Why me

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 7:42 pm

Just my luck on my way back from dopping the kids off i was coming up the gear and at about 4000rpm in 3rd something happened.Got the car home running like a bag of nails.Took the rocker cover off and found this.
So whats my options now,recon head,secondhand head or source a half decent engine?
Feel like torching it.(at the moment)

Just spend £300 getting it through it mot on friday.

Any idea what the costs involved will be to put this right?


Image

Image
Image
Chase007
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 755
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Wraped up in the garage for the winter!

Mon May 12, 2008 7:48 pm

That is a fu*ker :evil:
THERE IS NO RIGHT SIDE TO WAR! ONLY THE SIDE THAT IS LEFT!
e301988325i
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3701
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Taunton, Somerset

Mon May 12, 2008 7:49 pm

That's unlucky my friend. Is the valve seized? Have you tried pushing it down? Will take quite a bit of force but one hand should usually move it.
I said:

Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?

e30topless said:

lock the wife in there
Taylor325i
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1120
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. Brilliant Red Tech II 325i.

Mon May 12, 2008 7:52 pm

It's only a broken rocker so don't think it's terminal. As long as there hasn't been any valve to cylinder contact. Heard of people that have replaced them with new ones and head is ok. I'd get it checked out by someone who knows to make sure all is ok before buying new rockers.



Taylor.
Image
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 8:49 pm

e301988325i wrote:That's unlucky my friend. Is the valve seized? Have you tried pushing it down? Will take quite a bit of force but one hand should usually move it.
Never tried it.Is it worth removing the cover again to check?
Image
Alex
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 22666
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Mon May 12, 2008 8:56 pm

my step dad had the same thing happen in his 325i when we were doing 120mph :eek: the actuall part costs a few bob but takes a while to change luckly we know a good mechanic who fixed it for the price of a few pints :D
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 9:05 pm

Since i have owned it the tappets have always been noisy so another head my be the better option.
Image
e301988325i
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3701
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Taunton, Somerset

Mon May 12, 2008 9:06 pm

shedrool83 wrote:
e301988325i wrote:That's unlucky my friend. Is the valve seized? Have you tried pushing it down? Will take quite a bit of force but one hand should usually move it.
Never tried it.Is it worth removing the cover again to check?
Yes, if the valve is seized then the head's coming off at the minimum, if it's not seized then it's just the rocker broken with age or whatever etc, the rockers are relatively cheap but fitting is probably a couple of hours for someone with the right tools. All the best Alex
I said:

Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?

e30topless said:

lock the wife in there
Alex
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 22666
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Mon May 12, 2008 9:07 pm

shedrool83 wrote:Since i have owned it the tappets have always been noisy so another head my be the better option.
adjust the tappets?????? that what we did whilst we replaced the tappet
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 9:10 pm

Alex wrote:
shedrool83 wrote:Since i have owned it the tappets have always been noisy so another head my be the better option.
adjust the tappets?????? that what we did whilst we replaced the tappet
Tappets have been adjusted only made a slight difference.
Image
kipper
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 162
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: where ever i'm parked

Mon May 12, 2008 10:09 pm

thats sucks man...hope you dont blame my part lol..."wiz na me" lol... :( ..bumper though,, i dont have internal engine parts im afraid but if you need help with anything else just ask pal
Image

TIME-TIDE AND KIPPER WAITS FOR NO MAN!!!
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 10:16 pm

Na your parts on the cab kipper this happened to the 4 door.
have you found a bumper yet?
Image
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Mon May 12, 2008 10:50 pm

Jake..same thing happened to me couple years back..cost me £250 to get all the rocker arms replaced it is possibe to get a donor set from the scrappy and fit them yourself..its a pain of a job but do-able
:cool:
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Tue May 13, 2008 6:52 am

gra325i wrote:Jake..same thing happened to me couple years back..cost me £250 to get all the rocker arms replaced it is possibe to get a donor set from the scrappy and fit them yourself..its a pain of a job but do-able
:cool:
Mind you talking about it Gray,think thats what made me take the cover off.
I'll check and see if the valve is seized tonight.
Still unsure what the best course of actions going to be.
Image
Mox3d
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 661
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Telford and other really interesting places
Contact:

Tue May 13, 2008 8:20 am

If you can lay your hands on a Blue-Point endoscope you could have a good look around inside the cylinder and at the piston top. I'm sorry you're so far away else I'd come out and have a look. It's about the next best option to taking the head off, but, it's likely the head will have to come off anyway I guess.

