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    Fluttering knock

    Hey guys,

    I picked up my '89 325is last summer for $1000. Had a blown head gasket and needed a ton of work which was not a biggie for me. I have a fantastic mechanic working with me along the way who gives me a great break on labor.

    My question is about a fluttery knock that happens mostly when the motor is cold. It is really noticeable when driving at higher RPM's. If I am at 3k in second gear it will start chattering. Change to 3rd and is subsides until I get the RPM's up again. Back off the gas a little--goes away. Hop on the gas--comes back again. I don't hear the sound when manually revving the throttle in neutral. I also can't hear it when the clutch is disengaged while driving the car. As the car warms up, the sound almost completely goes away. Since I am very familiar with this sound, I can tell that it is still present when the motor is warm so it really doesn't go away but it does quiet down considerably.

    I have read through all the descriptions in previous postings and can't find anything that describes this sound. It really doesn't sound like rod knock or anything fatal like that. This is more of a flutter than a knock. Like if the distributor cap was getting in the way of the fan blades.

    I got a call from my mechanic when he was reinstalling the rebuilt head and asked me if I wanted to replace the timing belt. He said that it looked really clean. I said no because the PO told me he had it replaced 5k before I bought it. Mechanic agreed.

    Since we've gotten this car back on the road, the sound has been persistent. I have replaced:

    Water Pump, PS Pump, Radiator, Thermo, ICV, All belts, All hoses, Alternator is clean-no noise, New Clutch kit, resurfaced flywheel, transmission seals, 2 valve adjustments also.

    My mechanic can't hear it because he has become hard of hearing unfortunately. Could it be a valve? Something having to do with the timing belt? Thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

    Adam

    #2
    Piston rings?

    also: always ALWAYS replace a timing belt when you remove it, even if it's only got a few thousand miles on it.

    Originally posted by ROLLingKING
    i have a bronzit and plan on making it look sweet.
    Originally posted by slammin.e28
    Moral of this story?

    If you drive your e30 on stairs, you're gonna have a bad time.

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      #3
      I asked about the piston rings and he said that they are in the clear. He had a look at that before we replaced the head. What about the timing belt tensioner? What could go wrong there? I don't know much about that part of the car. We are going to get in there in the next month or so and replace that belt. We shoulda just done it.. you are right on that.

      Comment


        #4
        Sounds like a "piston slap" to me... Is it worse if you lag it?

        How's oil's condition? Due for an oilchange?

        Comment


          #5
          what kind/weight of oil too?
          1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks for the responses.

            Using 20-50 synthetic blend right now because I couldn't find synthetic. I've had the car for 8 months and have changed the oil every 2500 miles. Did a Lubro Moly engine flush before last oil change.

            Also, the compression tested okay a few months ago. Can a piston knock or slap if the compression is fine in every cylinder?

            Comment


              #7
              I get the same knocking sound, at those Rpms and goes away when I brake or go into neutral. I guess 20yr old engines tend to do this

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                #8
                Originally posted by rj1790 View Post
                I get the same knocking sound, at those Rpms and goes away when I brake or go into neutral. I guess 20yr old engines tend to do this

                Does it go away for you after the car has warmed up? I'm thinking the same thing.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by aTron12 View Post
                  Does it go away for you after the car has warmed up? I'm thinking the same thing.
                  Nope, mines is constant. My mechanic took a look and found nothing. I'm guessing it could be due for a valve adjustment.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hey MXL556..I took it to a mechanic yesterday and he said that it could be a little piston slap. My advice was to use a really high quality oil and live with it until it gets worse. Sounds like an inevitable rebuild is in order.

                    His synthetic oil recommendations were Swepco, Royal Purple or Mobil 1. He mentioned that there was an additive in those oils that are not in conventional synthetics that gives the motor extra lubrication. I know these are pricey oils but they must be outstanding otherwise they wouldn't be charging top dollar. What are you guys using?

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