Loud engine and ticking on M

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by Chee_Dog

Just replaced oem parts like cai, plugs, spark plugs, coils, belts.

I might check that the spark plug torque was correct. Then I would take off the valve cover to check for loose parts like spring clips and valve shims, and check timing chain tension.

Running the engine very much might not be wise with those sounds.

[Chee_Dog]

Originally Posted by GriffBrew

Not a "How-To", but just to point out there there are two different tensioners - one is simple and one a little more involved. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=31094

Honestly, it's hard to tell from sound clips and I'm not a veteran car guy (quickly learning). When I picked up my car last year, I assumed it was due for a valve adjustment. it was quite noisy "like a diesel", as it's often said. After adjustment, it sound totally different. Hard to say now, but yours sound like it could just be that simple - enough valves that need adjusting. I'd start there before spending a bunch of money on possible items - you know it needs that. Based on price and working with a trusted mechanic, you could determine if replacing anything else while it's opened is worthwhile (like the upper TCT).

I don't think you need body panels for a valve adjustment

shim kit is over 400 if that isn't costly enough lol but I will check the simple stuff like plugs and open head cover to check for loose items.

[bignosejim]

You don't need the entire shim kit, especially if your car isn't going anywhere for a while. All you need is a micrometer, offset thickness gauges, and the shim tool. Measure the shims, figure out what you need and order that from BMW. Maybe get a couple of extras. There are tons of shims you probably will never need in the kit. If you do some searching you can find the range that most people require and get those ahead of time. That's what I did. I had to order additional shims, cost some time without car , but saved some money also. Here is a thread I started about my valve adjustment.

[Caddyshk]

How would any of this have been damaged in an accident? Did you check to see if the passenger side motor mount had broken loose and dropped the engine? Makes one helluva a noise running afterward with the exhaust supporting the motor. Likely not the culprit but worth checking.

[Chee_Dog]

Front End Collison, while front and some motor parts were damaged, possibility of vano or exhaust vano tabs causing this noise?

[StickMon]

Definite possibility of a Vanos problem, from what I've heard of it compared to the noise my broken Vanos bolts made.
If it were me, I would immediately pull the head cover and see what's up.
It's not as hard as it looks. I've done it without replacing gaskets and grommets, with relatively new gaskets and grommets installed.
The worst it can do is dribble a little oil after you get it back together.

[Chee_Dog]

So since it's a Friday, got off work early and started to tear apart the head cover and guess what I found? 5 shim fell off, the vano tabs looks to be good and still in place. I'm hoping the fix would be to replace put the shim back on and do some valve adjustment.

[bignosejim]

Good find. Glad we have those oil drain guards.

Make sure all your spring clips fit tight to keep the cam followers in place. You can go ahead and measure clearances and order the correct shims to save some money on a kit.

[seank]

And you need to figure out why they fell off.

[Chee_Dog]

Originally Posted by seank

And you need to figure out why they fell off.

I was wondering the same thing, the pins look to be in place and the sliders are tight.

[RobMCoupe]

Originally Posted by Chee_Dog

So since it's a Friday, got off work early and started to tear apart the head cover and guess what I found? 5 shim fell off, the vano tabs looks to be good and still in place. I'm hoping the fix would be to replace put the shim back on and do some valve adjustment.

Lucky it was not missing. I hate to have to drop your oil pan.

Glad you find the problem.

[GriffBrew]

That's pretty weird. Now that she's open, it's valve adjustment time! Two birds, one stone.

[Chee_Dog]

adjusted valves today and it did not solve the loud ticking, it did become alittle tad quieter. Thinking about running the CEL codes and maybe do a compression test just incase. Almost positive I can hear it ticking from the header side or close to it. Frustrating!

[seank]

Why don't you have a mechanic look at it?

She's your baby!

[Chee_Dog]

Yup, my last resort, going to put all the body parts together and haul it over if I can't figure it out.