E30 Zone

OK; My first post. My M40 engine (1989 318i)has the cam shaft prob I think. It's very noisy in there. Would flushing the engine oil, then replacing the oil with synthetic oil, then removing, cleaning and replacing the cam spray arm; quieten things down while I decide what to do next.

new cam set is about 140

Please try to post in the correct forum. Questions about a M40 engine do not belong in a forum dedicated to M50/52 engines!
There's a section for M40 engines, but that is more concerned with modifying them rather than general servicing/repairs. The correct place for this is in E30 Tech Help, which is where it's going.

I've had some success quietening down M40 tappet noise doing similar to what you say. Some an almost 100% cure, and some no effect at all. I think it depends on the balance of wear and clogged in the tappets concerned.

Humblest apologies and thankyou for putting it in the right spot

nibbe30 wrote:Humblest apologies and thankyou for putting it in the right spot

Mr Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore's bark is far worse than his bite.

All cylinder head parts seem to be expensive for M40 engines,it may well prove more cost effective to swap in a quieter engine or head.

Try an engine flush but get it real hot. Then try some Quantum Platinum 5/40 this oil was made for VAG PD engines so its built to stop cam wear. It also meets BMW LL04 spec.

broadie wrote:Try an engine flush but get it real hot. Then try some Quantum Platinum 5/40 this oil was made for VAG PD engines so its built to stop cam wear. It also meets BMW LL04 spec.

I shall try that. I'm not sure that oil is available in Australia but I shall look for it.

daimlerman wrote:

nibbe30 wrote:Humblest apologies and thankyou for putting it in the right spot

Mr Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore's bark is far worse than his bite.

All cylinder head parts seem to be expensive for M40 engines,it may well prove more cost effective to swap in a quieter engine or head.

I'm in Tasmania, I doubt there are many replacement options and I'm not really after more power but if an m42 out of an e30 came along I guess I could put up with more power. Any suggestions for a different head? I can't imagine how a head with a belt driven cam could be swapped for a chain driven one.

Thanks for your responses btw

rich318i wrote:new cam set is about 140

From where I wonder? I'd pay that and shipment to Down Under

nibbe30 wrote:

broadie wrote:Try an engine flush but get it real hot. Then try some Quantum Platinum 5/40 this oil was made for VAG PD engines so its built to stop cam wear. It also meets BMW LL04 spec.

I shall try that. I'm not sure that oil is available in Australia but I shall look for it.

Its VW oil the spec is vw505.01

Difficult to see the OP's location!

We always assume UK/Eurozone until told differently.
I was thinking of you being able to locate a quieter head/complete M40 engine,in the UK we struggle to give the poor things away.

I guess in your part of the world,it may be less costly to order up a new cam,lifters and rockers.
On the plus side,these bits can be replaced with the head still mounted.

These engines do run better with regular oil/filter changes,so once you have the thing right,change the oil/filter at least twice a year,or every 5/6k miles.

If the cam lobes and rocker followers do not look worn then the noise is from the hydrolic tappets.

Sometimes a good oil change will cure the noisy tappets but otherwise they need to be replaced.

Be very wary when replacing the camshaft or tappets with the engine in place....the engine slopes over to the right and there are small holes for the oil to flow back down into the sump.
These holes are just the right diameter for the little washers that sit on top of the valve to fall down into the sump....ask me how I know this.

So first block off these holes with old rags before lifting the camshaft!