Valve damage from bouncing off the limiter? - BMW Forum

catalyst. · 01-31-2006, 07:48 PM

Can it happen?

A while ago i stopped at a gas station on an extremely busy and fast paced road, and when leaving i had to gun it in first.. basically.. bad tires (winter rims)+ open diff+ wet road = 0 traction and bouncing off the limiter at least twice.. .. it doesnt seem to be making as much power as usual..

Is it even possible? my car feels slower to me.. i dont know why.. it seems to have a slight valve tick that i know was not there before, im hoping its just the cold weather.

wtf. ;(

Cruzin 323is · 01-31-2006, 08:24 PM

from what i hear... u cant bend a valve unless u down shift.... i think the rev limiter was put there so that u can not bend a valve... i can be wrong though!

SpooldUp · 01-31-2006, 09:34 PM

sure it can happen. the limiter does help prevent it, but it can still occur. change your oil and look for shiny tidbits. If there is a valve bent it will run for a week maybe and they either seize or just not start. Also you'll smell burnt oil and maybe notice high engine temps. All this depends on how bad the damage might be.
Just start with changing the oil. That will tell you a lot. Also check the plugs to see if one looks black or dark brown. They should be light brown or white. Good luck!

catalyst. · 01-31-2006, 10:04 PM

It happened over a month ago, so...

basically the car just feels slower, and ticks now when it didnt before, burns no oil either.

Maybe il just tune her up and see if that helps at all.. if i did actually bend a valve like that, thats pretty damn weak

thekid · 01-31-2006, 11:29 PM

You can bend the valve springs fairly easily. This can come from making an aggressive downshift without using the heel-toe method (can only take once) or running the car at the rev limiter could over time bend the spring. It's basically the same about of labor as the valve, but the part is cheaper.

catalyst. · 02-01-2006, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekid

You can bend the valve springs fairly easily. This can come from making an aggressive downshift without using the heel-toe method (can only take once) or running the car at the rev limiter could over time bend the spring. It's basically the same about of labor as the valve, but the part is cheaper.

Well i would just buy a new head throw some cams in it if i end up really thinking that i fuxored something up.

Torque · 02-01-2006, 01:00 PM

It's possible. Although ... I've had the m20 off the tach 7000+ rpm ... even ran better after that.

catalyst. · 02-01-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torque

It's possible. Although ... I've had the m20 off the tach 7000+ rpm ... even ran better after that.

You really need to get a new car man, stock e34's handle like tugboats compared to e36's. Your going to be amazed once you drive a 3.

Well my car is running better today, i think its the cold weather or something that messes with it.. i think im going to switch toa lower weight oil too.

Also, i forgot i had the spare tire in, seems a bit faster now with 50 lb's gone..

Storamin · 02-02-2006, 05:06 PM

You really need to upgrade your suspension man, stock e36's handle like tugboats compared e36's with coilovers.

catalyst. · 02-02-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storamin

You really need to upgrade your suspension man, stock e36's handle like tugboats compared e36's with coilovers.

this is true

Storamin · 02-03-2006, 12:59 PM

... but torque does need to replace the e34. they are tugboats.

walshja · 02-03-2006, 05:33 PM

could you have have damaged your vanos ? ?

I did the same on my car, and my vanos starting making clicking / banging noises.

anyone know if hitting the rev limiter could damage the vanos?

Storamin · 02-03-2006, 07:31 PM

why would hitting the rev limiter damage the vanos? there are many chips that increase the rev limiter by 500 or even more on an otherwise stock engine.

polaris448 · 02-03-2006, 09:45 PM

ya, there are software updates that you buy at the dealer that bring the limiter to 7grand. i hit the limiter once and a while and have seen no ill effects. granted i probably have less spinning mass than you (m44). the limiter is there for safety. they would not have set it at a point where if you actually hit it, that your motor would get hurt. and if a dealer installs an upgrade that brings it up to 7g's than i would also be inclined to think that even 7g's is moderately safe. because otherwise why would they have you spinning it that fast, unless the upgrade moves the hp curve up there. there is no way that any performance upgrade would have you running on the back side of the hp curve.