I'm new here and this forum looks great! I took a big chance today and bought a 2002 M3 at an auction, 2002 manual trans 87K, looks great and it runs great, here is the problem, it sounds like it has some valve train noise when you hold the throttle @ about 3K. You can't here it if driving or with the hood shut, only when hood is open, no noise @ idle, its not real loud, but its noticeable. Unfortunately I have no idea what mait. items have been performed. Are the valves able to be adjusted on these? Is it possible that this is the problem, anything I should check, could it be timing change noise(is the timing chain even servicable?). From looking in the oil cab the motor looks clean, no sludge buildup. I have heard that some of the early M's had catastrophic motor failures, hope this one is not headed south!!!!! Thank you soo much in advance for all your help. Brad:thumbup:
If they are out of adjustment, could this cause the noise to occur, also how difficult is it, any special tools or parts needed, could an average mechanic tackle the job. Thanks
Yes, out of adjustment valves can cause the valvetrain to be noisy. Not a hard job, but you will need the tappet depressor or some other tool to get the shims out. The tool is probably $150. Each new shim is probably ~$10 (but you can work and shuffle them around (but you will still need at least one shim to start that process).
I assume I will need to buy the shims at the BMW dealer, does ayone have a good write up on the process, also how often is it recommended to adjust them?
after further review, here is what I have found out, I had my friend rev the motor while I listened with a long screw driver, basically no noise from 1K----3K, then from 3K-4K I hear the ticking or rattling coming from the front of the head where the timing chain is, a l more so on the exhaust side than the intake, then from 4K---> the noise goes away. Does this help,thaks again Bruce for your quick responses
Just listened to another M3, 2001 w/63K, same freakin noise, what are the odds both are bad?lol. The local BMW dealer said he would have his tech listen to it for free if I cam by in the morning. I'll let everybody know? Thanks
I changed the oil and filter with Castrol 10w 60, then took it by the BMW dealer, he said it sounded great, I noticed it was not as loud since I changed the oil. So I guess all is well!
S54 is a very noisy engine. All sorts of mechanical noise. That said, you are playing with fire on an auction vehicle with 87K miles. I am sure $$ is an issue, but you will be much better served by pay a little more for a single owner car with a known maintenance/accident history.
There are gazillions of them out there right now.
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