Cold start

[barnaby]

Hi, got a 316i 1990. when i start the car in the mornings or when i leave it for a while it doesn't sound too healthy but as soon as its warmed up it fine. wondering if there is anything i can do to stop this?

[Brianmoooore]

depends what you mean by not sounding healthy. If you mean it sounds like someone rapidly hitting the rocker cover with a hammer, then this is quite normal for an M40 with 50,000+ miles. BMWs, not too successfull, first attempt at self adjusting tappets.