chatty valves

[rmousir]

My valve lifters are pretty chatty. The PO said he had them serviced so I am not sure I need to adjust them. Is there any additive I can add to the oil to quiet them down? Suggestions?

Thanks

[SpecM]

Maybe you should just check the lash anyay... what weight oil are you useing?

[rmousir]

10W30 and about 255000 miles. I should probably check the lash. never did that before. Any good how to articles on how to do that?

[Motorsports]

With the mileage i think you should use a higher grade of oil. Maybe a 15/40.

[SpecM]

With the mileage i think you should use a higher grade of oil. Maybe a 15/40.

agreed, maybe even 20w-50 if its not too cold where you live.

[euroshark]

I would recommend a good ZDDP additive for all of us old Bimmer drivers. It's not going to make your valves any quieter, but it will protect all metal on metal contact areas. M20s are naturally kinda clattery in the head so adjust your valves correctly and forget about it.

[e30frosh]

I would recommend a good ZDDP additive for all of us old Bimmer drivers. It's not going to make your valves any quieter, but it will protect all metal on metal contact areas. M20s are naturally kinda clattery in the head so adjust your valves correctly and forget about it.

What he said. Adjusted mine hot and cold. Same chatter.

[rmousir]

OK.. I will look at a higher grade of oil. I will also look into adjusting my valves. I am sure I have seen that in my BMW book.

[allwheeldrive]

When i changed my oil last week, i decided to try the Lucas oil stabilizer. It really did help quiet the valvetrain a decent amount. I was impressed. Some people claim mpg increases with it, but i have yet to go through a full tank. I'm using 10w-40 btw. Give it a shot.

[e34john]

I would recommend a good ZDDP additive for all of us old Bimmer drivers.

Any reccomendations on brands?

[euroshark]

"ZDDPlus" is pretty darn good I think.

[Number dude]

+1 on what everyone else said, but read about oil additives through a Google search. It's not recommended.

[regnu]

Well we can test the oil additives do damage myth or truth on my car. I used Lucas Oil stabilizer this last oil change. I have the Blackstone labs report for the oil I ran before this last oil change. I just need to get to the next oil change so I can send in another sample with the additive in it.

[euroshark]

+1 on what everyone else said, but read about oil additives through a Google search. It's not recommended.

ZDDP used to be in all oils (or most of them) until recently, so I don't consider it an additive. Think of it as a replacement for something that should be in the oil in the first place.

[SpecM]

Use an oil labled as "high mileage", they usually contain ZDDP/zinc

Castrol GTX 10w-40 HM or Rotella 15w-40 are my picks