New 318is Owner

[red2.4srt]

How's it going guys? I just picked up a 91 318is back in November and it's been covered for most of the winter here in PA so I haven't had much of a chance to drive it. Now that it's getting nicer and i've been able to drive it a bit more, i've noticed it's making some noise that I thought at first was just peculiar to the car, but the more and more I research it, the more I think otherwise? I'll be uploading some videos shortly from my phone as i'm at work now, but looking at some other threads, it sounds like it could be the same issue as subi_life is having? I'm new to BMW's in general, coming from a Neon SRT-4 so any help is appreciated. I also wasn't aware you shouldn't depress the clutch on startup until reading his thread as well, not sure if that could play into it. A little background on the car as per the PO: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=338829

Thanks again for your help!


Todd

[red2.4srt]

Here's the videos:

http://s107.photobucket.com/user/superfastsrt/media/BMW%20318is/59DF33A9-C55A-4F99-BB05-87197328B6F5.mp4.html

http://s107.photobucket.com/user/superfastsrt/media/BMW%20318is/5ABA8182-0B68-4FC8-BC91-5EF6A10EB43C.mp4.html

http://s107.photobucket.com/user/superfastsrt/media/BMW%20318is/8E7109E1-1754-446F-AD48-262490ABA923.mp4.html

[roguetoaster]

Beyond the exhaust sounds I think I head timing chain rattle or slap.

Was the oil changed recently? If so the oil used may be a bit light. Also a good idea to double check the oil level.

Beyond that you should consider replacing the timing chain tensioner, but not before you take the valve cover off and inspect the cam gears. The gears should be flat on top, and not pointy. If pointy, you may want to service the entire timing system.

When you go to reinstall the valve cover be sure to not over tighten the bolts as they can strip easily.

[Gerta]

OP - If you don't have a Bentley Manual, then you should get one. The E30 manual does not cover the M42 engine (yes, you have to buy the E36 for that). There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here and on M42Club.com.

Welcome to the club ... I also have a DS 318is ... start a build thread and post up pictures!

Gerta

[subi_life]

That does sound like what my engine was sounding like. Is your oil light on? If not I would first replace the chain tensioner and try some thicker oil. Also maybe add some Lucas oil stabilizer.

[red2.4srt]

Beyond the exhaust sounds I think I head timing chain rattle or slap.

Was the oil changed recently? If so the oil used may be a bit light. Also a good idea to double check the oil level.

Beyond that you should consider replacing the timing chain tensioner, but not before you take the valve cover off and inspect the cam gears. The gears should be flat on top, and not pointy. If pointy, you may want to service the entire timing system.

When you go to reinstall the valve cover be sure to not over tighten the bolts as they can strip easily.

I'm going to start by changing the oil, ordered a Mahle filter today from Napa, should be in tomorrow. What weight and brand oil would you recommend? I saw 15w50 in another thread, seems like the M42 likes heavier oil than I'm used to (5w30 Mobil 1 Synthetic in the Neon). He said all the timing components were serviced around 15k ago, but said and were can sometimes be two different things as we all know. I always thought it was lifter noise or possibly injectors as my neon had a similar noise that was just the injectors. Thanks for the insight, looking into this some more tomorrow! Also, can the valve cover gasket be reused or is that someting I should just get and replace? Looks like its rubber perhaps?

OP - If you don't have a Bentley Manual, then you should get one. The E30 manual does not cover the M42 engine (yes, you have to buy the E36 for that). There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here and on M42Club.com.

Welcome to the club ... I also have a DS 318is ... start a build thread and post up pictures!

Gerta

I've been lurking on here even before I sold the neon, I've always loved the E30 chassis and have wanted one forever. I've learned a great deal and still am, plus you guys are much quicker to lend a hand to a newb than most, kudos to that!

Now that it's warmer here, I hope to get her out finally to enjoy her and get some good pictures finally. Thanks again!

That does sound like what my engine was sounding like. Is your oil light on? If not I would first replace the chain tensioner and try some thicker oil. Also maybe add some Lucas oil stabilizer.

No oil light, I thought the same thing after reading your thread, i'm going to do an oil change with some thicker weight oil and well see where that gets me. Chain tensioner doesn't seem too tough to tackle either if need be. I'm going to definitely inspect the cam gears as well. Thanks!

