Is the M42 F****d? FML

[fiftytakedowns]

Comin back from I-80
My car is starting to make some funky ass noise from the engine bay.

I pull over to a gas station, and I hear waht Resembles rod knock, but it is not so harsh. at Higher RPMS it is almost faint. Anyway, IDling it was making the noise, and I realized Im FUCKED if I get it towed, so I drive the 2 miles up the freeway to davis, and im trying not to freak out from the noise.

anyway, I pull into the parking lot, and it nearly goes away. I couldnt distinguish it from the top or bottom of the engine. but I took an audio file, If you can ignore the very loud rattling of the aluminum flywheel than you might be able to hear it.

If anyone has an Idea what It is, or should I start hunting for a new m42 for when I can finally afford to buy one.

To understand the urgency, I have a job in marin, that I have to commute to on thursday through Monday. and Im nearly done with the 2002, Im just assembling it.

Link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11819570/Memo.m4a

wht would be the minimum I could pick up a m42 longblock for?



EDIT:

NEw findings:

here's how it sounds :(

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11819570/blwon%20engine%201.m4a

here's what I found:











I dont know what that little thing is, but It was floating around once I pulled the valve cover

[Kershaw]

oh that sounds so bad.

it going away at higher rpms makes me think it might be compression related.

[fiftytakedowns]

the oil showed no signs of coolant.

Im hoping i can baby it 70 miles back to the shop I do my mechanical work at but

best case scenario Im thinkin it's a lifter that lost some oil pressure.

[ZM Blue Devil]

That sounds bad something not in place, what's the maintenance history on it?

I have a running m42 I'm taking out of Roxy. If you don't find one local let me know.

[fiftytakedowns]

I'll have to dig up the maintenance history on it, Not sure where it all went...hopefully it didnt get lost in the foreclosure... Times have been tough (for everyone right?)

last oil change was synthetic, Last thing I did was a clutch and flywheel in that car, as well as get it smogged, (which it passed with ease)

[fiftytakedowns]

let me clarify in that sound clip that LOUD LOUD knocking is the aluminum flywheel the knockign otherwise is really faint. As well as the pulsating idle GUHH I hate it.

[accident]

chain tensioner?

[fiftytakedowns]

chain tensioner?

Ohh god I hope so,

dont want to waste 40$ to find out though.

[CorvallisBMW]

$40 tensioner < $400 engine

Pull the valve cover, have a look around.

[fiftytakedowns]

Ill try to get on that today, If I dont freeze to death.

[fiftytakedowns]

JUST edited ORIGINAL POST with NEW findings.

[KenC]

You need to pull both timing covers and inspect for damage. That piece is supposed to be held down with a screw on one of the chain guides.

[fiftytakedowns]

MOst of the tools I have are back in San Rafael, I only have a basic set here. most arrows are pointing towards a R & R of the engine.

[Jean]

sucks

[hyperE30]

SAme shit happened to mine like a month ago and haven't got to it but the thing made a noise like a TDI... I was freaking out specially when driving to school.. I even drove the car back home like that, no loss of power, no coolant on oil, car sounds good and runs fine but sounds like we have the same problem except I didn't have a floaty inside my cover.. this weekend will be checking the timing tensioner and chain... good luck with your car hope is not the engine!!!!!!