Rata tat tat tap tap tap!!!!

[Fr0ztz]

Hello all,

Just bought my first e30 318i 1991. 86k on the clock

When i got it it had 10w-40 halfords oil. It started to tap so i put 15w-40 high mileage castrol gtx. Tapping got worse and was advised to try 10w-40, so i put castrol 10w 40 magnatec oil and slick50 (750ml) treatment in.

It still taps!! from about 2000 rpm. The noise disappears when heat gage reads around halfway. Normal crusing tamp is below a quarter.

I sure its the tappits, but its self adjusting on the m40??

Frosty.

[massive]

Valve clearence maybe....

[jonbuoy]

I use 0w-40w mobile one after i chucked some engine cleaner in. Found that thickening the oil was just blocking the oil way's so i gave it a good clean out and chucked the 0w-40w in and was good for a while but in the end i had to change the Hydrolic Lifter's, paid Ԛ£90 all in
And that's a good price!

[Brianmoooore]

It's a M40. Any M40 with more than about 60K miles that doesn't knock from one or more tappets is a rare beast. It does no harm, and as long as it shuts up when the car is warm and is moving, then don't worry about it.

[Fr0ztz]

It taps when at normal temp which is 90% of the time. It only shuts up when in traffic which is around half way on the temp gauge. It also sometimes makes surges of taps, getting louder slightly then suddenly cuts off for 3-4 secs then repeats. The noise is very noticible with windows shut.

[Jhonno]

mines done 73k... the last 20k or which have been abusive altho not stupid and it doesnt tap

[Fr0ztz]

I have just been looking at it now, the tapping stops at around 1/4 and a bit on the gauge. This temp is only achiveable when i am reving it up stationary.

Could it be that there is not enough oil pressure to push oil to the top of the engine when its colder. Would it be worth checking the oil tube on the top of the head?

I have looked though the oil cap, it looks a bit dry on the side of the inside of the head.

does anyone have a pic so i can see?

[jonbuoy]

It will be dry mate, it's got a plastic cover between the cam and the rocker cover.
Just flush it out, your doing your head in over nothing!

Look mate, with the M40, if it rattling there's something wrong!

[Simon]

I find flushing an M40 just makes the noise even worse, because you're cleaning out the crud that keeps it from being even noisier!

I totally rebuilt the top end on my old 316i, all new parts, and it still sounded pretty crap!

[jonbuoy]

I find flushing an M40 just makes the noise even worse, because you're cleaning out the crud that keeps it from being even noisier!

I totally rebuilt the top end on my old 316i, all new parts, and it still sounded pretty crap!

Worked wondered's on mine mate

Done the Temperature Sensor today geese, much better

Cheer's Si

[Fr0ztz]

Its not rattling, there is a clicking/tapping sound inside which goes away when engine is warmer than normal crusing temp. The engine idles perfect and pulls well. couple of people have said it sounds good, apart from the tappet sound.

When i was stuck in traffic for 3 hours in london day before yesterday, there was no tapping sound at all becuase the engine temp was just lower than 1/4 higher on the gauge than crusing temp

[Simon]

I find flushing an M40 just makes the noise even worse, because you're cleaning out the crud that keeps it from being even noisier!

I totally rebuilt the top end on my old 316i, all new parts, and it still sounded pretty crap!

Worked wondered's on mine mate

Done the Temperature Sensor today geese, much better

Cheer's Si

Good stuff!

[gazza]

flushing does help if the oil changes have not been carried out on a regular basis.it is also worth changing the oil spray bar they cost 9 pounds if they dont work then overhaul the valve gear this means new cam/rockers/tappets and will cost around the 250 mark mine rattled and i hated it especially when mates ask you if its a diesel.but its not a difficult job and i reckon it was like bolting on an extra 20hp when it was done and its nice and quiet but if you listen to somepeople it wont stay quiet for long some people just live with it i could not .....good luck

[jonbuoy]

Gonna do a cam in mine soon cos mine is being a bit tappy lately, high lift
But your temp going up and down is a bit out of the ordinary, i wonder if you've got an air lock?

Sound's like it's in need of a decent service