Valve Adjustment HELP

[RCWells]

I know that somewhere at sometime someone has posted "how to" on valve adjustment. I can't seem to find it. I have a 90 325is (M20) that needs valves adjusted. Can someone give me a link to or post step by step info on how to? Thanks.

[grlaneriejr]

try this link:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E30-Valve_Adjust/E30-Valve_Adjust.htm

that should help you figure it out.

[RCWells]

try this link:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E30-Valve_Adjust/E30-Valve_Adjust.htm

that should help you figure it out.

Thank you.

[Sean]

Here's the thread I made quite a while ago:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1555&highlight=valve

And, the Pelican Parts how to was an awesome source. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them. ;)

Good luck.

[grlaneriejr]

your welcome

[Tangent]

Hmm, out of adjustment valves could cause a lousy idle couldn't they? My 88 325is has a pretty bad idle and I can hear some valvetrain clatter when the hood is open. I have no idea how much if any noise I'm supposed to be hearing from there though...

[AdamF 88iS]

There is supposed to be a bit of vavle noise on 325s, especially 'i' motor cars. If you dont hear them then you adjusted them too tight.

[nando]

they don't call it the sewing machine motor for nothing :)

[bmwannabe]

yeah that pelican article makes it look like cake, how much time we talkin about, and how much $ to get it done at a shop?

[nando]

you could finish in an hour, easily. the hardest part is rotating the engine, but it's not too bad. I don't think it's worth paying a shop to do (probably around $100), unless you're a complete mechanical moron.

[grlaneriejr]

I think it took me about 45 mins.

I rotated the engine by using a socket on the crank pulley nut and using a breaker bar. That idea of rolling the car seems to take too long for me.

[bmwannabe]

good call on the crank nut vs actually rolling the car. that doensnt sound too fun.

[Sean]

Something else you could have done, which is what I did, is turn one of my tires with the tranny in 5th gear.

Since I had no LSD, I could turn just one tire.

Something else you could do is turn over the engine using the starter, probably somehting I'll do next time.

And, yes, there should always be some valve clatter coming from the engine, it's normal.

[RCWells]

just a follow up note to say thanks for the help. I did the adjustment over the weekend and man what a difference. I opted to use the wrench on the crank nut method to turn the motor and it was not at all difficult with the spark plugs removed. A pretty easy job for the most part. Anyway, Thanks to everyone for the assistance.

[Sean]

just a follow up note to say thanks for the help. I did the adjustment over the weekend and man what a difference. I opted to use the wrench on the crank nut method to turn the motor and it was not at all difficult with the spark plugs removed. A pretty easy job for the most part. Anyway, Thanks to everyone for the assistance.

Good to hear it went smoothly! :D