Hi,I've got a 2003 bmw 318 done 75k and noticed a dull knocking coming from under the rocker cover near the cams,its only when the engines warm and can't hear from in the car,only noticed it when checking my oil, its not very loud but just wondered if anyone else has or has heard of this problem?I'm giving it a flush and changing the oil filter to see if that helps!

Is it like a mild "thud" and does it happen at each engine turn or more frequent?

Id say its every engine turn and it is quite mild,can only just hear it with the bonnet down?

One way to describe it is a bit like knocking on a wooden door!

has anyone else ever come across this?ive taken it to a garage and they said there is a common fault on the 4cylinder engines where the setup of the timing chain ect needs rebuilding to sort the problem and was expensive,funny thing is he never even came out the garage to have a listen!then another garage who did have a listen has never heard of this "common problem",any feed back would be greatly appreciated:)

Is your aircon working? If not it could be the pump....

Yeh my aircon works ok mate,I'm having an oil change done today so il see if that makes any difference! Definately seems to be coming from under the cam cover

Had my flush and oil and filter change but the knocks still there,I've been told its just wear on the cams and not to worry about it,hope they are right!