Just started running lumpy & tappy M20 like a tractor!

[fingerman]

Drove down to near Dartford today for a work colleagues funeral.

Anyway, all was running well, did about 220 miles then off the M25 to the crem and got stuck behind a bus. So when it stopped I saw may chance and drove passed it and just put my foot down a little bit, then all of a sudden I lost power a bit and the engine went more tappy than usual and lumpy !

Anyway it got me home - another 225 miles, just very noisy/lumpy on the way back

Yesterday I had topped up the fluids, tyres etc and all was good

The car is booked in the local Indy on Wednesday to fit a pair of front lower rear wishbone bushes and rear top mounts so they can have a look at the lumpy tappyness then

Car is a 1987 320 with a 2.5 head (Chris W knows more about it!), I did an oil service about 3k ago, sparks replaced with NGK's, air filter done - fuel filter next, not touched the TPS - maybe this is the issue as the car is running on a full LE Jetronic setup, and it could do with a clean ?

Anyone got any ideas?

[Theo]

Could be a snapped rocker arm - doh. Whip the rocker cover off and hhave a look that all the arms are intact.

[leeparkes]

+1, sounds like a snaped rocker (noise,loss of power)
was the engine screaming when it went? ie,6k
225 miles with a snaped rocker

[fingerman]

A little bit of a scream when it went (from me!!!) - and yep guys you were correct, thanks and

Is this a big job chaps ?

[fingerman]

Just had a chat with the local Indy who said it was quite a big job, cylinder head off etc

[Theo]

225 miles with a snaped rocker

Pfff, I did 350 miles running on 5 - all the way from the Nurburgring to my doorstep. However I diagnosed it as soon as it happened and disconnected the injector to avoid bore wash. Hopefully yours is ok after 225 miles..

Actually, why on earth does your 320i engine have a 325i head? I thought that was a big no-no.

[fingerman]

The previous owner had it replaced as the 320 went tits on him - his local garage replaced it with one off a 325, I think head a block (not sure?)

It's certainly a lot quicker than the 320 but not as quick as the 325 - somewhere inbetween

It's going in tomorrow to get the rear shock mounts replaced and front lower rear wishbone bushes, he will have a look at the rocker damage and let me know. It didn't sound good when I spoke to him

[Chris-W]

Actually, why on earth does your 320i engine have a 325i head? I thought that was a big no-no.

It's a complete 325 lump.

Best get the cam replaced at the same time, Sean.

[zimmer-320i]

i didnt even think b20 and b25 heads were interchangable? but then i wouldnt see the problem if the oil and water ways were the same, only concern i suppose it valves hitting the piston??

whats ure view theo?

and havent seen u post for a while how you been?

[fingerman]

Actually, why on earth does your 320i engine have a 325i head? I thought that was a big no-no.

It's a complete 325 lump.

Best get the cam replaced at the same time, Sean.

Thanks a lot for the info Chris, was hoping you'd jump in!

In two minds now wether to get the work done or get rid, sounds costly

[zimmer-320i]

lucky it was ya inlet that snapped and not the out let or could of had some bad times

[owenbach]

yes you can fit b20 head onto b25 . i read in bmw mag that b20 gives better flow rating than b25 something about port sizes if i remember right

[fingerman]

Took it in today and the cost to get it fixed is too much for me to fix (unless you have the skills yourself!) so I'm afraid she has to go to the land of ebay spares or repairs

[zimmer-320i]

your selling the car beacuse of one broken rocker arm, suppose ure be going back to some french box then? seriosly isnt that hard and as it broke the inlet arm your be fine, shouldnt be any damage, you dont even need to remove the head iirc. or for 150/200 pound buy a head and replace the belt at the same time

[zimmer-320i]

suppose ure be going back to some french box then?

was a joke btw

[fingerman]

suppose ure be going back to some french box then?

was a joke btw

Actually the wife's car is a Scenic and it costs more to run that thing than the BM - full Renault service history as well The next car I get will be a BMW, you can count on that - I won't buy anything else

Anyway I picked it up tonight from the garage and pretty well made my mind up as there may be more things up with it after sorting out the rocker

The body is very good for a chromie and don't worry it won't be broken up (Alex!)

And I've just bought a load of service bits for it as well from the local dealer which I won't use, bit will on the next

I'm looking at going back to the E34, trying to pick up a 525 (M50) around the £500 mark

[Brianmoooore]

No need to take the head off to change a rocker. Push the rockers sideways off of the valves, and slide the shaft out enough to change it.

[fingerman]

No need to take the head off to change a rocker. Push the rockers sideways off of the valves, and slide the shaft out enough to change it.

You certainly know your stuff Brian and thanks for the info, the Indy said the rockers weren't standard BMW ones (maybe GSF or ECP?) so said to replace them all ?

To many uncertainties as it's me daily drive and I'm not the best mechanic!

I do love the car and spent a lot on her, the body is very good and I'm still in two minds wether to get rid or try and get fixed

[Rallyprep_UK]

fix the fricker

come on some zoner must be able to help out !

will

[leeparkes]

its not that hard a job,
have a go at it,and if you get stuck we are here to help
you will regret it if you sell it because of a job you can do yourself,
imo your mechanics trying to have you over saying head will have to come off etc..

[Rallyprep_UK]

i spose if you have a go and fowl it up you will have to sell an e30 in need of a replacement head or head rebuild..

as opposed to trying to sell an e30 in need of a replacement head or head rebuild... LOL

giv it a go
got haynes ??

[fingerman]

Thanks for the tips, advice guys but I've decided she's got to go.

Now on ebay, will post link in ebay section

[nicey]

Sean, I'm breaking your old 320i up as I've bought a 325 tourer, if you want the head of it your welcome to pop down and take it off with me, I'll even let you have it cheap (£50) and you know its a good engine!!.

[fingerman]

Once again, thanks very much for the info/offers - dazleeds is picking up the car tomorrow so he may be in contact with you