 4.4L V8 (BMW petrol) in Java Black

Vanos?

Hydraulic lifters ?

Thanks for the input, those are definitely two to consider.

So after pulling the valve covers and not seeing anything obviously untoward I removed the serpentine belt, no change in the noise. At least that’s ruled out. After a suggestion from someone on a BMW forum I went ahead and checked spark plugs. Re-tightened all of them to spec. Did not solve the issue.

Did notice something odd: after starting revs are around 1100rpm as usual during initial warm up. Ticking was heard. When revs dropped to around 700 the ticking disappeared. I managed to capture this on video by accident:
https://youtube.com/shorts/AEXkn5XLhQs

When my neighbor revved the engine for me to max 2000 rpm the noise stayed gone. However, after turning off the engine to reinstall viscous fan the next start saw the ticking come back, also when idling around 700rpm. During a test drive with my window open it seemed like the ticking was there up to a speed of around 60kph (around 38mpj) after which it seemed to drop off like in the video. I say seemed because it was hard to tell while driving.

I ordered a mechanic’s stethoscope to help me isolate where the noise is coming from exactly, but am going to contact my Land Rover specialist as well.

[edit] fixed YouTube link 2002 L322 Vogue 4.4L V8 (BMW petrol) in Java Black

Last edited by Bas1985 on 9th Oct 2023 6:18pm. Edited 1 time in total

may be something simple like the fan, hitting the shroud or loose shroud etc.

Yeah, I'm actually hoping it's something as simple as that, although it won't be the viscous fan (fixed the YouTube link in my previous post, that video is without the viscous fan installed).

Anyway, my serpentine belt also keeps squealing on certain cold starts, even after my reinstall of this weekend. The belt is new but can't say I fully trust the tensioner, gonna throw a new one on it this weekend, see if I can at least solve that. Who knows, maybe the tensioner is vibrating against something and replacing it works (wishful thinking I know... ). Bit annoying that I'm stumped about this if you look at all the work I put into it myself which passed the MOT without issues! 2002 L322 Vogue 4.4L V8 (BMW petrol) in Java Black