Engine Rattle

[timparky]

I have an E36 1995 M3 3 litre. It has a very strange intermitant dry sounding clatter that appears to be coming from the front of the engine. It has been to 2 BMW dealers who have changed the alternator belt tensioner and the waterpump which has not solved the problem. Now they want to take the head off to investigate which will be very expensive at £84 per hour.
Has anybody had a simular noise or has any suggestions.

Thanks

All responses appreciated.

Tim Parkinson

[Kevin325i]

It could be a sticky lifter that isn't pumping up and closing the clearance between the rocker arm so there's a ticking.

It's hard to diagnose engine noises when you've got so little to go on and it's over the internet. Does it go away after some driving, or does it start making noise after you drive?

Kevin

[BlantonG13]

I have a noise that sounds like a metallic rattle, happens loudest around 2k rpms...people have suggested things, but I have no clue what the hell it could be...I know its not exhaust...It sounds almost like a bunch of loose change rattling on something vibrating really fast (if that makes sense)

look out dealer here I come... ghead

[timparky]

Originally posted by Kevin325i@Jul 1 2004, 01:48 PM
It could be a sticky lifter that isn't pumping up and closing the clearance between the rocker arm so there's a ticking.

It's hard to diagnose engine noises when you've got so little to go on and it's over the internet. Does it go away after some driving, or does it start making noise after you drive?

Kevin

Hello Kevin,
Thanks for the reply. Initially it did go away after imidiate start up them come back when it had warmed up. Now it seems to be there all the time but not so prominant until it gets warm. Your right its hard to diagnose engine noise over the internet, its also quite hard to discribe. The noise is sound like click, click then its silent for a few seconds then click, click, click then silent for a few seconds then click and so on. It does seem to be getting worse though.
When you are driving you can hear it at low revs, when you accelerate it sound a bit like pinking.
However the engine does seem to run a bit smoother after the new waterpump.

Thanks

Tim

[Mr White G]

Vanos chain?

[Kevin325i]

Does it sound like it's coming from the floor of the pasenger side? I've got a click that I'm fairly sure is the wheel bearing, it comes and goes every now and then and the faster you go the faster it clicks.

Your's sounds like (if it's coming from the engine) just noise from the valve train. What type of oil are you using?

Kevin

[EuroBeem]

I would change all the belts from your engine. I had a squeaking noise when i first bought my car and found out that a couple of the belts wit ripped/scratcheda little, so after replacing them the noise went away.

Could be your belts but again like kevin said i cant really tell over the internet.