The Loud M20 Valve Train

[craiggroves91]

I've been wondering is it possible to get rid of the famous loud m20 valve train ticking?!
I know a valve adjustment can help.
I was thinking there is no way these cars sounded like that new
or did they?!

I would trip if I saw an m20 running without hearing that ticking.
It would be nice!
Please show me one.

I always thought a running m20 is a ticking m20.

[lolcantturn]

a ticking M20 is a happy M20 yes.
be proud, it's clapping at you.


But to answer your question, no you can't get rid of it, but thicker oil certainly helps. In addition to a nice valve adjustment, thicker oil made my M20 sound much healthier.

[craiggroves91]

a ticking M20 is a happy M20 yes.
be proud, it's clapping at you.


But to answer your question, no you can't get rid of it, but thicker oil certainly helps. In addition to a nice valve adjustment, thicker oil made my M20 sound much healthier.

Yeah I'm gonna do a valve adjustment ASAP
Im using 20w50 oil.
I've just been so curious how they sounded new.

[matias88e30]

Valve adjustment its a must in maintenance for the m20....

[travisn]

I've heard it's the injectors(?)

[LowR3V'in]

On m30s, most measure at the cam because the eccentric wears a groove in the valve over time.
Not sure if the m20 is physically big enough to get a feeler in there though.

My m30 has 0 click after doing it this way.
Only thing I hear clicking is injectors.

[Airplanecar8]

I dont think thats true.

with the right valve train our engines could sound pretty quiet. beehives anyone?

[browntown]

I have a blown headgasket, but not much valve tick at all.

[jlevie]

Noise from the valve train when the valves are correctly adjusted is usually a sign of worn valve guides. A bit of ticking from the valves when the engine is cold is normal, but if the head is in good condition and the valves properly adjusted that noise should go away once the engine warms up. The valves on an M20 or M30 engine should be adjusted every 15k.

Injectors can tick also and sound like valves. An automotive stethoscope will quickly tell if the ticking is from the injectors.

[imdashiz]

The injectors are actually pretty loud and most likely what you are hearing. The valves stop ticking as much when the car is warmed up.

[nando]

Noise from the valve train when the valves are correctly adjusted is usually a sign of worn valve guides. A bit of ticking from the valves when the engine is cold is normal, but if the head is in good condition and the valves properly adjusted that noise should go away once the engine warms up. The valves on an M20 or M30 engine should be adjusted every 15k.

Injectors can tick also and sound like valves. An automotive stethoscope will quickly tell if the ticking is from the injectors.

agreed. it shouldn't really be loud. At idle you can't really hear my valves at all. I think most people just have worn engines.

[Blendercloud]

I've just been wondering this myself. I just adjusted the valves on Friday and the car is loud as hell under load. Less of a valve tick and more of a valve rumble. I've begun wondering if I might be do for some rocker arms. Though if I do rocker arms I might as well rebuild the whole damned head.

I think I'll try stepping up to a thicker oil first. What oil do you guys run in your M20's?

[Stanley Rockefeller]

Castrol Hypuron 15w40 semi syn diesel oil...cheaper than full syn, and keeps my motor quiet!

[jlevie]

I've just been wondering this myself. I just adjusted the valves on Friday and the car is loud as hell under load. Less of a valve tick and more of a valve rumble. I've begun wondering if I might be do for some rocker arms. Though if I do rocker arms I might as well rebuild the whole damned head.

Valve noise is hardly ever load sensitive. But a bad bearing is load sensitive. Have a pro check out the car see what he/she thinks the source of the noise is.

[MTechnikII]

how loud is loud? the M20 engine is no way as quiet as a TOYOTA engine, I was told once by a BMW mechanic that the M20 valves should be adjusted to be a bit nioisy, quiet engine does not have correct valve adjustment.
and valve adjustment is critical for MPG.
Henry
Also heavyer oil makes the engine more quiet
I use 10w30 mobil 1 and it's noisy when I use 20w50 it becoms more quiet