M30s, do they all sound like spanners in a washing machine?

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Even after resetting all the valve clearances to the 0.30mm spec, plus re-loctiting the cam spray bar, and fitting new spark plugs and exhaust manifolds, my M30 still sounds like a bag of tiny spanners in a washing machine.

It is definately top end tappety noise, not major component failure noise. It is noisy enough to hear at speed, particularly when accellerating. Noise the same on and off throttle, so I assume not injectors.

Just wondering if they all do that, and the fact that the underbonnet sound deadening is removed highlights the fact? Shame, as it really spoils the experience for me. Any tips for making the M30 velvety smooth?

Martin.
ps: do all M30s run out of puff at 4k rpm? Mine does, but then the autobox always changes up there anyway so I assume that is normal power delivery.

[johnl320]

Not sure about the top end noise but running out of puff at 400rpm could be something to do with the exhaust, what are you using?

john

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Not sure about the top end noise but running out of puff at 400rpm could be something to do with the exhaust, what are you using?

john

Some sort of powerflow custom monstrosity that is way too council for my liking. Standard manifolds, welded downpipes, 2.5" single pipe the length of the car with just the tail silencer.

Horrid thing really that I need to try and improve on, currently looking for some OEM E34/E32 downpipes to build onto stock 325i centre/tail sections.

I want it to look and sound standard, but had always pretty much assumed all exhaust were equal give or take 5bhp. I am surprised that any exhaust could really restrict power so much?

Martin.

[johnl320]

It may not be the exhaust at all but I've meesed about with various pipes and silencers and I found bizarrely enough a 2.8 audi backbox to be very restrictive at higher revs but the standard bmw 2.0/2.5 stuff a lot better.

john

[DRIFTBOY]

I doubt the exhaust would cause it to not like going above 4000rpm, I'd say there was another problem somewhere but not sure what to be honest.

As for the rattle, I have suffered very similar problems with both my M30 engines.

My first one was 'refreshed' with new piston rings, crank bearings, timing chain and camshaft sprocket, chain tensioner, oil pump chain, rockers and rocker shafts and it STILL made the rattle.

Things I didn't replace were pistons, gudgeon pins and little end bearings, valves and valve guides, so I assumed it was those and the injectors (which I also replaced with another used set).

I never did find the cause of the rattle.

I then threw in a £100 Ebay engine with unknown history and it sounds exactly ythe same!

I have removed soundproofing from bonnet, inside and outside of bulkhead and from the car's floors.

[zaust]

No rattles here. I find the m30 makes less noise than the m20.

Did you bleed the tensioner properly ???

As for 4k limit. there is something ie tps, afm or ecu most likley suspects.

[winx]

mine sounded aweful, even a collection of zone peeps at Ace couldnt tell what it was.

Now got the engine stripped to find 6mm of endfloat in the crank Plus there was no tensioning on the oil pump so that is also fubarred...
Would love for a quieter engine once it is rebuilt

[nickso]

both mine and ritchies 335's were noisy. as long as everything checks out i wouldnt worry about as most seem to have this issue.

[Driftben]

just get a nice large charger on there to drown out the tickety noices

[fuzzy]

M30s, do they all sound like spanners in a washing machine?

no, some of them are REALLY noisy.

[blingsta]

Hmm strange that... mines as quiet as a mouse and pulls like a train.... i agree with marc, could be a problem with your ecu/tps.. what ecu you using ?

[DRIFTBOY]

Did you bleed the tensioner properly ???

Yes, as far as I know!
New slipper pad fitted also.

just get a nice large charger on there to drown out the tickety noices

It doesn't drown them out!

[e30_singh]

Hmm strange that... mines as quiet as a mouse and pulls like a train

+1 My one sounded sweet as well when it used to be up and running.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

M30s, do they all sound like spanners in a washing machine?

no, some of them are REALLY noisy.

Loving this comment, put a smile on my face when I simply wanted to take a sledge to the M30 lump

I must say I am puzzled now. It seems lots of M30s are rattly, nature of the beast, but a couple of folk at least claim they can be velvety smooth. After spending a fair bit of time tinkering today, I am almost convinced it is injector(s) rather than valve train. It is notoriously hard to pinpont such sounds of course, but it sounds more like no. 4 or 5 injector. Sounds more dull and plasticy than metal on metal too.

So, do injectors get noisy, and is there any way to quieten them?

Thanks for all the help everyone, the sound has got into my head now and really stops me enjoying the car.

Martin.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Did you bleed the tensioner properly ???

