valve noise?

[NoahsArcE30]

My '86 eta (204K miles) has been making a lot of valve noise and I am wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. I had the valves adjusted not too long ago and the ticking did not get better...maybe even a little louder. It's not as happy as it once was at WOT (low end torque feels fine but around 3K+ is not enjoyable like before). Here is a video of start-up, idle, and slight revs. I am also experiencing a problem that is almost exactly like the one that is described in the link below. the idling seems to get better then worse then better..

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88730&highlight=worn+cam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSUYVwBlPk

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I don't have a lot of $$ to throw at a mechanic to tell me what's wrong. Thanks

-Sam

[jlevie]

At that mileage ticking from the valves when correctly adjusted is probably the result of worn valve guides. Wear in the head tends to affect high rpm response more than low end which would be consistent with worn guides. A head refresh seems indicated.

[blocke]

At that mileage ticking from the valves when correctly adjusted is probably the result of worn valve guides. Wear in the head tends to affect high rpm response more than low end which would be consistent with worn guides. A head refresh seems indicated.

+1
My 325i has around 250k (odo broke in 07 at 205k). Sounds just barely quiter than that. Valve guides are most likely in need of replacement, but I'm just waiting till things really take a shit before I tear the head off the have it rebuilt.

[funcrew]

There's about 20 youtube videos (including mine) complaining about the unbelievable racket even after a valve adjustment. My assumption is that I didn't adjust them well enough.

[NoahsArcE30]

Just a couple weeks back I took her to Hortons German Auto Repair (the only local bmw guy in my college town) and he did the valve adjustment and replaced the head gasket. He mentioned to me that the cam lobes were wearing down, not too bad but noticeable. This isn't my regular mechanic but I didn't have time to go to Portland. I'm taking her into my usual guy next week so he can take a look at it. I'm a noob...does refreshing mean pulling the head completely? How much would a reasonable price be for this procedure?...Thanks to my father I think I don't have to fork over the $ for this visit.

I also just remembered that my car could have only sat for a few hours before the adjustment because I dropped it off in the morning and picked it up early afternoon. Is that enough time for the engine to cool in order to make the proper adjustment?

Again, thanks a lot for the advice.

[Monteblanco]

Valve ticking is normal on e30s when the valves are adjusted correctly

[stumble_t]

Put a long screwdriver on each of your Injectors and listen. I bet some of the "ticking" is coming from them as well. Old ones can clack pretty loud.