318i Rattly top end

[curly]

Hi everyone!
I'm going to look at a 318i (1988 vintage) which has a rattly top end.
Do these engines have any well known faults? Could the cam be worn in the head or maybe just loose valve clearances?
If it is valve clearance are they bucket/shim or screw and locknut? I'm a bike mechanic by trade so adjusting valves or fitting cams should be quite straightforward.
Thanks for your help and advice in advance.
Curly

[Jimbob]

When you say rattly I would imagine it would be the camshaft, unfortunately I've never worked on an M40 before so haven't no idea what it would be like to swap, although with your experience it wouldn't be too difficult at all.

[rayman]

tapets are hydrolic, inspect camshaft lobes if ok probley just requires new hydrolic tapets.[ can be replaced without removing camshaft with special tool ]

[kam-325i]

I thought just the M42 has hydraulic tapets....

[Martinaston]

it could be worn belt tensioners as well (2) or even the water pump but that normally leaks when knakerd.

[jonbuoy]

How many mile's has the car done?

Probably just the Hydrolic Lifter's not the tappet's.

Nothing seem's to be adjustable on these engine's accept the afm

[Gwynleym10]

M40 engines are designed to rattle after 80 000 miles so you throw them away and put something better in the hole!

tis the hydralic lifters and possible a warn cam. Generally its a crap design. If you can cope with the noise it will last until you can offord something else.

I have one (which is going to be binned soon) rattles a tiny bit (haven't really looked at it but i'm going to try an engine flush (yes I know all the problems) and some nice fresh oil.

It may also be the exhuast manifold gasket, but thats an arse of a job to do unless you like replacing broken studs

[Gwynleym10]

Welcome to the zone by the way!

[rayman]

M40, M42 have hydrolic tapets{lifters} M10, M20 dont

[curly]

thanks guys. Bought the car paid Ԛ£80 for it! In for a MOT now. It will do for a cheap track car for next year. Already thinking about engine swap! Maybe 325 E36 24v engine?