m20 valve tick

[mod_junkie]

So my m20 ticks loud to me and is driving me nuts. a couple of r3v members told me it was normal but I dont know hahaha. Its unacceptable so how loud should the tick be if its normal?

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Do a valve adjustment and run 20w-50 that should help

[Mr. Tasty]

m20's are sewing machines bro

[mccor023]

So my m20 ticks loud to me and is driving me nuts. a couple of r3v members told me it was normal but I dont know hahaha. Its unacceptable so how loud should the tick be if its normal?

I feel your pain! After a few attempts myself at a valve adjustment I still wasn't happy with the tick. I ran the heavy oil that's been said and even took it to shop and paid a "professional" who is also an E30 guy.
I'm still can't believe the ticking I hear is normal and now I'm thinking of a rebuild or 24v swap.

[mod_junkie]

yea I guess I'm gonna have to a valve adjustment and some heavier weighted oil

[JinormusJ]

I had a HORRIBLE valve tick from unadjusted valves; I could hear it at low RPMs with the music blasting. Once I adjusted it, it was much quieter, but with silence inside, you can still faintly hear "valves" but you can't hear them very well until 3-4k RPMs

Valve tick is just an m20s business; adding heavier oil, despite popular belief, will do little to help. When your valves are adjusted well and everything is going smoothly, what you're really hearing is Injector whine, and also something that comes with m20 territory. Valve lash is only heard under load after 3k RPM, and even then, it shouldn't be terribly loud (faintly distinguishable over moderate volume music)

Sorry, but m20s are just loud. What your hearing is most likely how it's always been

[jlevie]

Valve tick isn't "just the way an M20 is". Incorrectly adjusted valve and/or too thin an oil will increase the noise level. But if the head is in good condition, the valves correctly adjusted, and the correct oil is used you should only hear a slight tick on a cold engine that almost completely disappears once the engine is at normal temperature. Worn valve guides will cause the valves to be noisy, regardless of adjustment or oil.

[mod_junkie]

so I've done a valve adjustment and oil change with heaver weighted oil and I see no change. It's just as loud as it was before... I'm at a loss at what to do now. I know everyone says its normal but I don't think it should be that loud at all.

[nickmcc92]

When a motor is 20+ year old wear happens. That's why some say its normal but a car doesn't come out of the factory ticking.
Adjust the valves to .008" not .010" (spec) and see how you like it

[ak-]

so I've done a valve adjustment and oil change with heaver weighted oil and I see no change. It's just as loud as it was before... I'm at a loss at what to do now. I know everyone says its normal but I don't think it should be that loud at all.

The head on your car is old.
Mine is old.
Everyone's is old, except for the select few who've done a complete rebuild.
Get a Mystery-e performance head/rebuild or #dealwithit :p


edit: what nickmcc said.

[MR 325]

Time to rebuild your head.

We can do stock too. Not going to throw a sales pitch at you but PM me if interested.

[dnguyen1963]

Pretty sure that you need to re-build the head, but just make sure that the noise is not coming from the injectors. They make ticking noise too.

[mod_junkie]

Pretty sure that you need to re-build the head, but just make sure that the noise is not coming from the injectors. They make ticking noise too.

but how loud of a ticking noise would they make?

[mod_junkie]

Here's what it sounds like after the valve adjustment and oil change..

http://youtu.be/PfrynU8chRw

[jlevie]

When that video was taken was the engine at normal operating temperature? If so, the valves are way too loud.