need help, knocking noise

[Rugbyfan]

never dropped the exhaust to peak into it huh? it's not going to be easy or a miracle to fix man...face the reality..start digging... :-)

I'm not quite sure I can get to the header bolts with the motor in the car. I'll have to take a closer look at that option tomorrow and see if it's possible.

[Mr.SWISS]

grind the pan?

What's your tranny setup clutch and fly starter?

[Rugbyfan]

What's your tranny setup clutch and fly starter?

Ahhh ok ok that's where I thought you were headed.

s52/ZF trans/threaded starter/6 puck UUC motorworks unsprung clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate.
All that isn't important as nothing was touched other than the starter. Before reinstallation we compared the old starter teeth to the new starter. They were the same.

[Mr.SWISS]

Ahhh ok ok that's where I thought you were headed.

s52/ZF trans/threaded starter/6 puck UUC motorworks unsprung clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate.
All that isn't important as nothing was touched other than the starter. Before reinstallation we compared the old starter teeth to the new starter. They were the same.

How did you deal with the brace for the oil pick up, did you remove it or bend it till it snapped, cut it with grinder?

There is something binding somewhere, and I doubt it's internal since you didn't re-time it or touch the clutch setup either. It is something you changed that is causing the issue promise. Did the trans go on smooth or any oddities worth mentioning during swap?

[Rugbyfan]

How did you deal with the brace for the oil pick up, did you remove it or bend it till it snapped, cut it with grinder?

There is something binding somewhere, and I doubt it's internal since you didn't re-time it or touch the clutch setup either. It is something you changed that is causing the issue promise. Did the trans go on smooth or any oddities worth mentioning during swap?

That's the thing. I bought the car swapped (I'm ok with working on the car, as I don't need it for work). The swap was done by Azvedo Motorsports in NJ and in the 3k miles or so that I've driven it, no issues, other than a finicky starter and a buzzing fuel pump.

[Mr.SWISS]

That's the thing. I bought the car swapped (I'm ok with working on the car, as I don't need it for work). The swap was done by Azvedo Motorsports in NJ and in the 3k miles or so that I've driven it, no issues, other than a finicky starter and a buzzing fuel pump.

Ohnoes..... I have trust issues with Yankees for a reason. :weak:

[Rugbyfan]

Ohnoes..... I have trust issues with Yankees for a reason. :weak:

The car's been swapped for 30k miles so I would imagine that anything directly related to the swap would've popped up by now.

[Mr.SWISS]

The car's been swapped for 30k miles so I would imagine that anything directly related to the swap would've popped up by now.

Have the oil blackstone analyzed for metal, if not drive it to Dave and leave it.

[Rugbyfan]

Have the oil blackstone analyzed for metal

I have a few blackstone kits on hand.

if not drive it to Dave and leave it.

Plan B or C.

[328ijunkie]

Lol

[Rugbyfan]

I'm going to get a hold of a leakdown tester and knock it out hopefully by this weekend. I would like to do as many diagnostics as possible to know what I'm working with. I do have someone on hand that will help with either the pulling the head, or if the leakdown test doesn't go so hot, replacing the motor. It's slow going, but again, I don't need the car for work

[Fusion]

Have you tried pressing the clutch while it's started? Just to see if anything changes.
Did you do the good ol screwdriver to ear "stethoscope" test to see if you could pinpoint the sound closer to a certain point?
Did it start doing this right after the starter replacement? Is there any chance maybe the starter pinion or something is sticking and the sound is coming from the starter itself?
Now that I looked at the videos again, the starter sound probably wouldn't be so noticable in the valve area.

[Rugbyfan]

Clutch in VS out has no change in sound at all
the car started fine after the starter replacement, it sounded fine, but was run on open headers (perhaps I couldn't hear, but I doubt it)
I used a piece of vacuum line like a "stethoscope" but couldn't pinpoint, I'll stop being a cheapass and get an actual stethoscope"
The sound is definitely coming from the head area.

[Fusion]

I don't hear much about single Vanos problems, but maybe a culprit?

[Rugbyfan]

Update 10/31/11

Found the culprit......Bent valve. This is sort of what I expected but didn't want to admit, and also what the experienced guys were pointing to all along. Anyway, a HUGE thanks to Dan (Hamlerda from Bimmerforums). After putting out an APB for local help he responded. I had the vehicle towed to his place on Sunday and in roughly 4 or 5 hours of working at a relaxed pace, the head was off. Using a stethoscope had lead me to believe it was cylinder number 4 on the exhaust side. Once the head was off, it was in fact cylinder number 4’s exhaust valve. It protruded just a hair when it should’ve been closed. No damage to piston. My thoughts: what could’ve caused this when the motor hasn’t gone over 4k rpm’s in the last 2k miles? Why now? Oh well, pics are below.
Can anyone recommend a good shop that will rebuild a head in the savannah area? Also, I’m trying to get a parts list going, what should I replace, “while I’m in there?”


***On a side note, get AAA with the 100 mile towing. I think it cost me $72 for a YEAR with 4 tows UP to 100 miles FREE.