E30 Ticking

[Dzdimi14]

Ive heard that e30's are supposed to sound like sewing machines but I feel like my car is a little bit loud. I just did a valve adjustment and all of the old valves were way too tight. Heres a video of what my car sounds like:



Is this too loud or am I trippin because the valves were too tight before and thus quieter.

[Dzdimi14]

here is a link to the video in case it doesn't work in the original post

https://youtu.be/wDX27wNC0_k

[Cabriolet]

your valves are too loose.
.01" cold (meaning the engine needs to be below 90F)

[estoguy]

That doesn't sound right to me either. Let her sit overnight and check those clearances again. If you don't have them, I suggest the angled feeler gauges.

[Dzdimi14]

your valves are too loose.
.01" cold (meaning the engine needs to be below 90F)

That's what I set them to, I guess I just don't have the whole "slight drag" thing down. Is is possible that eccentrics are worn? I had that recommended to me by one other person.

[jlevie]

While the eccentrics could be worn, that in and of itself probably isn't going to cause excessive noise if the clearance is correct. A spring tool removes any subjective judgement as to the correct drag on the feeler gauge and it makes adjustments much easier.

That said, if the clearance is correct the next suspect is worn valve guides.

[Dzdimi14]

While the eccentrics could be worn, that in and of itself probably isn't going to cause excessive noise if the clearance is correct. A spring tool removes any subjective judgement as to the correct drag on the feeler gauge and it makes adjustments much easier.

That said, if the clearance is correct the next suspect is worn valve guides.

I may invest in a spring tool. Wow this project is taking way more time than I thought it would...

[Aikmanson]

Honestly, sounds similar to mine, although your idle seems to fluctuate. Adjust the valves again, but mine are perfectly in spec with a slight drag and still tap away. The motor runs fine otherwise, and sees 6k daily.

Valves guides are probably worn, but there are old SOHC engines, not much you can do without a head rebuild. How does it drive otherwise?

[Dzdimi14]

Honestly, sounds similar to mine, although your idle seems to fluctuate. Adjust the valves again, but mine are perfectly in spec with a slight drag and still tap away. The motor runs fine otherwise, and sees 6k daily.

Valves guides are probably worn, but there are old SOHC engines, not much you can do without a head rebuild. How does it drive otherwise?

It seems to be driving pretty well. Its a little bit hard to tell because I hadn't driven it for like 2 weeks before I took it for its initial run. I've had that Idle problem ever since I got the car, I still have yet to deal with it but its not terrible.

[cleanasse30]

What weight oil are you running? I've found that lighter weight oils will cause the valves to be louder

[Dzdimi14]

What weight oil are you running? I've found that lighter weight oils will cause the valves to be louder

I believe Im running 10w 40, Ill have to check though

[Shredwick]

Some of my valves are louder than others. I went to adjust my valves a couple weeks ago, only to find they were mostly still at 0.010"
I rocked all of them back and forth and two of my valves would make a much more metallic tick while the rest of them were relatively muffled, I've just learned to live with it