Valve Cover off - No Start

[Disco Benny]

Hey guys so I wanted to see where my ticking noise is coming from (Valves or lifters) and I took the valve cover off to inspect.

I tried starting the car and it is NO BUENO, cranks but dies with .69 seconds. Now I am way NEW to the E30 scene so I am asking if these babies get finnicky (vacuum wise) WRT to taking the valve cover off?

If not then I am wondering if I am stumbling onto a bigger issue...on

[slammin.e28]

You need a valve adjustment.

These cars don't like vacuum leaks.

Adjust the valves and drive car. Ticking is a part of e30, without it, e30 is no e30.

[alB5]

Ticking is a part of e30, without it, e30 is no e30.

It's practically a ticking time bomb.

[Disco Benny]

Haha, a ticking time bomb...nice

So they should be able to run with the valve cover off right?

[RickSloan]

wait... you are trying to run it with teh valve cover completely off??? e30's have trouble running if the oil cap is off...

[Unearth078]

wait... you are trying to run it with teh valve cover completely off??? e30's have trouble running if the oil cap is off...

qft..... now sell your car too someone whos not you.

[Disco Benny]

Haha, a ticking time bomb...nice

So they should be able to run with the valve cover off right?

[Disco Benny]

Valve cover off in the parking lot smart guys...sweet lord there must be some characters on here haha

[Disco Benny]

Now I imagine valve adjustments are done with car off and not done the 'classic' way of the having the engine running correct?

On corvairs this was valve adjustment 101 but I'm not on a Corvair so I'm trying to just better understand my vehicle haha

[RickSloan]

yes you are character if you think its going to run any more then a few seconds with no valve cover...

[Disco Benny]

Now I imagine valve adjustments are done with car off/warm and not done the 'classic' way of the having the engine running correct?

On corvairs this was valve adjustment 101 but I'm not on a Corvair so I'm trying to just better understand my vehicle haha

[KenC]

You need to unplug the AFM to run the car w/o the valve cover on. Running it that way is a good way to check clearances.

[Disco Benny]

KenC...Cheers brotha, thank you for clear input!

Glad to be here and welcoming the solid advice

[chrisesteschiro]

Now I imagine valve adjustments are done with car off/warm and not done the 'classic' way of the having the engine running correct?

On corvairs this was valve adjustment 101 but I'm not on a Corvair so I'm trying to just better understand my vehicle haha

No you do it the classic way with the car hot and running:D

[Mlarsen]

WTF is going on here?