Does my M42 sound okay? :(

[E30REDD]

I am worried about the sound of the engine:

[E30REDD]

The OP has been updated with the correct link.

[E30REDD]

Bump!

[E30REDD]

This rattling sound is completely gone as long as the engine is cold.

[E30REDD]

Bump

[jon-m42]

sounds like you are in need to changing timing chain and tensioner.

i may be wrong do wait around for the gods of e30 to shed some light on this.

[E30REDD]

sounds like you are in need to changing timing chain and tensioner.

i may be wrong do wait around for the gods of e30 to shed some light on this.

I have already changed chain tensioner.

[alan1272]

it's really difficult to tell from a video, but if you've changed the tensioner and it's still noisey then i'd bet the chain and guides are due for replacement.

[E30REDD]

it's really difficult to tell from a video, but if you've changed the tensioner and it's still noisey then i'd bet the chain and guides are due for replacement.

I can't really change the guides and the chain since I'm using my car daily and I would almost think it's worth buying a complete new M42 engine instead of changing the chain and guides.

I think the engine will last many miles without replacing anything but the major problem is that the chain rattles really loud when revving the engine to 3 000 RPM.

[balilu91]

so this happens only when engine is hot? and does it happen after 3000 rpm? Maybe oil isnt reaching 100% the tensioner. what engine oil is in it? and when was it last changed?

[E30REDD]

so this happens only when engine is hot? and does it happen after 3000 rpm? Maybe oil isnt reaching 100% the tensioner. what engine oil is in it? and when was it last changed?

Hello,

The sound you can hear in the video is how the engine sounds all the time, whether it's hot or cold.

The rattling sound in the video is the "idle rattling sound". When I rev it to 3 000 RPM a high rattle sounds occur.

I have changed the tensioner and all it did was making the rattling sound occur at 3 000 RPM. Before I changed the tensioner the rattling sound started at 2 700 RPM.

I have changed oil and nothing happened. I'm using 5W-40 or 5W-30, can't remember.

[jmc330i]

the major problem is that the chain rattles really loud when revving the engine to 3 000 RPM.

Did you replace the tensioner and both chain guides?

If yes, then the chain and cam sprockets could be the next to change, especially if youre driving it every day as its only going to get worse before the inevitable happens.

[E30REDD]

the major problem is that the chain rattles really loud when revving the engine to 3 000 RPM.

Did you replace the tensioner and both chain guides?

If yes, then the chain and cam sprockets could be the next to change, especially if youre driving it every day as its only going to get worse before the inevitable happens.

It's too much work and money to change the guides, chain and sprockets. I have only changed the tensioner.

I have been driving it for half a year now and the sound hasn't changed yet so I'm going to keep on driving until it gets worse.

As long as I'm not revving to 3 000 RPM it does actually sound totally fine. A friend of mine does also own a 318is and his engine sounds exactly as mine except that it doesn't rattle at 3 000 RPM.

[jmc330i]

I am worried about the sound of the engine

It's too much work and money to change the guides, chain and sprockets. I have only changed the tensioner.

I have been driving it for half a year now and the sound hasn't changed yet so I'm going to keep on driving until it gets worse.

TBH, it doesnt sound like youre that worried!

The sporckets could be fine at the moment, but if the rattle is coming from around the chain area, its probably going to be chain/guide related. And if left until it gets worse, it will possibly do more damage.
It will cost more if left for longer or one of the unchanged parts fail

Good luck I guess

[E30REDD]

I am worried about the sound of the engine

It's too much work and money to change the guides, chain and sprockets. I have only changed the tensioner.

I have been driving it for half a year now and the sound hasn't changed yet so I'm going to keep on driving until it gets worse.

TBH, it doesnt sound like youre that worried!

The sporckets could be fine at the moment, but if the rattle is coming from around the chain area, its probably going to be chain/guide related. And if left until it gets worse, it will possibly do more damage.
It will cost more if left for longer or one of the unchanged parts fail

Good luck I guess

Well, if you bother removing the timing belt cover and changes the chain and guides, why not changing the sprockets aswell?

I could actually remove the vavle cover and give you a picture of how it looks inside there.

[E30REDD]

Okay, it's off.

Sprockets are kinda pointy.

Is there anything I should do before screwing it all back together?

http://imageupper.com/g/?S020001007U1373204193534896

[jmc330i]

For some reason I can't zoom the pics on my phone, but they do look well worn
If the chain hasn't been changed, its going to be worn as well (and Id think the guides too) which could be where your rattling is coming from.
Personally I'd be looking to get that lot changed. It might last a while, but it would be a much nicer car with it sorted.

[E30REDD]

For some reason I can't zoom the pics on my phone, but they do look well worn
If the chain hasn't been changed, its going to be worn as well (and Id think the guides too) which could be where your rattling is coming from.
Personally I'd be looking to get that lot changed. It might last a while, but it would be a much nicer car with it sorted.

I do agree but I don't like the idea of changing the lot because:

1. Is it doable without removing the engine? It's so narrow!
2. I guess it will cost at least 300-400£ just for the parts. I'm pretty sure I can get a new M42 engine for that price. But yeah, what prevents the new engine I buy from having bad chain lots too?

[jmc330i]

what prevents the new engine I buy from having bad chain lots too?

Exactly. You could spend £200 on another M42 and then have to spend out again. If you're confident the existing bottom end is good, it would make sense to stick with it.
Of course, you could always have a good look over any potential new engine and then make a decision.

I have no idea in the cost of renewing the chain etc, but I know it will be less than having a failure and needing to start all over.
It would be something I'd get sorted sooner rather than later - there is a rattle present for a reason and its not going to cure itself.

[E30REDD]

what prevents the new engine I buy from having bad chain lots too?

Exactly. You could spend £200 on another M42 and then have to spend out again. If you're confident the existing bottom end is good, it would make sense to stick with it.
Of course, you could always have a good look over any potential new engine and then make a decision.

I have no idea in the cost of renewing the chain etc, but I know it will be less than having a failure and needing to start all over.
It would be something I'd get sorted sooner rather than later - there is a rattle present for a reason and its not going to cure itself.

Yeah I don't really know what to do... Sell the car while it's still working good and buy another E30.

I really like the M42 engine since it's more powerful than the M10 and M40 and the best of all is that it has a low fuel consumption.

Or maybe I could just run until it fails and then get whatever engine I get my hands on. Nah I don't know really, help me out here?

[DHFiS]

Okay, it's off.Sprockets are kinda pointy.

They look well worn. This is what they should look like

[E30REDD]

Okay, it's off.Sprockets are kinda pointy.

They look well worn. This is what they should look like

Yep, you're totally right. The question is how long will they last. Or will something else break before the sprockets gets too worn?