[roguetoaster]

I'm going to start by changing the oil, ordered a Mahle filter today from Napa, should be in tomorrow. What weight and brand oil would you recommend? I saw 15w50 in another thread, seems like the M42 likes heavier oil than I'm used to (5w30 Mobil 1 Synthetic in the Neon). He said all the timing components were serviced around 15k ago, but said and were can sometimes be two different things as we all know. I always thought it was lifter noise or possibly injectors as my neon had a similar noise that was just the injectors. Thanks for the insight, looking into this some more tomorrow! Also, can the valve cover gasket be reused or is that something I should just get and replace? Looks like its rubber perhaps?

15w-50 or 20w-50 should be fine, many people like Castrol Synthetics, but that's a whole other thread. The valve cover gasket can generally be reused unless it's broken or totally worn out.

Chain tensioner doesn't seem too tough to tackle either if need be. I'm going to definitely inspect the cam gears as well. Thanks!

Good to hear.

[DER E30]

Does it only make the noise when cold? Does it go away when the motor is warm?

[red2.4srt]

Does it only make the noise when cold? Does it go away when the motor is warm?

It does it no matter what temp, I'll be changing the oil in about an hour so we'll see where it stands after that!

[DER E30]

It does it no matter what temp, I'll be changing the oil in about an hour so we'll see where it stands after that!

Nice, Mine makes a similar noise when cold, but if I hold the idle at 1.2 to warm up it doesn't do it, so I believe it is oil pressure dependent... Think I need to do the timing guides at least.

[red2.4srt]

I just got back from the shop after spending all night working on this for the first time. Wow it feels good to get into it and actually see in person what i've been seeing in all these build threads and amazingly enough I stumbled my way through most of it unaided. I changed out the oil for Mobil 1 15w-50 full synthetic and a Mahle filter. Unfortunately, NAPA supplied me with a filter for God knows what, so for the temporary I put the old one back in and drove it 2 miles to my house where it'll sit til the new filter arrives. I started it up after changing the oil and I still have the same noise. I'm thinking my next course of action is going to be to pop the valve cover off, check the chain/gears and possibly replace the tensioner to see where that puts me. How do you feel about oil additives? I've never used them before and I think someone mentioned about using some, although I haven't the faintest idea where to begin on that. Right.

I did notice quite a bit more items on the car that were the "underwater part of the iceberg". I knew the car had some little things, I didn't anticipate a foglight being wire tied to the valence, the same solution used for the radiator shroud, a missing foglight gasket on one side and a missing cover and non working fog on the other. This next one is the most concerning, it looks as though the front sway bar isn't attached to the front subframe assembly at all, it's just flopping around in there??? There was a decent amount dirty grease built up on the bottom of the upper and lower oil pans and it looks like the lower pan was welded up after being scraped and eventually cracked from tagging. I took a bunch of pictures in the process and i'll be uploading them next, let me know if anything looks funny!

Thanks for your help thus far!

[roguetoaster]

I'd skip any oil additives. Not only do you probably not need them to fix the problem, but they probably don't do much.

It looks like you only have about $200 (beyond any timing expenses) to go to make it quite reasonable. Fortunately, every part you listed as a need is either available new or quite common used.

Remember, its a 25 year old car, so all of this is normal.

[red2.4srt]

Okay, phone pics are awful, but awfully convenient as well.





The car actually has a very nice DIY Stainless Skid plate, I'll need to weld the nuts up a little better to the subframe, they aren't in such great shape as is.

The next is what I'm a bit confused about. Shouldn't this be attached? It's not on either side...







Also noticed this interesting substance inside the filler cap. Never saw this before...

[shameson]

That substance is mayo/pudding ... It's a mixture of oil and coolant but it also can be caused by condensation under the valve cover (had this issue with my e39). I would first check to make sure there's no leak in the head gasket. Do you notice any white smoke when it runs or any coolant leaking from below the manifold? Also now that you've changed oil check the dipstick to see if any milky oil is there again after running. If there's not chances are its just moisture due to too many short trips. Go ahead and check under the valve cover too since you're doing that anyway.

[blizake500]

Not good