Valve Adjustment???

[1990e30coupe]

I have a 1987 325e 2 Door 5 speed. I am going to adjust the valves and this will be my first ever experience in doing so.
Question #1: What does overlap mean?
Question #2: What order do you usually adjust them in because the book I
have doesn't specify clearly?
Question #3: 0.010 for intake and exhaust is what the Chilton's says, Right?
Also maybe someone knows a better way of adjustment?
Can anyone on here give me a link to buy a Bentley manual because after 4
E30's I still don't have one and I should?

[Dakotademon7]

I'm just going to put it in simple terms. Over lap is the degree of cam rotation that keep the intake and exhaust calves in a single cylinder open at the same time. You really don't have to adjust them in any order but I do mine in order of cylinder 1-2-3-4 just I'm not jumping around and forget what ones I did if I have to walk away from the job for a minute. The clearence spec you posted is correct for a dead cold engine. Using the rap gauges with the 45 degree tips makes it easier.

[EyExR]

Also - use the special tool to hold the eccentrics down whle you tighten the nut. The tool has a spring in it so you get the correct resistance...

[my_bmw_sucks]

I find it easy to adjust the valves in order of firing sequence 1-5-3-6-2-4. Just put 1 at TDC and adjust. Then you only have to rotate the crank a few degrees to have 5 come to TDC and so on and so forth for the other cylinders. If you do it in order of 1-2-3-4-5-6 you'll have to unnecessarily rotate the crank to get tension off the valves. Also, a small allen key works well to rotate the valve adjustment eccentric.

[1990e30coupe]

Thanks!!! 1 More Question ???

Thanks guys!
Info Is helpful, but can I just adjust them all while each one is at TDC or do I have to focus on overlap also?
Don't mean to sound like I don't know anything but I just replaced every seal and gasket, hoses, some sensors, and all new fluids and don't want to mess anything up. That and I want it dead on or close to for having 200k.

Also for some reason my exhaust Is heating up like crazy my fuel consumption is through the roof, but not on the hwy. I figure it might be the valves are off, but we will see after I get them adjusted. Any info on troubleshooting this problem would be helpful?

[my_bmw_sucks]

Just focus on adjusting both valves while they are closed. Meaning they are not being pushed on by a cam lobe.

Dakotademon7 referenced valve overlap. It's not something you can change. It is the amount of time that the cam allows either the intake/exhaust valve to stay open after the intake/exhaust stroke into the compression/intake stroke. Both the intake and exhaust have inertia and allowing the valves to stay open longer than their respective stroke can increase the intake charge or the scavenging ability while exhausting. Also, by allowing the exhaust valve to stay open while the intake valve is also open helps pull intake charge into the cylinder. Basically, don't worry about the overlap while adjusting your valves.

Can't help you on the overly hot exhaust. Maybe a blocked cat? Not really sure.

[jswest69]

Probably a bad cat on the overheat. Manifolds white?

[1990e30coupe]

Just focus on adjusting both valves while they are closed. Meaning they are not being pushed on by a cam lobe.

Dakotademon7 referenced valve overlap. It's not something you can change. It is the amount of time that the cam allows either the intake/exhaust valve to stay open after the intake/exhaust stroke into the compression/intake stroke. Both the intake and exhaust have inertia and allowing the valves to stay open longer than their respective stroke can increase the intake charge or the scavenging ability while exhausting. Also, by allowing the exhaust valve to stay open while the intake valve is also open helps pull intake charge into the cylinder. Basically, don't worry about the overlap while adjusting your valves.

Can't help you on the overly hot exhaust. Maybe a blocked cat? Not really sure.

Awesome man thanks. I appreciate the info!

[1990e30coupe]

Probably a bad cat on the overheat. Manifolds white?

They were painted by the previous owner, but the paint is peeling which tells me they are heating up. Haven't really noticed color change just smell! I think it is the cat. From what I was told is that the car shouldn't have one but it was bought in Portland, Oregon and ended up in King county Washington; therefore, it had to go through emissions. So I am working on getting it removed, but from what I think there should have never been one on it Right?

[efficient]

painting the headers with high temp paint will eventually come off unless its been done professionally.

[Jaxx_]

They were painted by the previous owner, but the paint is peeling which tells me they are heating up. Haven't really noticed color change just smell! I think it is the cat. From what I was told is that the car shouldn't have one but it was bought in Portland, Oregon and ended up in King county Washington; therefore, it had to go through emissions. So I am working on getting it removed, but from what I think there should have never been one on it Right?

does it smell like rotten eggs?

[BenDem]

I just did mine for the first time, and used a little trick to help keep track of which cylinder I was working on. (I've got two young kids, so I can't do anything without being interrupted.)

When I pulled the plugs I arranged them in order inside the removed valve cover.

Once I completed adjusting a cylinder, I turned the corresponding spark plug 180 degrees. When I walked away and came back a 1/2 our later, I just glanced at the plugs and knew the ones that were 'upside down' were already adjusted.

Maybe I just needed to do this because I have the attention span of a newt.

[cabriodster87]

I use a paint stick to mark my place on the first round, then wipe marks off on the second round. I always double check.

[1990e30coupe]

does it smell like rotten eggs?

Not really, but I think I found the problem I am getting oil in my intake and I think its going down the exhaust. Its like the return oil from the head isn't going down the bitch tube. I got to figure it out anyways I don't want the cat on there anyhow, but did it come with a cat originally?

[1990e30coupe]

If I am getting oil in the intake then this means I have a bad intake gasket, right?
I replaced it; therefore, it must have not set right when I put it back together. Anyhow still haven't adjusted valves yet, waiting on a mechanic friend of mine with the right equipment. So ill start there and figure out why the intake is getting oil after.
Thanks for all the help
Rev!!