318i - sewing machine noise / valve adjustment?

[blueconvert]

Hi - My car has developed valve noise like sewing machine between 1500 and 2500 rpm... some people say its normal for these engines.. my local garage said it is not, and checked them.. told me they've changed camshafts and a couple of rockers at a cost of around 600 pounds(!). I seem to recall the situation improving a bit but I think I am back to square one.. so my questions are:

- Is it true for these engines that this noise is normal?
- Shall I keep throwing money at the problem?
- Did the garage do a bad job?
- Could it be possible that some days the noise is worse than others?
- Is this just valve adjustment or could it be a more serious problem?

Thanks lots!

M

[Simon]

My first car was a 316i, and when the cylinder head cracked on it, I took the opportunity to change the rockers and cam, it was lovely and quiet for the first few thousand miles, but it didn't stay that way

They may have used cheap parts (like I did ) or may not have installed them with the correct procedure, the cams should be coated with gearbox oil, and run at a certain RPM iirc.

[orangecurry]

Simon speaks wisely - if the car runs ok just ignore it; it is allegedly unlikely to cause engine failure

where are you based ? I have an M40 head that was in good order when removed - I had a bottom end failure and changed the whole engine

[blueconvert]

Hi - I'm located in London.. and I think I will be following the advice.. i.e. try to forget about it until complete catastrophe..

thanks guys