Another engine tap thread..

[THeGAME]

Hello people!

I just bought a 1994 BWM 540i and I think I have a problem. At the dealer, they brought it out warm so I never heard it cold start. The next day my heart bout jumped out my throat when I started it up.

Im hearing a loud taping noise coming from the top of the engine when cold. Its not a lifter noise, its just a tap tap tap, around two a second. It gets quieter as the car warms up and goes away within about 5min.

Any ideas?

[Anatoly]

got the same thing ... help please

[bimmergntx]

Cam driven motors will make noise until the oil makes it to the top of the motor. Gravity tends to pull things downward while you sleep at night. Prob nothing to worry about unless it worsens. Also older cars tend to have older oil pumps that have issues pushing cold thick oil, once it warms the oil can pump more freely. Try using a 5-30 semi senth in the cooler months. 10-30 in summer for sure.

[THeGAME]

Thx for the answer!

How spendy do you think a new oil pump would be?

This car is pretty cherry, but the engine has 191g on it. The only thing I know for sure is that the comp was replaced recently. I figure the oil pump is a priority.

[bimmergntx]

Have a good mechanic take a listen. I don't know how spendy it would be. I run a repair facility I can check what a place like mine would charge.

[yaofeng]

The e34 V8, at least the 4.0 variety for sure, has the notorious oil pump bolts coming loose syndrome. Remove the sump pan to have a look. Although it may have nothing whatsoever to do with the noise. If the noise quiet down after a few seconds, even up to 15 minutes, I would not worry about it. Like another OP said, gravity works and it takes time to get the drained lifters filled with oil to function normally.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_540/DSC_2528.jpg

[THeGAME]

Once again, thanks for the replies!

I was reading some other posts about the net and found one regarding some detergent oil, diesel based, that you could run for round 2000mi to help clean things out. Does anyone recommend doing this?

If so, what brand and what weight for the colder side of spring?

[MeanM50]

The e34 V8, at least the 4.0 variety for sure, has the notorious oil pump bolts coming loose syndrome. Remove the sump pan to have a look. Although it may have nothing whatsoever to do with the noise. If the noise quiet down after a few seconds, even up to 15 minutes, I would not worry about it. Like another OP said, gravity works and it takes time to get the drained lifters filled with oil to function normally.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_540/DSC_2528.jpg

An oil pump nut problem would trip the oil pressure alert on your OBC...

The problem (most likely) is the valve seals. They are there to 'trap' oil around the valves so when you do cold start it, there is oil already up there to lubricate until full oil pressure/temp is reached and oil is flowing. These seals get goo'd up over the years and don't 'trap' the oil anymore...they let it leak down to the pan.....so in the morning, your valves aren't lubed and make a tick.

This is not a major issue unless the tick doesn't go away...then you may have some other problems.

I had this problem a little while ago...I put a quart of ATF in the oil when I was ready for an oil change...I drove the car about 100-150 miles and performed the oil change flushing all the ATF out of the motor. ATF has detergents that can help remove some of the gunk on the seals. This worked for me. It's not a magic fix, but I don't hear tick in the morning anymore.:dunno:

[THeGAME]

Thanks Mean..

Ive looked around at alot of forums, and checked a few car/oil sites. It doesnt look like Im sludged from a glance in the oil fill. It looks like I might need sludge, lol. I dont want to try and break up whatever deposits all at once at this point cuz it might just toast the engine if something gets stuck in the wrong place. Im driving it like a grandma, and so far the only thing I have noticed wrong with it is the tap at cold start. Im thinking about high mileage to try and expand the seals till I can afford a new oil pump. Im hoping it will give it an added push of oil on start up, and reduce the tap.

Its LOUD folks..
That cant be good. Im wondering how often the previous owner(s) drove it. The time the tap is audible is alot shorter from the first day. I commute 44mi to work n back total. 32MPG ave. Lookin at taking gntx' advise, its spendy though. I got a quote from my local BMW dealer for $180 for an oil and filter change. :(


If anyone has had some shallow and deep engine problems, Id like to know what it was and what you paid for things like rebuilds, partials, and block specific problems you have seen.

THX for readin!

[MeanM50]

Thanks Mean..

It doesnt look like Im sludged from a glance in the oil fill.

You can't really visually inspect the valve seals without taking the covers off...

I dont want to try and break up whatever deposits all at once at this point cuz it might just toast the engine if something gets stuck in the wrong place.

The described procedure wouldn't release anything that would damage your motor. It's a film, and it will desolve in the ATF....

Im driving it like a grandma, and so far the only thing I have noticed wrong with it is the tap at cold start. Im thinking about high mileage to try and expand the seals till I can afford a new oil pump. Im hoping it will give it an added push of oil on start up, and reduce the tap.

You don't need an oil pump...that is probably the least likely thing to go wrong on an E34. If your oil pump wasn't working, you would see 'oil pressure' or the like on the OBC (on board display)

I got a quote from my local BMW dealer for $180 for an oil and filter change. :(

Does that come with some lube? (for your a$$?) oil and filter changes are A) not hard to do your self -and- B) $35 at your local shop. (read-NOT the Stealership)

[icaptaincaveman]

Could be the pump, I think you'll find it has a non return valve which can stick.