Valves noisyer after being adjusted

[e30ebro]

i did my first valve job on the e30 today, and before i had even started the depth size that it was supposed to be set didn't even fit in with my feeler guage that it was suppose to be. i let the engine sit over night so i the settings were to be 0.25mm (0.010in) cold but now after i adjusted each valve for each cylinder the dang valves sound louder that before and yes i did each cylinder when it was on the compression stroke. whats the deal i even double checked the valve clearance could this be from the motor never having a valve adjustment and it having over 200k on it. i didnt mind the semi noisy sewing machine but now its way bad.

[DCColegrove]

Adjusting the valves on an m20 is kind of an art.

This is the way to do it if you haven't done a thousand or more yet:

Use an .011

Put the feeler gauge between the eccentric and the valve stem tip...

Roll the eccentric just to the point where the gauge won't slip out.

Tighten the eccentric lock nut.

Also: the eccentrics may have flat spots worn into them, roll them all the way over to see... Replace them if they are very worn.

[StereoInstaller1]

The tip of the valve was so worn on mine that the feeler gauge would make an artificial measurement, since the eccentric fits down in the valve tip, not sitting on top as it should.

Yes, that means my motor is worn the hell out.

I adjusted mine by hand after running the motor with the valve cover off (messy!) and now it is quiet, but replacement of the whole damn motor is eminent.

[e30ebro]

ok that makes alot more sense now, i suppose ill just play with them by sound wise and slowly tighten them up.

[e30ebro]

when i went to double check my work i learned that the clearance was a little too loose so i must of not held the wire tight enough when i went to tighten the lock nut it must of slipped so now when i re did my work the car sounds quieter than the first time im just not sure what a good running m20 should actually sound like but acceleration wise and running wise it all good so far. now i just need to figure out what a good idle speed is.

[Atreus]

750 rpm or so. mine sits at 800

[e30ebro]

750 rpm or so. mine sits at 800

thank you, ive been playing with the idle control valve so many times but after i cleaned everything it seemed to settle down right under a 1000 rpm.

[Knockenwelle]

Dunno what version of M20 you have, but for Motronic 1.3 motors, idle is supposed to be 760 RPM, +/- 40. If it's just under 1000, you may have a faulty/dirty IAC or a vacuum leak.

[e30ebro]

Dunno what version of M20 you have, but for Motronic 1.3 motors, idle is supposed to be 760 RPM, +/- 40. If it's just under 1000, you may have a faulty/dirty IAC or a vacuum leak.

all i know is that its 85 eta but i think maybe the IAC is faulty but i have cleaned it.