Thu May 11, 2006 11:50 pm
before replacing tappets, try removing and cleaning them, dan's right about throwing in additives etc., unless you're particularly lazy! if the chain's being done its not much work to have the cams out and clean the tappets out.
I have a spare set of (used but quiet) tappets for a 318is btw if that's any help.
also try an oil change and some thin synth oil. do quite frequent oil changes to clean out any crap in there. make sure the old oil is warm when you remove it. mb even try flushing oil in there before the new oil goes in. might help if you have noisy tappets.
the cams can wear, but you can buy exchange regrind performance cams pretty cheap if reqd.
over a grand for the work they're on about is a hell of a lot of money. bmw themselves would be the better option if you're on about spending that much.
i would find out more accurately what's making the noise - its gotta be pretty obvious whether its water pump, injectors, or head - they're quite far apart!
the chain should only need doing if its making noise etc, and is worth trying the tensioner first anyway. how many miles you done?
ticking noise from inlet side of rocker is normally injectors, i remember dan thought his was tappets but was cured this way. worth doing as a matter of course as old injectors could harm your performance - especially as you have an ultrasonic bath!

2.1 318is, MS, LPG. 200bhp, 175ft/lbs GONE!
Boxster, e46 m3, e36 sport touring and alpina B3 3.0