Loud tappet like noises from Engine....

Ducklakeview · Post by **Ducklakeview** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:49 pm

Definitely valvetrain related, sounds like just the one cam/follower knocking. I'd not be running that until it's been apart for inspection. At this point the cam/follower "may" be salvageable. Keep running it, and it won't..

Mike

T1berious · Post by **T1berious** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:54 pm

I'm kind of angling on it being a VANOS issue from the interwebs and the "Marbles in a can" noise described by others

T1berious · Post by **T1berious** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:56 pm

Hey Mike,

I'm kind of hoping it will limp home. being nursed gently.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:16 pm

Hmmm, have to say I would expect valve train over vanos with a rattle like that at idle. A diagnostic should confirm if vanos or not and / or the rocker cover is fairly straight forward to take off to inspect valve train.

You could try emailing the video clip link to these guys for confirmation, they have done TONS of vanos rebuilds and have a good rep.... http://www.mrvanos.com/E46-M3-32-S54-Va ... 63137).htm

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:18 pm

T1berious wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:56 pm Hey Mike,

I'm kind of hoping it will limp home. being nursed gently.

Wouldn't do that, if it was mine. It would be straight on a truck and into a good indie. Mechanical tapping noises generally just get more expensive, the longer you run them. Hope it doesn't cause too much wallet pain.

Bing · Post by **Bing** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:27 pm

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good at all. I am with buzyg, I'd not drive that at all. Hope it hasn't done too much damage, whatever it is.

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:31 pm

at what rpm was this video made?
I analyzed the signal with audacity and it turns out that the tick is occuring 9,5 times per second.
So thats roughly 570 per minute.
If the engine is running about 1150rpm its definately valve train related, but if it turns any slower it could be something else.

signal; the tap is clearly visible:

synthedup · Post by **synthedup** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:40 pm

When my cam chain tension-er failed and the chain slipped it was very similar, I certainly wouldn't drive it until it can be inspected.

Any engine lights on? mine threw a code and went into limp mode after a short while.

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:42 pm

I wouldn't be driving that anywhere Op , lowloader only till diagnosed but it doesn't sound well at all

Hard to say 100% off the clip but bearing / shell problem very possible

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:12 pm

T1berious wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:34 pm Right, the last time it was in was last year and it had an Inspection II 2015 so it's due one. I have done a video and currently looking at decent local indies as I've seen horror stories from main dealers with costs north of 4k.....

Last oil change would be last year. It has always gone to a main dealer.

It is however the dreaded marbles in a can sound while idle and rising in frequency with revs.

I'll pop the video into this once I work out how to upload it!

https://youtu.be/Re2J4Di1QDs

Cheers T1b

Is the service regime out of sync somewhere

Ins2 on these generally around 45k + 90K / ins1 evenly between so in theory your 91k car should have had at least 3 valve clearances done .

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:32 pm

If that'a a valve clearance issue it's a serious one! Like clip broken and shim missing.

Beedub · Post by **Beedub** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 5:19 pm

I'm wondering if the shim may have jumped out.... Really sad to read anyway but at 91k she's done well for such a highly strung motor, its had plenty of use.

keep us posted!!

Ducklakeview · Post by **Ducklakeview** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 5:40 pm

T1berious wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:56 pm Hey Mike,

I'm kind of hoping it will limp home. being nursed gently.

Nooo.....

Cost of a getting it transported will be magnitudes less than the cost of damage done driving it..

Mike

Z4M-2006 · Post by **Z4M-2006** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 6:05 pm

That's deffo top end .. cams and followers I would suggest

Don't drive it anymore

You say it was in last year, but then say 2015...

What's the history of the car, it shouldn't be going 2 years without having service

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 6:16 pm

GuidoK wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:31 pm at what rpm was this video made?
I analyzed the signal with audacity and it turns out that the tick is occuring 9,5 times per second.
So thats roughly 570 per minute.
If the engine is running about 1150rpm its definately valve train related, but if it turns any slower it could be something else.

signal; the tap is clearly visible:

Nice analysis Guido

Bearing in mind cold start idle is around 1150-1200 and the noise heard you'd have to say it's the cams/followers.
As has been said, do not drive it and I wouldn't even turn the engine on again.
Hope it's not too financially painful op

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