Odd sound eminating from the engine (M42)

[Hammer]

I have a '91 318iS and an odd sound, kind of like a hockey card in the spokes of a bike, is coming from the engine. It almost sounds like the fan is rubbing up against the plastic shrouding, but it doesn't appear to be. Does anyone have a possible diagnosis?

[ryanm3d]

haha...I had a 91 318is, and what you are mentioning about the fan would be easy to "look for", so rule it out before moving on to what could be a timing chain problem...take a large screwdriver with a big handle, touch it somewhere to the engine block, and put your ear to the handle...rev the engine and see if the sound is eminating from there...its a very important thing to take care of, so don't drive too far before going to a mechanic...

[Halon]

I'm getting a weird sound in mine too. But I think its the exhaust rattling because all the hangers have broken except for its connection to my catalyitic and the final hanger before the muffler. So I don't know, but at the same time, when I accelerate through corners it sort of feels like a fast shaking, or strong grinding coming from under my right foot. I don't think its in the transmission, because it seems fine as far as shifting and whatnot, but I dunno. You know? Blah. I think it might be my car just flexing under shifting weight, but I hope not... ugh, I don't wanna have to touch up the seams or anything. I've been driving it gently since I started noticing that noise, but damnit, I wish it wasn't there. :-/ Oh well.

[takaaco]

i had the same thing happen to me it was the fan rubbing on the cap and rotor cover.