Clickety click

[minime1275]

I know the BMW 6cyl engines (M20?) are supposed to be silky smooth, but both my previous F reg 325 (187,000miles) and my current G reg 320 (110,000 recorded miles) sound a bit clicky when the engine is running. Nothing major - more of a ticking than a click. Is this probably tappets? I know it wont be perfect a that mileage and I do suffer mechanical paranoia since owning a tempremental mini and a self-distructing pug 205.

However, Ive noticed today that when im driving my 320 in any gear, the very slight clicking/ticking noise from the engine becomes audible within the cabin at around 3,000rpm upwards and at motorway cruising speeds, whether engines under load or not. Again, is this pretty normal for an old engine? I tend to spend more time worrying about strange noises than enjoying my cars

[Davenotouring]

The injectors do make a clicking noise, but wouldn't normally be audible in the cabin once moving.

Your tappets could need adjustment....?

Also, the cap on the end of the steering column may be missing, causing noise from the engine bay to come into the cabin, making it seem louder than before.

[Simon]

Does the clicking/tapping change with engine speed??

Like Dave said, the steering colums can amplify a lot of engine noise into the cabin, just pop the steering wheel cover off and put some blu-tack over the hole!

[minime1275]

Thanks for the prompt replies.

As I said, the noise isnt that bad - lifting the bonnet with it ticking over makes it quite audible.

The sound thats audible within the cabin is very quiet and most people wouldnt even notice it! Its just like a constant faint ticking that doesnt seem to speed up in relation to engine speed but does only become audible at around 3k rpm

You know what, Im gonna check out when the next meet is and get someone to listen to it - probably mechanical paranoia as I said before

[Davenotouring]

As Simon said.....does it change speed with the revs?

[willow]

Does the clicking/tapping change with engine speed??

If this is the case, what does it indicate?

[Simon]

Does the clicking/tapping change with engine speed??

If this is the case, what does it indicate?

Cam or tappet wear.

[Davenotouring]

It just means that it's engine related i.e. tappets/valvegear/injectors/big end(slower ticking)

If it changed with road speed, you'd be looking at things like gearbox/prop/diff/driveshafts

Just trying to narrow down the problem area.

[minime1275]

Fookin 'el! By the time Ive typed my reply (one fingered!) anout 10 of you have also posted. Thanks for the prompt replies.

As I said, the noise isnt that bad - lifting the bonnet with it ticking over makes it quite audible.

The sound thats audible within the cabin is very quiet and most people wouldnt even notice it! Its just like a constant faint ticking that doesnt seem to speed up in relation to engine speed but does only become audible at around 3k rpm

You know what, Im gonna check out when the next meet is and get someone to listen to it - probably mechanical paranoia as I said before

[johnono]

on the same subject (almost ) when i stand beside the car i can hear a fairly loud ticking. could it be the injectors again or is it an exhaust manifold thing, as i recon its too loud from under neath in the middle of the car

i have a loud pot on mine so i cant really hear anything unless i get under it whe its runnin and then i doesnt sound that bad

oddness really

[Davenotouring]

You know what, Im gonna check out when the next meet is and get someone to listen to it - probably mechanical paranoia as I said before

A very good idea! And it's quite likely mechanical paranoia, but most of us here probably suffer from that at times, I definately do!

Johnono, shame you can't just pop over to a meet.

The injectors make a plasticy ticking type noise, hard to decribe. Record a sound clip if poss!?

[willow]

I do suffer mechanical paranoia since owning a tempremental mini....

Minime, what Mini do you have?

I recently sold my my modded '99 cooper sport - 1380cc, Jenvey throttle body, Omex mapable ECU, straight cut box, hi-los, kad 4 pot calipers....was the muts nuts, mad handling but just no longer practicle....between nightmare cold starts and the constant need for ear plugs...I returned to E30ness
BTW, I had all my work done at Minispeed (bunch of Muppets....) steer clear of them!

[minime1275]

abc

[Andy335Touring]

on the same subject (almost ) when i stand beside the car i can hear a fairly loud ticking. could it be the injectors again or is it an exhaust manifold thing, as i recon its too loud from under neath in the middle of the car

If the noise starts getting quiter(from a stone cold engine)as the car warms up i'd take a closer at the exhaust manifold gasket.

[minime1275]

The injectors make a plasticy ticking type noise, hard to decribe. Record a sound clip if poss!?

Lol, a plasticy ticking?! Your right, noises are very hard to describe on a forum.

I do suffer mechanical paranoia since owning a tempremental mini....

Minime, what Mini do you have?

