Valve clearances & Rocker cover fixings

[Jackle]

Just has my rocker cover off today to adjust my valve clearances, the engine is well ticky - the clearances were just about spot on though, so what else would cause my engine to tick so much (my previous 325 was nowhere near as bad)?

When I went to the dealers to get a new gasket I also asked for a new set of bolts, only to be told that it didn't use bolts, the rocker cover fits over studs and is held on with nuts. I was sure mine had bolts, and sure enough it has, only with 2 replaced with screws...
Anyhow I got 6 of the bolts done up ok, but 2 just kept turning (I wasn't even doing them up very tight), so I guess the thread is knackered in the bolt holes.
Is there an easy way round this? I was thinking the only thing to do would be to tap a thread in and use a larger bolt.

[320Touring]

if its making a ticking noise at idle, good chance it would be your injectors.

the 320/325 share the same injector type with several mercs from the same era.they all suffer from this ticking

not really something to worry about--as long as the clearances are ok, then jobsagoodun

hope this helps

[Toby_Unna]

exhaust manifold gasket. listen to see if the ticking gets worse when the engine is under load.

[Peca]

I have same ticking problem with my m10 318i.
Whats the right way to adjust the valve clearances? Set the
no1 piston to TDC adjust the clearace and then turn the crank for 180 degrees or by 90 to adjust no3? Haynes manual says 180 but i think thats wrong. I rotate it for 90 degrees and adjust but its still thicking at all RPM.
Maybe its just injectors...
P.S. I just did a general engine overhaul

[Brianmoooore]

Proper way so sort studs is to drill, tap and helicoil the holes and fit new studs, but, in this non too critical applicatioin, you may just get away with new studs set in some "liquid metal" or similar.

[Jackle]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've got a set of ChippedUK's uprated injectors in there that aren't supposed to tick - and they didn't (that I could tell) when they were in my previous car.

I'll check the exhaust manifold gasket next time I get chance, although from what I remember it doesn't seem to make any difference to the ticking whether the engine is under load or not.

Where would I get new studs from? And what would be the best stuff to "glue" them in with?

[Boots_Walker]

my motor still ticks too, depsite valve clearances being set correctly.

would there be any problem with running the engine with the valve cover off? i want to check that the spray bar doesnt have any blockages and has sufficient pressure

could worn eccentrics be noisy, even if they are holding the correct clearance?

[rusty323]

You can run the engine with the rocker off, might get oil everywhere though! I have just done my clearances and my 323 still ticks slightly. I think it's just general engine ware mate!
I don't know wether its a good idea to put thicker oil in M20's i've known some to do it with good results i.e slighlty quieter!

[TouringMatt]

new studs set in some "liquid metal" or similar

How much torque can that stuff take?

Matt