Noisy Vanos, lifters, or something else?

Hi, I just purchased a used 2002 330i through private sale. I am ok with everything except the tapping from the engine. I just want to make sure its not critical and hopefully wont need a new motor. i've listened to alot of different vanos, disa and tappet recordings so far and they all sound a little different so i figured i would post mine as well. Anyone have an idea of what this could be? Thanks!

Lose Spark plug.. Not Lifters...

i forgot to mention that i checked spark plugs even though i may not have checked them right. I know absolutely nothing about cars. i figured with this car, and due to the high expense of repair, i figured it was time to learn. I watched the youtue vids on how to change spark plugs, and following that i was able to check them. All of them seemed tight to me. i loosened a few and retightened them.

when i check to see if they are loose you are referring to the actual sparkplug right. i used the right extension tool to make sure they were tight. Is there something else to do with the spark plugs that could be loose?

I hear two different noises. One is ticking and the other is a lower pitched sound.
Is your oil low and or dirty?

The oil level is fine and its little dirty but i would not say it needs to be changed yet. Supposedly the person i bought it from just changed it, but as a precaution i am changing all the fluids when i can. I ended up having a "Post" sale inspection done instead of a pre sale like i should have at a decent Indy place. The technician said it sounded like either the rocker or camshaft and that it may have been caused by not having enough oil at one point. Anyway he said a rebuilt head would probably be the best way to fix it. He did not take the valve covers off to check for wear. that would be the next step. Since i dont know much about cars i dont know if this is something i can check I wouldnt know how to tell if any of the parts were worn. i am guessing if i were to remove the valve cover, i would have to replace the gasket afterwards?

Is this car a 5 speed manual? Sounds like dual mass flywheel chatter to me. Push in your clutch and see if that sound disappears. Normal if that is the case.

Regardless I'd be inclined to change the VANOS if I were you. I doubt that is the noise source, but needs to be done anyways.

Its an automatic. I just hope i wont need a new motor soon and hopefully i can fix the sound for relatively cheap

Here are two new videos. hopefully these will give a better idea of what the sound could be. Sounds alot like knocking to me. First one is rev second is idle. Sucks. I got ripped off.

Originally Posted by glacket

Here are two new videos. hopefully these will give a better idea of what the sound could be. Sounds alot like knocking to me. First one is rev second is idle. Sucks. I got ripped off.

Maybe you are hearing something I'm not, but I hear nothing that is all that worrisome. Sounds pretty normal to me. Engines make noises and E46's have some noisy valve trains anyways.

Just get used to the chatter I have hunted and hunted for a source. Its just the motor doing its thing. Try some different oils to quiet it. I found that mobil 10w40 keeps mine pretty quiet

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