Are the bmw 325is engines supposed to have a light ticking sound?

[bmw_fan]

Hi, im interested in buying an 325is e30 And Ive seen a couple But they all sounded like they have a lifter tick But idk What the engine is supposed to sound like when its running right. please let me know.

[TheTacoMan]

Hi, im interested in buying an 325is e30 And Ive seen a couple But they all sounded like they have a lifter tick But idk What the engine is supposed to sound like when its running right. please let me know.

If its an m20, pretty normal. A video and Im sure someone on here could dissect if it is the normal m20 tick or not.

[Killacortes]

Light ticking is pretty normal. I run 20w50 oil to quiet it down

[bmw_fan]

Is it supposed to have a tick? Or is it just normal for a worn motor? Because I've seen the 318 with the m42 motor with a tick and a couple m20's with it, But I have a 533i e28 with the 3.2 And it doesn't tick. And I want the m20 I just dont wanna get ripped off..

[digger]

everything brand new and adjusted hot it is quiet but a bit of a tick is not a problem at all

[bmw_fan]

Don't you just have to Take the valve cover off And adjust the valves? (If there isn't any damage) And that will stop the tick? Or could it be another problem?

[Nisse Järnet]

Don't you just have to Take the valve cover off And adjust the valves? (If there isn't any damage) And that will stop the tick? Or could it be another problem?

It can be other problems like worn cam but often its just valve adjustment.

[EatsHondas]

High mileage motors will still tick even after a proper valve adjustment. It's the valve guides loosening up around the valve that cause the ticking. You'll either have to live with it or rebuild the head. Run 20w50 oil, adjust 'em, and forget 'em for another 15k.

[bmw_fan]

Ok How much would it cost to rebuild the head? Because the guy i might buy this car from said that it has a remanufactured head. And he says all e30s run with a slight tick, And its hard for me to to think thats true.

[Killacortes]

Like 80% of e30s will have a slight tick. Its true

[nando]

stock E30 injectors are also pretty loud

properly adjusted valves should tick a little at idle, but it shouldn't be loud or anything.

if it's a slight noise, it's probably normal.

[bmw_fan]

Thank you guys for the info. really helps alot. But now if I could just find a nice one i will be happy ha.

[NeedaE30]

Well the m20 sounds like a loud sewing machine... i've owned 3 m20's and every single one of them had loud mechanical valve lifters and loud as fuck injectors.. even when injectors are perfectly cleaned and flowing properly and valves adjusted to spec motor running beautifully still very ticky sewing machine sounding engine... just get a cone filter and a loud ass muffler if you dont like the tick, use thick oil.. or just swap in a 24v motor with hydraulic lifters.. sup to you

[bddog]

Nature of the beast. If they are not making a little noise, then they are adjusted too tight.

[1owNslo]

lol i believe one of the mods on here... his lil signature is ... "a tappy m20 is a happy m20" referring to valve noise. its normal.. mine has it.. BUT there is a difference between NORMAL and ABY-NORMAL ;)