Noisy Tappets e30 325 1988 model!

Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:30 pm

Hello All...

I have just bought my first e30 325 cabrio auto 88 E and what a dream it is...

I knew that buying a 21yr old car would need some mechanical lovin so here i am asking if the members @ e30 can help me out.

The Tappets are pretty noisy at idle and become very noticable at high revs now would it be better to replace these or do as the mechanic has suggested and adjust them? also would it be advisable to add an air induction kit to complement the scorpion exhuast? if so what one?

Look forward to the replys,

Zee

Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:51 pm

Get your tappets adjusted.

The BMW one is normally better then a aftermarket one as the aftermarket ones suck hot air from the engine bay. You would need a heat shield thing to stop this. Scorpoin systems are great, but they may be too loud for some people. A BTB manifold is what you would compliment, but there very expensive.

Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:55 pm

Thanks Blitz... Ill have them adjusted and the BTB manifold is on my wish list

I was hoping the Scorpion system wasnt going to be over the top luckily its just about right esp at high end.

Cheers mate

Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:23 pm

Here's a guide to adjust the valves

make sure the engine is stone cold when you do them

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... M20_engine

Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:50 pm

Hi if they are still noisey after adjusting , it may be your injectors, I have had a tappety noise for about 2 years , bought a second hand engine and recon injectors , fitted recon injectors to my engine and the noise has gone, (will still replace engine as i have pre face lift fitted to a j plate and new engine is post face lift so is the correct engine for my car).

Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:06 pm

Thanks guys for the excellent info LEEPARKS that was a great link but im not confident enough to try this yet & BALLY if all fails i will try replaceing the injectors!

I found a guy Schlomo from Livingston with is an independent merc/BMW specialist who has qouted me £670 for this work:

inspection 2 service*
replace top rad hose
replace exhuast downpipe bracket
adjust tappets & check oil leak*
replace anti freeze
replace wiper blades and washer jets
renew fuel filter
replace N/S/R diff oil seal*
replace boot striker

Geea

Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:35 pm

670 quid is ALOT of money for that amount of work imo.

All that can be done for half the price.

Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:01 am

Thats a £300 job.

Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:15 am

Geea wrote:adjust tappets & check oil leak*

^Then they will try and rinse even more money out of you^

"aarh mate the sump gaskets gone and its leaking at the rear crank seal, while we are there do you want us to change the clutch, blah blah blah"

Next thing you know you have a garage bill for more than the cars worth!

Steer clear of that garage fella

Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:50 am

ok im already looking for another mechanic... thanks for the advice! Appreciated.

Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:25 am

Isnt fuzzy from Edinburgh?

Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:21 pm

Hi leeparkes... who is fuzzy?

Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:03 pm

BTB manifold would make a great noise coupled with your scorpion exhaust, but you'll be paying for it

TBH, not worth it if you dont care for proper performance setup. There are other manifolds around for a lot cheaper which dont give the bhp increases of the BTB (if any at all) but do have a nice noise.

Induction kits are one of those topics. Yes or no depending on whether or not you like them. People say they ruin engines and let more shite in etc, but at the end of the day, cars run for years and years without problems with k&n inductions etc. 1 thing, get a heat shield from ebay or wherever, or get one that has a tube going to the bottom of your car as breathing in hot air from your engine is pointless.

One of the great joys about these cars is learning about them. Take on what seems like an impossible task, only to find its very possible. I just had a guy round to mine this weekend to dismantle my cylinder head (where your tappets are) and it was actually really, really simple.
I think you'd be supprised once your there. Other than that, most of those on your list anyone could do. You'll feel much better for it and learn along the way. And you'll be that much closer to affording some good parts for your car.

EDIT: Just looked at the article. Its actually really, really simple by the looks of things.

There is two long pipes that have 6 rocker arms each. Under each rocker arm is a spring (or 2) and the top of a valve. In the middle of the head is the camshaft. As you twist the camshaft (using the pully on the front) it spins the camshaft which has loads of egg shaped "cams" which as the shaft spins, raises and lowers the rocker arms in the correct order. When a rocker arm is rested (the peak of the cam is facing down) adjust it to how the article says. Spin the cam some more, and do another rocker arm.

Actually really simple if you take your time.

Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:05 pm

Geea wrote:Hi leeparkes... who is fuzzy?

He's a guy on here,
up until recently he had a cosworth powered E30.

If you were closer to me id help you out and it wouldnt cost you £600+

Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:19 am

Leeparkes: If its a white touring cosy then i met him a few years ago at the petrol pump... as he pulled in i heard a dump valve that got me interested and chatting to him... ill chase him up.

Nayc much appreciated for your words of encouragment... if i find the right mechanic ill ask him if he is happy for me to get hands on atleast ill have someone close by that can fix anything i break!!

Cheers

Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:59 am

JAMMIN I have spoke to Ashbrookes a BMW specialist who have booked the car in for a reasonable price... im glad i mentioned it as ive saved a few bob for some trick bits.

Thanks to everyone who helped out!

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:08 am

What work you getting done to it mate?

Glad you getting it sorted.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:44 am

Am i right in thinking, that it is not a bad thing for a 325i to be just a bit tappetey.?
Or have i got that completely wrong. Pretty sure a very respected zoner said this not too long ago.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:31 am

The mechanic at work knows these cars backwards (he used to spanner E30 M3s touring cars as well as road cars) and he swears they should always be left a little loose for best power and idle. I don't have any dyno figures to back it up

Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:53 am

gooner1 wrote:Am i right in thinking, that it is not a bad thing for a 325i to be just a bit tappetey.?
Or have i got that completely wrong. Pretty sure a very respected zoner said this not too long ago.

They are fine to tap away (as long as they're not really bad), but you loose some of the hp. It looks like quite an easy job to do, so may as well be done every now and then.