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e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:53 am
by imye30
have a listen on you tube can any one tell from the noise what this could be hope its not as bad as it sounds

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:33 pm
by makman
get a long metal object like a screwdriver and press one side to your ear..then go along the cylinder head with the otherside....like a doctors stethascope lol...youl hear an irregularity on the problem area..wether it be a snapped rocker arm or big end bearing etc. it doesnt sound like a misfire bit to eliminate it go through your plug leads by removing them and seeing if the noise changes.

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:42 pm
by maxfield
That ain't a misfire.

Pull the rocker cover off and have a look for something obvious like a snapped rocker. It's only a few 10mm nuts.

Although the problem sounds more bottom end and with the post you put about oil pressure light doesn't look promising.

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:54 pm
by makman
ah i didnt know you was having oil pressure problems also :) ^^^^^ what max said lol

if theres no rocker arm damage etc...drop your oil and check for metalic particles..if there present then its bottom end damage

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:13 pm
by imye30
I think it's oil pressure the oil light does come on an flicker wen driven

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:15 pm
by maxfield
Red oil light on the instrument cluster?

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:17 pm
by jmc330i
I would think that's bottom end :(

Had the same on my 1st touring, even the bit in the vid where it goes quite for a few seconds, then starts knocking again.

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:23 pm
by imye30
if its the bottom end is that a lot of work an what sort of cost can that be

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:26 pm
by maxfield
Be easier and cheaper to put a known good engine in.

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:36 pm
by imye30
nice one cheers to be honest it was up for sale been told might be a good idea to break it for parts as i need a small car now women hey

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 2:53 pm
by e30topless
low oil pressure = starved top end which leads to broken rockers, and that's what it sounds like it has :(

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:02 pm
by makman
has it been regularly serviced mate?

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:29 pm
by imye30
e30topless wrote:low oil pressure = starved top end which leads to broken rockers, and that's what it sounds like it has :(
Is that expensive to get fixed

Re: e30 325i sounds like a diesel

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:34 pm
by HairyScreech
Nasty, either a broken rocker or a spun shell, either way lots of work to sort out.