2005 R50. ~50% of the time, on a cold morning, I will get this top end noise. If I shut it off, wait 30s and restart the noise will be gone. I am going to replace the tensioner as that is easy but I am concerned that it is a bad lifter. Maybe they video will sound familiar to someone...

Thanks

Rich

 

It sounds like multiple lifters - but try a fresh oil & filter change first - maybe use a 0/30W to help flush out any gunk.

 

it does sound like multiple doesn’t it? Looks like the lifters are built-in to the rocker arms. I wonder how hard they are to swap out…

Rich

 

If you run about half a litre of ATF in the oil for a hundred or so miles(then change the oil) it has some very good detergents in it and can aid in cleaning the the lifters.

 

Check the belt tensioner damper (small black shock/strut). The rubber bushings on the ends dry out over time, break up, fall out and cause metal to metal contact with the mounting bolts. I had what sounded like a timing chain issue on my R53, replaced the damper and that eliminated the sound. If you remove the right front wheel and fender liner, the damper is right in front of you - easy repair (no need to replace the entire tensioner).

 

I've got a very similar lifter tick on startups. I replaced the timing chain tensioner a while ago but no difference in the lifter noise (but it did solve a chain slap on startup). I've since been running a 3k mile oil change interval in hopes of cleaning out the top end a bit more. I also need to change the belt tensioner damper soon because the rubber bushings on mine are completely disintegrated.

 

The lifters are part of the rocker arms and we do see some of them noisy on older cars. I think they get a little gunked up from a lack of oil changes, so doing more oil changes like every 5k seems to have quieter cars.
You can also try the old one quart of ATF in the oil and run it a little to see if you can clean it out.
If you have a car with like 130k or more you likely have timing chain stretch also which can make noise as the tensioner will be fully extended to try and keep it tight and can make noise.

 

If you are having trouble finding the cause of the noise it might be worth pulling your valve cover to inspect the chain guides. I was able to find a small piece of my chain guide broken off when I was changing out my valve cover gasket.

 

I have a tick sometimes on start up too BUT only if my car sits for over 2 days without being started and the weather is below 30'F. It will stop instantly after about 2min of idle only...seems pretty normal for these cars from what I've found.