help me figure out this scary rattle

[JMAL]

just picked up my first e30, m20 325i. So between idle and 2k rpm there is a pretty scary rattle. I cant tell if its from a pulley or the head. the motor should have about 110k on it. I plan on doing t belt, v belts, water pump, thermostat, tensioner

As you can hear in the video, it its intermittent at idle, and very loud at 1500-2000 rpm. help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1mYFF3dM1Q

[dnguyen1963]

Do a valve adjustment first then the rest of your list of things to do.

[mgromero]

subscribed for info!

[CHIF8008]

im thinking a rocker, or part of the adjustment lobe over a valve.

just remove the valve cover and take a quick look. grab the rockers and physically rock them to see if you can see any excessive movement. a little is okay, but it should not be clacking around.


a good visually inspection really helps

[JMAL]

im thinking a rocker, or part of the adjustment lobe over a valve.

just remove the valve cover and take a quick look. grab the rockers and physically rock them to see if you can see any excessive movement. a little is okay, but it should not be clacking around.


a good visually inspection really helps

Im going to pull the valve cover at some point this week. any other things i can look for while im in there? Im going to go the valve adjustment and new vcg since im going in anyway. is it true that the m20 does not have a cam bearing?

[JMAL]

ok so i did a valve adjustment, there was no excess play in any rocker, cam lobes were silky smooth, head was pretty clean, I replaced my valve cover gasket and cam guide plugs.

But, that noise is still there. got no better, no worse....

now what?

[StereoInstaller1]

I would begin by removing the fan and all belts (except timing, of course) and try it then.

It really doesn't sound like a wrist pin or rod bearing to me...almost sounds like a really bad fan clutch or possibly alternator.

Get those belts off, see if that noise goes away.

GL!
Luke

[campbellj25]

I would begin by removing the fan and all belts (except timing, of course) and try it then.

It really doesn't sound like a wrist pin or rod bearing to me...almost sounds like a really bad fan clutch or possibly alternator.

Get those belts off, see if that noise goes away.

GL!
Luke

This. And if the noise goes away, reinstall one belt at a time to see what brings the noise back to pin point it.

[MrSlacker]

Is it possible for the water pump to make this noise?

[JMAL]

Is it possible for the water pump to make this noise?

I hope so, you guys pulled the other belts and it was still there. Once those parts come in, we will find out. I was just thinking, what about the oil pump or rod bearings? I meant to has Denis what he heard with the stick.

[JMAL]

It was the water pump. Thanks for the help