Adjusting Valves

[liltrig99]

Ok i really need some help from those of you who know more about cars then i do. Anyways heres my problem. I have a 93 318i, and it doesn't sound like i think it should. It makes a kinda clicking noise, which can ge described as the sound a diesel engine makes kind of. Well i was at www.pelicanparts.com and i read an article on adjusting your valves, heres the site, and i need to know:

1.) Is this procedere the same for an e36? The one on the site is for and e30
2.) Do you think i can do this myself. Im not an idiot about cars, but i am also be no means a mechanic. Im 16 and just learning about my car.
3.) Does this procedure even have anything to do with my problem.

I would really appreciate any help or ideas anyone can give.

thanks guys, i love this forum, people are so helpful, and usualy respond pretty quick.

[El Presidente]

Doesn't sound like you think it should could be a lot of things, or could be how the car sounds. The first thing you should do if you just bought it is find another 93 and listen to how it sounds. Second, the clicking noise is actually a common sound w/ the e36, but generally occurs in colder weather. The problem is sticky lifters. To more thoroughly answer the question, we need more details.

As for is it the same? No. Its a different engine. The procedure is the same, but the how to access and measurements will be different, as its a different engine. Also, only you can tell if you can do this. If you can change the spark plugs then you should be able to do this easy enough, but you'll need to make sure you have the right tools.

[nycbmw325is]

Originally posted by El Presidente@Sep 19 2004, 11:03 PM
Doesn't sound like you think it should could be a lot of things, or could be how the car sounds. The first thing you should do if you just bought it is find another 93 and listen to how it sounds. Second, the clicking noise is actually a common sound w/ the e36, but generally occurs in colder weather. The problem is sticky lifters. To more thoroughly answer the question, we need more details.

As for is it the same? No. Its a different engine. The procedure is the same, but the how to access and measurements will be different, as its a different engine. Also, only you can tell if you can do this. If you can change the spark plugs then you should be able to do this easy enough, but you'll need to make sure you have the right tools.

Uh Pres... I was under the impression that none of the E36, including the 4 banger in the 318 required adjusting valve lash as i believed they all had hydrolic lifters... Are you sure about this?

[Kevin325i]

Only the euro M3 had solid lifters. What you're most likely hearing is a bad lifter, or the timing chain.

There might be some adjustment for the hydrolic lifters, but I doubt it.

[liltrig99]

Thanks for the help. I guess i just wont do anything

[El Presidente]

The early 1.8 engine in the e36 was a carry over from the late e30s.

[Autotechnica]

The valves are also self-adjusting on the 318's, there's no reason to adjust them.