I recently sold my my modded '99 cooper sport - 1380cc, Jenvey throttle body, Omex mapable ECU, straight cut box, hi-los, kad 4 pot calipers....was the muts nuts, mad handling but just no longer practicle....between nightmare cold starts and the constant need for ear plugs...I returned to E30ness
BTW, I had all my work done at Minispeed (bunch of Muppets....) steer clear of them!

Nothing quite as refined or impressive as yours, Im afraid! Just a '93 mayfair 1275 with K&N, centre exit Maniflow system, one bucket seat and no other interior trim or sound proofing (i went for a low cost improvement in power/weight ratio). You say you needed ear plugs! Since exhaust manifold got noisy and it started running on 3 cylinders (despite loads of attempts to cure it) I bought my 320 on ebay for Ԛ£300.

[minime1275]

on the same subject (almost ) when i stand beside the car i can hear a fairly loud ticking. could it be the injectors again or is it an exhaust manifold thing, as i recon its too loud from under neath in the middle of the car

If the noise starts getting quiter(from a stone cold engine)as the car warms up i'd take a closer at the exhaust manifold gasket.

Or louder when under load?

[willow]

Nothing quite as refined or impressive as yours, Im afraid!

Trust me after 9 months of 90 mile per day commuting in it - I found it neither refined or impressive!!!

Cool cars, but weekend cars really.....my boyfriend's brother has it now.

Well done getting your E30 off ebay, sounds like a bargain

[Andy335Touring]

Start it up from cold and leave it ticking over,you should be able to notice it getting quieter in side of two minuets.

[Davenotouring]

Louder under load does sound like exhaust manifold.....

[minime1275]

Start it up from cold and leave it ticking over,you should be able to notice it getting quieter in side of two minuets.

Nah, i think it probably is just the injectors clicking. But then theres the running on 4 or 5 cylinders for the first 10 seconds when starting from cold.

Feck it, im gonna try and just enjoy my super-expensive Ԛ£300 ebay Bimmer

[Simon]

Louder under load does sound like exhaust manifold.....

Mine's still doing this, it's one of those jobs I've been meaning to do....I'm putting it off until I can throw another engine in there

[Davenotouring]

Feck it, im gonna try and just enjoy my super-expensive Ԛ£300 ebay Bimmer

That's the spirit!!

[minime1275]

And when i said "Louder under load", I was making a suggestion to Johnono.

[Davenotouring]

Louder under load does sound like exhaust manifold.....

Mine's still doing this, it's one of those jobs I've been meaning to do....I'm putting it off until I can throw another engine in there

That's what I was doing!

The 2.5 I put in then died.

To fix the 2.5, I'm putting a 3.5 in!

[willow]

The 2.5 I put in then died.

To fix the 2.5, I'm putting a 3.5 in!

Sounds like a plan Dave

[deano325t]

If you get it up to 3000 revs on the road in gear ..then take your foot off
the accelerator the injectors should close (your econometer should swing right over )..they kick back in at about 1200 i think (providing your TPS is adjusted and working properly)

Dean

[minime1275]

If you get it up to 3000 revs on the road in gear ..then take your foot off
the accelerator the injectors should close (your econometer should swing right over )..they kick back in at about 1200 i think (providing your TPS is adjusted and working properly)

Dean

The econometer works and swings back when i lift off - will check if clicking goes when i lift off

[Turbo-Brown]

Ha haaaa!

Just to put the fear of god into you, my Ԛ£275 325i started making a light ticking sound similar to the piezo ignition things on gas hobs.

I put it down either to a buggered ignition lead or out of adjustment tappets.

Next thing I know, it's making a sound like a diesel powered cement mixer

[Davenotouring]

Mr Brown, any ideas what it was in the end?

[johnono]

it does get louder under load a little, but off throttle it almost disapears so thats why i think its fuel related, but..... if i pass between two buildings on a narrow street ( alley style ) i can hear tapping quite loudly in the echo

but the noise from under is more like a forced blowing as well as a tapping sound so i think it is a manifold prob.... also coz ive hit the mid box on this pissin doorstop at our building like 10 times

the first time was a doozy

Davo my man, as much as i want to bring the car over to england for a holiday, its unlikely dude but never say never

[Davenotouring]

Be cool if you could drive over for one of the big Summer shows....!!

Where exactly are you based?

How's the weather!?

[johnono]

middle of denmark dude let me get a map

[johnono]

ok, if you see "esbjerg" im under the E in the middle
so to take a ferry from Esbjerg to Harwich is about 1 1/2 days

Weather is getting better but it was seriously cold with snow every where

[Davenotouring]

Wow!

Quite a trek then, but it's not mostly driving, it's mostly ferry, so you could relax!

[johnono]

yea suppose mabey convince the missus to come and visit some of the wonderful "parks and wildlife" of the Lakeside district or get a munch at AcesԚ´cafe

wouldnt be a bad idea