E30 Zone

Hi all,

I have a 318i convertible and I noticed a ticking noise at motorway speeds, between 3500 and 4000 rpm. I checked the oil and it was fresh and was a third of the way up between the lines.

Is this just normal for an old car or is there a problem? the car runs fine and pulls very well.

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

Probably just a noisey tappet. What engine have you got?
If it's an M40, this is unfortunately quite common with these

Sorry just realised what subject this is in and saw that it was posted in the M40 section so that answers that.

My M40 engine developed the infamous "M40 tick" and I replaced the camshaft and followers etc and it's still there.

I came to the conclusion that I must have a valve guide that is worn, so it a head off job to cure. So it's on my never ending "to do" list lol.

However what I will say is that if it has only just started do it, it's definitely worth taking off the rocker cover and seeing if that oil spray bar is clear and not blocked up as I believe this was the common cause for it

Yes I’ve heard that they suffer with the problem!
Perfect, I’ll think that’s the first thing to check.
Cheers for the help

My friend had a clicking noise from his M40 and he recons changing the exhaust gasket solved it. I would be getting the valve train looked at and adjusted though

Not adjustment on m40 engines I'm afraid. Hydraulic tappets on those

Ah! I wasn't aware.

OP have you had the cam cover off to take a look inside?

If you're ballsy, you can give it a start with the cam cover off and see if the bar is feeding all the cam lobes with oil properly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHRQvqxuIr0#t=6m49s

Get up to the higher end of the speed at which it occurs, then push in the clutch, but feather the throttle to keep the revs the same. Does the noise stop? Immediately turn off the key. Does the noise stop?