Chain like ticking sound after rebuilt head installed

[amdspitfire]

I have a constant ticking sound, remindes me of a chain thats not oiled. The sound gets quicker when I rev the engine and is very evident and loud inside the car while driving.

I did adjust the valves after I installed the new head, but it could have been adjusted slightly too tight, is this the cause?

What else can I check?

[rs4pro3]

timing belt off a tooth? did you spin the engine over by hand multiple times after installing the head, to double check that both timing marks where still lined up?

[amdspitfire]

timing belt off a tooth? did you spin the engine over by hand multiple times after installing the head, to double check that both timing marks where still lined up?

yah, turned it around many times, marks always lined up well. Car runs with plenty of power, would it if it was off a tooth?

[Mr.sexymorningvoice]

hmm...what did you adjust your valves to? and was it hot or cold? wouldn't hold true to the "gets quiter at higher rpm" unless you dont notice it because the other noises...but seems as tho it is just cause you adjusted them...and they aren't necessarily lose...but lose enough to make noise

[amdspitfire]

hmm...what did you adjust your valves to? and was it hot or cold? wouldn't hold true to the "gets quiter at higher rpm" unless you dont notice it because the other noises...but seems as tho it is just cause you adjusted them...and they aren't necessarily lose...but lose enough to make noise

Engine was cold, this was a new head that I adjusted prior to ever running the engine. I adjusted it to .25mm, but there was noticeable pressure on the feeler gauge always when I pulled it out after tightening. Should I go back and readjust the valves?

[E30Classic]

Enough oil? Enough oil in your crankcase? Thick enough oil? Flush all your oil, fill up 5 quarts of 20w50, and see if it's still there. Should not be.

[Mr.sexymorningvoice]

well my book said to adjust them to 10 thousandths cold, and mine are just a little noisey, but idk, does it sound like it is coming from the head? and did it do it before? if it didn't do it befoire the headswap, most likely form you adjusting the valves. doesn't really sound like a big deal, iam pretty sure thay all sound like old sewing machines

[amdspitfire]

Enough oil? Enough oil in your crankcase? Thick enough oil? Flush all your oil, fill up 5 quarts of 20w50, and see if it's still there. Should not be.

10w30 filled it up just recently and it does have enough oil

well my book said to adjust them to 10 thousandths cold, and mine are just a little noisey, but idk, does it sound like it is coming from the head? and did it do it before? if it didn't do it befoire the headswap, most likely form you adjusting the valves. doesn't really sound like a big deal, iam pretty sure thay all sound like old sewing machines

it sounds more like its coming from under the intake manifold than the head, even though this doesn't make much sense. I bought the car non-running so I dont know, it really sounds like an old sewing machine in my opinion its too audible and can't be normal.

[shadow]

Ah, this is normal, the m20 was nicknamed the sewing machine engine for a reason. if it's ticking and running with tons of power, that's normal, and german. :)

find someone else with an e30 running in top condition some time. you'll hear it too. it's the clatter clatter clank clank you dont want to hear :)

[PeaveyBassist]

M20 has mechanical valves as you should already know. They will ALWAYS tick unless you set the valves too tight. If you set them too tight its possible to bend a valve once the car warms up though. If you want that engine, you kind of have to deal with the tick. If you hate it that much, swap in an m50.

[E30Classic]

10w30 filled it up just recently and it does have enough oil.

Use 20w50. I had a similar issue with Mobil1 10w30. It seems to be too thin for the crankcase to quiet down.

[jerkstore]

the fuel injectors can make a ticking sound.....at least thats what i have heard, nothing to worry about though