Hi

Just a quick question, I have an E30 (1989) 318i and the engine constantly makes a regular "ticking/clacking" noise - which is quite apparent.

I'm not very technical myself but I have been advised that this may be the tappits?

Is this normal in the E30, or if not, is it particularly a problem?

Is there any low cost way of solving it?

Thanks

Brett 

Is it normal? Yes

Is there a low cost way of solving it? Not really

Is it particularly a problem? Kind of

There are two noises. There's a tapping when cold. This is a sticky tappet or two. Sometimes changing to a thinner oil and/or giving the engine a good thrashing will help.

The second noise is a general tapping/ticking noise that is obvious when the engine is hot. This is general wear in the cam, followers and tappets. Changing this lot will cure the noise and cost you about £200 in parts. The engine will continue to run for a long time with this noise. Eventually you find it won't pull to the red line, but even then it will still run. Depends if you want a BMW that sounds like an old Sierra!

Or, if you're really unlucky, that slight and easy to ignore "tappet" sound could actually turn out to be a big end about to give up the good fight as happened to me on Christmas day.

The sound had been there for about a week or so, sounded like the noise you get when a spark plug goes off (when not in the engine obviously). Then, I go to move the car up the drive on Christmas day, it starts fine, moves the car fine, and then just before I switch off, it goes from having a lovely straight 6 thrum, to sounding like Massey Fergussons worst attempt at making a cement mixer.

Oh well, I'd been meaning to rebuild the engine at some point anyway, just not yet!

Just to check Brett, this is the injected M40 lump?

I would add to the comments that there jcan be a 'ticking' that sounds like noisy tappets that can be attributed to worn/clogged injectors. If they are worn or clogged the ball bearing/pin inside can make this 'ticking' noise as well, this can usually be decided using a bottle of injector cleaner/lubricator, if the noise subsides after using it then the injectors could have been dirty and if it then returns it could be that they're on their way out. Approx £30 a whip.

With BMW hydraulic tappets, I have heard that running an oil flush for about 20 miles with the engine on very low load and not above 2500rpm, empty and refill with a synthetic 5w40 can help as the thinner oil can get to them quicker but remember that a flush lessens the lubrication of the oil so be very careful. I think that is what Neil is describing... Does the noise lessen or disappear once the car has warmed up? If so, as Neil says I would suspect the hydraulic tappets. Pretty intensive job to replace. If it remains once hot then again what Neil says it could be down to worn gear and replacement is the only option to eradicate.

Hope it's not a more serious bottom end problem.

Rob

Yes it is injection. Thanks for your advice, I will keep an eye out on what conditions it comes up on most. I'm having the car serviced and engine tuned tomorrow so I'll see if the garage pick up on anything.

Thanks.

Brett

I agree with Madrab in theory. But in practice, having lived with an M40 for a number of years, hoping that a bottle of injector cleaner will fix it is wishful thinking!

The noises on an M40 are classic. It's as predictable as a Ford Pinto with a knackered cam, hence my reference to the Sierra earlier!

The good newsa is that your patience is likely to give up before the engine suffers from terminal failure.

The thing that helped my M40 more than anything else was to drive from Northumberland to Cognac in France at 90mph and then back again in 72 hours. Been much quieter since, and the brandy was lovely!

I must add that I did not think that a bottle of injector cleaner would fix it all, more for fault diagnosis. Apols if it sounded that way.

If a bottle of injector cleaner makes a difference to the 'ticking' noise then the worn cam/followers idea may not be the problem. I would prefer to rule out any other options that were a cheap check before having to spend £200+ for a head component change IMO? Would be a shame if the head was recon'd and then found that the noise was still there? I would also say that I would check lifters, cam and followers for gap tolerances, physical marking or wear on the valve train that would point to an excessively worn cam/lifters before condeming, your mechanic should be able to check?

My pal has an 18 tourer and the injector cleaner/lubricator reduced his 'ticking' noise substantially, head gear was fine. Of course I would definately not rule out the worn cam/followers point though as all BM's are known for that. What kind of mileage is on the engine? Regular services?

Rob

Yes, Rob, what you say is quite right. I was having a bad day yesterday.

Sorry for any offence.

No worries Neil,

Not trying to be abrasive either.