Noisy Tappets

[ken_smith]

Gents,

The tappets on my 1992 525 E34 are noisy on start up. Seems worse on really cold days. The remain noisy for about 1 - 2 miles before going quite. Even when the engine is warm they will sometimes start rattling when the engine is idling, and only stop once the revs are over 1,500.

The odd thing is, if I start the engine and they rattle, I can stop the engine, start it again straight away and 8 out of 10 times they are quiet.

Anyone have any ideas, or are they just loosing pressure, mileage is just over 161,000

TIA

Ken

[mrflibbles]

ken_smith said:

Gents, The tappets on my 1992 525 E34 are noisy on start up. Seems worse on really cold days. The remain noisy for about 1 - 2 miles before going quite. Even when the engine is warm they will sometimes start rattling when the engine is idling, and only stop once the revs are over 1,500. The odd thing is, if I start the engine and they rattle, I can stop the engine, start it again straight away and 8 out of 10 times they are quiet. Anyone have any ideas, or are they just loosing pressure, mileage is just over 161,000 TIA Ken

My e30 sounded quite tappety at idle - turned out it was the timing chain, which subsequently slipped. Big Bills.

Hope that helps...

[ken_smith]

SSSSHHHHH dont say these things!

Did it go quite when the engine was revved or did it stay noisy?

[mrflibbles]

It quietened down a lot when under load. I'd get the chain done anyways, it'll be much much much cheaper than the alternative!

Mine has also done 160k.

[ken_smith]

Was it a constant noise, or did it come and go?

Just trying to decide if its the same noise I am hearing or not

Ta

Ken

[fergus]

are they hyraulic tappets on that car, or shimmed?

If they're hydaulic, somoetimes it can take a while for the pressure to build in the tappet - hence why the noise either goes after a short while, or goes if you restart the car, i.e once there is oil pressure in the system.

[mrflibbles]

ken_smith said:

Was it a constant noise, or did it come and go? Just trying to decide if its the same noise I am hearing or not Ta Ken

It was a tapping noise. Everytime i started the car.
Get the chain done anyway!

>> Edited by mrflibbles on Sunday 14th March 19:14

[ken_smith]

They are hyrdaulic tappets. I thought the chain on the M50 engine was suppossed to give very little problems

[mrflibbles]

Dunno mate - i only really know about e30s!

Just dont want you to have the same experience as me!

[ken_smith]

I know exactly where you are coming from. I also have a Porsche 944S. They use a chain to link the intake and exhaust cams, it has tensioner with a plastic slipper. It failed so the chain snapperd. I could send you some interesting pics of very bent valves!

[mrflibbles]

Its ok, ive got 16 very bent valves of my own!

(and some sprocket or other which completely sheared off)