Bad luck matey. That hurts. 8O
Image
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Tue May 13, 2008 9:03 am

Chances are it's just a broken rocker, plain and simple.
Back off all the eccentrics that side, or even remove them completely, pull off the locating clips, push loose rockers to the side away from the valves, turn the engine to loosen the rest and push them to the side as well, remove the locking plate near the front of the head, and slide the rocker shaft whichever way is easiest to enable you to replace the broken rocker.
Helps the shaft to slide if the engine is warm.
User avatar
murran
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1683
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: sheffield, good old sheffield!

Tue May 13, 2008 11:47 am

rockers do break with age/fatigue etc. not uncommon at all. especially with uprated cams valve springs.


could get some billet rockers or sumurt??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M20-Billet-Ra ... 18Q2el1247

big "ouch" in the wallet department tho! :mad:
Image
e21 killing tyres with e30 325 powerzzz
drifting on the cheap......... www.trampdrift.com
e21zone........ www.bmwe21.net
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Tue May 13, 2008 7:49 pm

e301988325i wrote:That's unlucky my friend. Is the valve seized? Have you tried pushing it down? Will take quite a bit of force but one hand should usually move it.

I can push the spring down but not much.Am i pushing the right bit :o:
Image
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Tue May 13, 2008 7:50 pm

murran wrote:rockers do break with age/fatigue etc. not uncommon at all. especially with uprated cams valve springs.


could get some billet rockers or sumurt??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M20-Billet-Ra ... 18Q2el1247

big "ouch" in the wallet department tho! :mad:
Those billet's cost more than the car did :eek:
Image
kipper
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 162
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: where ever i'm parked

Tue May 13, 2008 8:59 pm

kind of.. if he'll pm me back lol :cry:
Image

TIME-TIDE AND KIPPER WAITS FOR NO MAN!!!
pacerpete
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 18168
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Iver heath. South bucks.

Tue May 13, 2008 10:29 pm

The most common reason for a rocker arm breaking is that it is running on a worn cam . You mentioned tappets that couldn't be 'quietened' so i think it is fair to assume the cam is f4cked. No option but head off. :(
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Tue May 13, 2008 11:06 pm

on the plus side..there are brand new bare shell heads for sale on ebay right now for a mega bargain price..good excuse to rebuild one
:cool:
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
cliffybabe
Powered by Nelly
Powered by Nelly
Posts: 10020
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Croydon

Wed May 14, 2008 1:09 am

dude if it makes u feel better my cab is off the road now due to engine burning oil, this wicked weather and no cab :cry: :cry: IM gutted :cry: :cry: :cry:
Image
Considering Selling the Cabby, looks like its gonna go
Jhonno
Homo Hair
Posts: 20362
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: FLAT, FLAT, FLAT!!
Contact:

Wed May 14, 2008 1:45 am

gra325i wrote:Jit is possibe to get a donor set from the scrappy and fit them yourself..its a pain of a job but do-able
:cool:
why would you bother?! they are old and used, and therefore likely to break again :?
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

Image
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Wed May 14, 2008 7:06 am

cliffybabe wrote:dude if it makes u feel better my cab is off the road now due to engine burning oil, this wicked weather and no cab :cry: :cry: IM gutted :cry: :cry: :cry:
Sorry to hear that cliffy.
I still have the cab so that will be used when the suns out.
Cab in for mot on friday thou fingers crossed.
Image
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Wed May 14, 2008 7:08 am

gra325i wrote:on the plus side..there are brand new bare shell heads for sale on ebay right now for a mega bargain price..good excuse to rebuild one
:cool:

Just check it Gray and it had ended for £127 :cry:
Image
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed May 14, 2008 8:51 am

Jhonno wrote:
gra325i wrote:Jit is possibe to get a donor set from the scrappy and fit them yourself..its a pain of a job but do-able
:cool:
why would you bother?! they are old and used, and therefore likely to break again :?
Rubbish! As long as there isn't an underlying reason for the failure, such as cam wear, a used one is probably less likely to break than an old 'de stressed' one. The old one broke (again, as long as there's no underlying reason), because of a slight fault in the metal that's been there since it was made.
The only possible consideration to be taken into account with a used one is the slightly different wear pattern it will have in its contact area with the cam, which may result in the odd high pressure contact point.
User avatar
hartgefan
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 107
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed May 14, 2008 9:20 am

do it once and do it right,fit a new cam,rockers and shafts,job done
shedrool83
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 4395
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Dundee Scotland

Wed May 14, 2008 1:29 pm

hartgefan wrote:do it once and do it right,fit a new cam,rockers and shafts,job done
Think this will be the road i take its going in monday.
Image
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Wed May 14, 2008 5:05 pm

why would you bother?! they are old and used, and therefore likely to break again
well thats what i did 28,000 miles ago, still no problems here..and thats with a chip fitted 25,000 miles ago :mad:

Granted if i had my time again i would go for new parts, but this happened to me back in the days before i discovered the zone and it,s wealth of information

:cool:
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
Post Reply