As for 4k limit. there is something ie tps, afm or ecu most likley suspects.

Zaust, would you mind expanding on the 'bleeding the tensioner' comment? I have not touched the camchain tensioner, but your comment suggests it may be hydraulic (pressured by engine oil perhaps?) and thus could benefit from bleeding.

As for the 4k thing, the car is completely standard E32 fly by wire engine except it has one of those K&N cone filters rather than the huge OEM airbox that would not fit. It will go over 4k, not like there is a rev limiter there, it just makes very little power over 4k - it struggles to accellerate over 4k in 3rd for example (about 80) but let it change into 4th and it flies again.

Couple of things that I have found today:
- Compression is not great, with values of 10.8, 10.1, 10.1, 9.6, 10.4 and 10.6. Haynes spec says they should be 10-11 bar, so pot4 is weak and pots 2 and 3 are borderline.
- In the troubleshooting section, Haynes says low auto trans oil level will cause low engine power. The oil level is low in mine, so I shall top up, maybe low trans oil feeds the ECU and restricts torque?

For those that have read this far without being bored, I would love some advice on those compression readings. Is this worth rescueing, or are they too low to warrant the effort?

Cheers all,

Martin.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

ps: do all M30s run out of puff at 4k rpm? Mine does, but then the autobox always changes up there anyway so I assume that is normal power delivery.

As part of the InspII, found that the autotrans fluid was low so topped that up. Car seems a little faster now, and autobox now changes up at 4,500 in economy mode, 5,500 in Sport.

Must have some sort of low fluid failsafe.

I think I may be expecting too much from the car really, I thought I'd get some objective info. Just planting the throttle on a level road, it will do 0-60 in 9.5 to 10 seconds. I guess that must be about normal for an M30'd auto?

Maybe it does not feel that rapid as I rarely drive a car, and commute by various motorbikes every day. I will get the car on a dyno so I can check fuelling, and be sure about its power.

Still sounds like a bag of spanner alas too, but I will eventually diagnose that one.

Martin.

[Ziggy]

I've not driven an auto M30, but 10 seconds 0-60 is ridiculously slow. I can't imagine an auto box adds 3 seconds (ish).

& an OEM airbox does fit...

[Ziggy]

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/ ... ?car=31317

There you go - 9.1 in a E32 735iL!

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Cheers Ziggy. I guess my engine is lacking some of its original ponies. I shall get it dyno'd and go from there.

Regarding the airbox, do you have an OEM airbox on yours? Any chance of an underbonnet picture, I am imagining my screenwash reservoir is in the way.

Martin.

[Ziggy]

Link to my gallery thread in my sig... just added an under bonnet shot, but I might as well paste it here too!



Your wash bottle will indeed be in the way... mine's from an E34

[turkey]

I'll agree that they're noisy, both of mine have been a bit tappety but still strong, and i got 0-60 in 5.76 with my mates G-Meter so there must be something wrong with yours, manual it i recon

[capri_rob]

Doesn't sound right at all - I've driven numerous 535i's and a 735i and all of them were very quiet - as for performance the 535i's went like stink - and they auto's

[capri_rob]

If my M20B25 ever bites the dust it will be replaced with M30B35 rightness

[DRIFTBOY]

Regarding the airbox, do you have an OEM airbox on yours? Any chance of an underbonnet picture, I am imagining my screenwash reservoir is in the way.

I have a standard air box with a nearly new genuine BMW (Mahle) element in it if you need one, was going to put it on Ebay tonight!

PM me if you're interested.

[DRIFTBOY]

If my M20B25 ever bites the dust it will be replaced with M30B35 rightness

Just do it anyway and sell the healthy M20 to someone who wants to upgrade a 318 IS!

[capri_rob]

If my M20B25 ever bites the dust it will be replaced with M30B35 rightness

Just do it anyway and sell the healthy M20 to someone who wants to upgrade a 318 IS!

Dude I'm on my 3rd beer......right at the minute your suggestion sounds like a damn fine idea !!!!

[DRIFTBOY]

If my M20B25 ever bites the dust it will be replaced with M30B35 rightness

Just do it anyway and sell the healthy M20 to someone who wants to upgrade a 318 IS!

Dude I'm on my 3rd beer......right at the minute your suggestion sounds like a damn fine idea !!!!

I'm only on my 2nd beer and it seemed good!

[Ziggy]

Mine was an extremely healthy 2.5 when I ripped it out... Do it!

[leeparkes]

Mines a healthy 2.5 and im doing it

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=129516

DO IT!

[ImysE30]

Mine's too healthy

Need to kill it