Rattling engine video's

[KillerHERTZ]

Following on from THIS thread, I thought I would post a couple of video clips with the sound that the engine makes.

This only happens from time to time and has no performance effect on the mighty 1.8 Bi-Turbo Non-pressor that is my engine.

After listening, any further idea's?


Clip 1


Clip 2

 

[Dieselman]

[After listening, any further idea's?

Got it!..Someones slipped an old diesel engine in when you weren't looking.

It does sound like a rattly tappet.

Try slipping the drive belt off and run the engine. Obviously this will eliminate the belt tensioner and ancillaries.

Have you tried a stethoscope yet?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Yeah, I was told it was possibly the Tappets.

Can dodgy tappets ruin an engine? I have a mate with a K reg 3 series. He reckons his engine sounds the same and its been like it for years without trouble

 

[bobrooney]

My mum had a K reg BMW 3 series which had noisy tappets for years before my dad decided to get it fixed. Not too sure if dodgy tappets will ruin an engine but they will probably affect the performance of the engine. Still worth getting checked out incase the tappets aren't the problem.

 

[Bazzle]

Can I hear a bit of timing chain noise too??

Bazzle

 

[grober]

Tappets

I reckon tappets also and possibly more than one. According to Haynes you can test the tappets in the following way.
1. Remove the camshaft cover( new seals will be required)
2 Turn the engine till the heel of the first camshaft lobe is position over the first hydraulic tappet.
3 using a wooden or plastic tool press down on the tappet and check it feels firm.(dont use excessive force or you will start to open the valve!)
4 IF THE TAPPET MOVES DOWN SLIGHTLY the internal components are not sealing correctly and the tappet must be renewed.
5 Repeat for all the tappets.
I would also check for any signs of scoring on the tappet face and the cam lobes.

does this happen when the engine is cold or hot or when its been sitting for a time(hot or cold) My 190 engines used to to this for a few seconds after standing over night until the tappets "pumped up"

As Ian says changing the oil pump is not too difficult/expensive if thats at fault. To test this you could temporarily connect a good quality oil pressure sender/oil pressure gauge instead of the oil pressure warning light switch ( IF ITS EASY TO GET AT) and monitor the oil pressure more accurately.

Another thought, are you running one of these ultra thin synthetic oils 0w50 or similar. You might quieten things down by using a 10w40 or a 15w50 semi synthetic?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

mmm, intresting Idea's - will speak to my mechanic.

Good idea about the oil change, in the past when the oil has been changed the sound goes

 

[Dieselman]

Running with loose tappets will cause the valves to bang into their seats. Generally not a problem but will cause more seat erosion and sound bad as well as reducing performance due to the valve timing altering.

You could try flushing the engine before condemning the tappets.

 

[ADY1983]

That sounds a bit like mine, and I reckon oil pump or blocked strainer???
Oh and all beamers TAP.... I have had 2 and a friend of mine is on his third and all sounded the same.