e30 M sounds like engine undergoing dry starts every so often

[ethirtydavid]

Castrol GTX 20w-50

Initially I thought it was an issue I noticed when parking on hills then recently it has happened a couple times while parked in my flat garage.
9/10 times it starts fine and no issues.

1/10 times it sounds like a dry start issue, somewhat loud and lasts for about 6-10 seconds (assuming this may have something to do with recirculating fresh oil to the cylinders).

Doing full oil change tomorrow to see if this changes symptoms, was curious if anyone here had heard of these issues with their engines- or if this could be something specific to s14.

I'll be running some tests this next few days, curious what ya guys think-
thanks

[Hey_You]

This used to happen to my m10 fairly frequent. Make sure you use a good filter to help reduce drainback.

[Todd Black 88]

Sounds like a tensioner failing, if you are still using the original style. It uses oil pressure to tension the rail on the timing chain and can take a few seconds to pump up enough to quiet the chain.

[reelizmpro]

Two things to make sure you have...proper oil level and good chain tensioner.

[ethirtydavid]

excellent, loving the feedback-
I will verify proper oil level and new fluids tomorrow and if issue persists I will move forward on replacing the chain tensioner.

[e30s50dan]

Two things to make sure you have...proper oil level and good chain tensioner.

^^^ this

[17sd]

chain tensioner

Should the tensioner be changed to the E36 unit?
Can anyone provide a part number for me?
Thanks.

[ethirtydavid]

Should the tensioner be changed to the E36 unit?
Can anyone provide a part number for me?
Thanks.

p/n 11 31 1 405 081

more info here for use of e36 M tensioner on s14:

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50433&highlight=s14+tensioner

[chucker]

Chain tensioner without a doubt. chucker

[e30s50dan]

I just installed a new 95m3 unit...very happy. No more diesel noise when started.:D

[ethirtydavid]

installed p/n 11 31 1 405 081, s50 tensioner.
chain tight, noise gone- issue solved.

[mikeedler]

also don't park the car with it in gear on a hill- it will stress the chain a bit. yep, changed my tensioner about 9 years ago, never heard that noise again!