Overheated, topped up coolant, now noisy valve

[jasonbk]

Hi folks,

Few hours ago I was driving uphill on my way home and my e30(316i m40) wouldn't rev over 2k and i felt it's losing power.

As I pulled over to the side street the car stalled, I tried to restart it - first time it died and second time I revved a bit but it started to overheat instantly so I turned it off.

I cooled down the engine and checked the coolant - the lever was so low I topped it up where it should be (I didn't check the coolant level for a long time).

Car would start, run but now the issue that I've had for couple months (loud/unhealthy tappet sound + oil warning light when the car is in idle or creeping in traffic - when I rev or get the car moving, sound would go away as well as the warning light) seems escalated.

Now whenever I rev it over 3k rpm, i hear unhealthy ticking - more like diesel - sound.

I searched and the worn tappets and/or worn camshaft comes up and it seems to fit into the most of symptoms except power loss and overheating.

Anyone who had experienced similar issue? or anyone can suggest what to look for? I hoped this little m40 would last for couple months until I start the swap..

[NeedaE30]

sounds like maybe poor maintenance has led to a possible blown head gasket to me.. are you blowing smoke out of your tailpipe? have you checked your oil?

[jasonbk]

sounds like maybe poor maintenance has led to a possible blown head gasket to me.. are you blowing smoke out of your tailpipe? have you checked your oil?

Oil level was always normal as I check it every week - There's no leakage or white smoke. Before I top up the coolant I checked if there's any sludge or oil in it but it was clean.

[TobyB]

If it really did overheat badly, then you might be looking at either piston slap
or rod bearings, or both. Both are reason to get an M20 or M50... sorry.

AN oil pressure gauge would tell you more.

Have you tried changing the oil? Lashing the valves?

sorry

t