NorCal Chat Thread

[cyberkaa]

Good to note. Never did a valve adjustment on an M20 or a BMW for that mater? Pretty straight forward? I have done valve adjustments before on other motors. What are the stock hot and cold motor clearances if anyone knows and maximum clearance?

Very easy if you've done it on other motors. You just need to loosen a 10mm nut for each rocker and adjust the eccentric to spec.

DIY:

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

Just don't expect it to quiet down completely. M20s are a little tappy by design. ;)

You should also make sure the oil spray bar is working correctly. You'll see it with the valve cover removed.

[HR2L]

if you can hear your valves, you need a valve adjustment. oil only patches the issue.

Good to note. Never did a valve adjustment on an M20 or a BMW for that mater? Pretty straight forward? I have done valve adjustments before on other motors. What are the stock hot and cold motor clearances if anyone knows and maximum clearance?

[Cabriolet]

Took the plunge and decided to pick up some Valvoline VR1 20w50. Hope my valvetrain likes it a bit better then alternatives. Picked up a Bosch oil filter as well (no Fram, or K&N shit...). Hopefully it not only helps quite down the valvetrain as well as help with keeping my motor running strong. :)

if you can hear your valves, you need a valve adjustment. oil only patches the issue.

[HR2L]

Took the plunge and decided to pick up some Valvoline VR1 20w50. Hope my valvetrain likes it a bit better then alternatives. Picked up a Bosch oil filter as well (no Fram, or K&N shit...). Hopefully it not only helps quite down the valvetrain as well as help with keeping my motor running strong. :)

[cyberkaa]

man how the hell does an e46 with the same liter engine end up eating 7 to 8 quartz of oil.. gotta love e30's bmw without the high cost of maintenance

24v DOHC head, VANOS, oil squirters, etc. It adds up. :/

[bmwstephen]

man how the hell does an e46 with the same liter engine end up eating 7 to 8 quartz of oil.. gotta love e30's bmw without the high cost of maintenance

[HR2L]

Yep, roughly 4.5 with filter change.

Thanks! :D

[cyberkaa]

One more stupid question, I don't have the service manual but am I correct that the m20 2.5L I6 in the 325i requires 4.5 quarts of oil? Im going to try the Valvoline Non-Syn VR1 in the 20w50. Seems like it has the highest zinc/phosphorus for anti-wear protection, for our flat tappet application.

Just wanted to concur this with you guys?

Yep, roughly 4.5 with filter change.

[HR2L]

One more stupid question, I don't have the service manual but am I correct that the m20 2.5L I6 in the 325i requires 4.5 quarts of oil? Im going to try the Valvoline Non-Syn VR1 in the 20w50. Seems like it has the highest zinc/phosphorus for anti-wear protection, for our flat tappet application.

Just wanted to concur this with you guys?

[joonsup]

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

get the oil at walmart. they sell it in those big jugs

[cyberkaa]

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

TBH, I haven't run the Valvoline myself, but I've gotten feedback from a few people that their motors seem to like it and the additive package is good. I regularly use Castrol GTX, which I know keeps my M20 smooth.

[HR2L]

Oh boy, you're opening a can of worms...:rofl:

Oil is a problem for M20s because our flat tappet cams like more ZDDP in the oil to prevent wear. Problem is that manufacturers have reduced it in many of their lines of oil. Also, too much is bad for O2 sensors and cats.

Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 is the one I meant specifically. Valvoline VR1 is another good one.

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

[cyberkaa]

Do you run fully synthetic, blend, or dino? Curious what you would recommend for a higher mileage motor?

Oh boy, you're opening a can of worms...:rofl:

Oil is a problem for M20s because our flat tappet cams like more ZDDP in the oil to prevent wear. Problem is that manufacturers have reduced it in many of their lines of oil. Also, too much is bad for O2 sensors and cats.

Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 is the one I meant specifically. Valvoline VR1 is another good one.

[accident]

I run Amsoil in everything lol

[HR2L]

I run Castrol 20w50. East to find and works well.

Do you run fully synthetic, blend, or dino? Curious what you would recommend for a higher mileage motor?