HVA design flaw on Z4

lawms98 · 03-25-2019, 08:04 PM

Hi people,
I heard that the N52 engines have a design flaw that causes the HVA to tick or tap... Since I have an 03 z4 with the M45B25 engine (correct me if im wrong), does it have the same design flaw that causes the lifters to tick like the n52? My car is out of warranty and after hearing that a cylinder head costs $7000 to replace, I'm kind of worried that it'll eventually happen to me.

GuidoK · 03-25-2019, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawms98

Hi people,
Since I have an 03 z4 with the M45B25 engine (correct me if im wrong),

I correct you: M54B25

The M54 engine has no valve lifter problems like the N52 has.

But you will probably encounter other problems as the car ages

(although nowadays virtually all common problems on the z4 with m54 engines can be solved relatively easy or cheap with alternative fixes invented through the years and aftermarket solutions)

Efthreeoh · 04-03-2019, 09:02 AM

The N52 really doesn't have lifter problems either. Early engines built prior to December 2008 can have lifters that make noise if the engine sits a lot. The noise does not affect engine longevity nor performance. Both of my N52 fall within the production dates of noisy lifters. Neither engine makes noise. One engine has 370,000 miles, the other has 94,000.

Huz-Z · 04-03-2019, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The N52 really doesn't have lifter problems either. Early engines built prior to December 2008 can have lifters that make noise if the engine sits a lot. The noise does not affect engine longevity nor performance. Both of my N52 fall within the production dates of noisy lifters. Neither engine makes noise. One engine has 370,000 miles, the other has 94,000.

I was aware of the N52 lifter noise issue before buying my car (benefit of joining this forum before buying the car). So, I had the local dealer where the car had been serviced review the service records for the vehicle before I bought it. They confirmed that the issue was addressed and corrected.

After almost ten years and lots of cold weather Canadian starts, the lifters have been perfect.

The HACK · 04-03-2019, 11:55 AM

The M54 does not have the same hydraulic valve design as the N52. The ticking common on the N52 is not present on the M54 that I am aware of?

03-25-2019, 08:04 PM	#1
lawms98 Nathan 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 E85 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Torrance iTrader: (0)	HVA design flaw on Z4 Hi people, I heard that the N52 engines have a design flaw that causes the HVA to tick or tap... Since I have an 03 z4 with the M45B25 engine (correct me if im wrong), does it have the same design flaw that causes the lifters to tick like the n52? My car is out of warranty and after hearing that a cylinder head costs $7000 to replace, I'm kind of worried that it'll eventually happen to me.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-03-2019, 09:02 AM	#3
Efthreeoh General 17315 Rep 18,737 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The N52 really doesn't have lifter problems either. Early engines built prior to December 2008 can have lifters that make noise if the engine sits a lot. The noise does not affect engine longevity nor performance. Both of my N52 fall within the production dates of noisy lifters. Neither engine makes noise. One engine has 370,000 miles, the other has 94,000.
	Appreciate 2 aarofloyd10.50 lawms980.00 Quote

04-03-2019, 11:55 AM	#5
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	The M54 does not have the same hydraulic valve design as the N52. The ticking common on the N52 is not present on the M54 that I am aware of? __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
	Appreciate 1 lawms980.00 Quote