Two issues... please help!

[MaloventEvil]

Hello all, I purchased an e30 that has been on jackstands for a few months, and I just got it off. It has a new timing belt, all other belts, new alternator, and a new tstat, waterpump, hoses.

Two issues arose after I did an oil change, coolant flush, and started the car.. The first was that there seems to be some valve tick now where there wasn't before -- could this be due to the 20w50 synthetic oil I put in? Is it too thick (outside temps are between 52-80 degrees out this season).

The other issue is that the coolant temp gauge doesn't want to pass the 1/4 mark (it always sits just below it). If I turn the car off and heat soak sits in, the car gets up past that mark, but it never happens while it is running.

Please help!
-Aurash

[MaloventEvil]

oh, it is a '90 325i with ~ 140k miles if that helps.

[stumble_t]

valve adjustment?
20/50 should be good all year out here (correct me if i'm wrong, please) IDK about synth though. castrol has always served me well

[jlevie]

A valve adjustment would be the first step in eliminating the tick. I'd also suggest checking each of the injectors with an automotive stethoscope as they can be a source of a tick.

The temperature problem sounds like a bad thermostat or one rated too low (standard is an 80C unit). But the problem could also be a dying SI board or bad temp sensor. An independent measurement of engine temperature will quickly narrow the search area.

[sector6]

I run 20/50 mobil1 synth out here in MASS with no probs. Outdoor temps are in the 40/50 degree range atm.

Did you beat on it and then it started ticking?? :p
Mine ticks like a whore even though my valves are freshly and professionally adjusted but it's still worth doing (runs better). Give it a shot.

[MaloventEvil]

i forgot to mention that there was a valve adjustment done too... it made no difference in the ticking.

[MaloventEvil]

A valve adjustment would be the first step in eliminating the tick. I'd also suggest checking each of the injectors with an automotive stethoscope as they can be a source of a tick.

The temperature problem sounds like a bad thermostat or one rated too low (standard is an 80C unit). But the problem could also be a dying SI board or bad temp sensor. An independent measurement of engine temperature will quickly narrow the search area.

Is the temp sensor the one that plugs into the radiator? If so, I swapped that too.

What is an SI board?

could it be the spark plugs? i haven't swapped those yet.

[jlevie]

The temperature sensor of interest is in the thermostat housing.

The SI board is in the instrument cluster.

Bad plugs can cause misfires, but not the sounds you mentioned.

[MaloventEvil]

A valve adjustment would be the first step in eliminating the tick. I'd also suggest checking each of the injectors with an automotive stethoscope as they can be a source of a tick.

The temperature problem sounds like a bad thermostat or one rated too low (standard is an 80C unit). But the problem could also be a dying SI board or bad temp sensor. An independent measurement of engine temperature will quickly narrow the search area.

You were correct -- i had ordered the 71 degree thermostat! ordering an 80deg one today!

one problem down, one to go :)