E30 Zone

Hello everyone, this is my first post.
Recently bought myself a 1989 325i. I love this car, but it may be the worst example in the country. I bought it for a project and to learn. It runs well rough. On sunday i replaced filters and plugs, there is a loud tapping noise that comes from the centre of the rocker box. I set the valve clearances but the noise is still there.

Can anyone assist me to what this might be please.

After reading lots of old posts i belive the camshaft and associated parts probaly want replacing.

Thanks

Didn't drop anything in there did you mate???

bloody hope not, although i am missing a spanner

Is it easy when looking at the camshaft to see if it's worn?

Yes real easy, hang on and I'll get a photo of a fooked one.

Back in a mo.

Right, you need to look at the nose of the cam (highest point) to see how worn it is.

These photo's are a bit out of focus as my camera zoom is a bit crap but you'll get the jist of it.

This cam isn't too bad, the wear marks show maybe 1mm wear: http://img191.echo.cx/my.php?image=pict00018zx.jpg

This cam is well knackered showing about 4mm wear: http://img191.echo.cx/my.php?image=pict00021uj.jpg

If your cam is badly worn then the rockers are probably shot too, the cam is available from German Swedish and French for about Ԛ£70+vat and rockers are Ԛ£9.50+vat each.

Cheers,

Iain T

Cheers mate. I can't wait to finish work and get the rocker cover off again.

Q. So the cams can be replaced individually without having to replace all of them and the shaft etc?

The camshaft is one complete unit, the cam 'lobes' are part of it and cannot be replaced seperately. If you have one dodgy lobe then the whole shaft is scrap.

The rockers can be changed individually.

Cheers,

Iain T