So about that M3... here's the main problem... - United Bimmer Community

**mullethunter3** · 05-29-2007, 10:38 PM

M3 Ticking?

If you guys can listen and maybe see what it is, that would help greatly.

Here's the rest of the list:
-It's been overheating randomly. There has been almost no coolant in the car for at least the past week. My cousin (who is retarded about BMW's) said that he opened up the system three times and each time it's been full. I just pulled the cap off and I could only see a little puddle in the bottom. So I topped that off, to the KALT line. And the ticking stopped.
-The A/C works after a long while, also, could be due to coolant issues.
-The driver's side seat needs to be welded together or something. It's got a ghetto lean.
- The exhaust rattles around a heat shield.
- The front bumper needs to be reclipped, so do the door panels.
- The clutch is getting much worse than it was because my cousin is an idiot and drives it until the clutch slips. I hate him.
- etc, etc, etc

Basically, I'll be adding to this list tomorrow after I get back from the dealer, but I just wanted some input on the coolant issue.

witeshark · 05-29-2007, 10:53 PM

The tick sounds like, but seems loud for valve train tappet tick. Just my 2 cents

**celsdogg** · 05-29-2007, 11:01 PM

that is much worse than i thought it would be. i say totally engine tho, due to the frequency of the tick. if you open the throttle a little bit, does the tick increase too?

all that other stuff seems easy enough to fix.

**Rooz** · 05-29-2007, 11:09 PM

I had that heat shield problem, over time they get loose, takes two screws to fix it...

**c1apton** · 05-29-2007, 11:41 PM

that ticking is strange. It almost sounds like vanos/oil starvation to upper end, but when you got under it it also sounded like exhaust. Maybe a combo? (my ears are so fatigued tonight) I'll try to listen to it again when they calm down abit. As far as your other tidbits:

Coolant issue sounds like waterpump - random over heat and low coolant - Running hot might be AC issue too but low R134 will have to build up pressure longer to get cool air not cold. "Ghetto lag"in seat is seat adjusting cables. The rest is pretty obvious - bumpers, door panels & clutch - you're looking at a chunk of change ( and time) to get it up to what you're expecting out of it (reliability, etc) and who knows what else has been neglected. I don't know, the "M" is tempting but do you have the time & resources to exert into it? Sorry, I'm not usually this pesimistic but this sounds like a "work in progress" to get it to where you'ld be happy with it.

craig · 05-30-2007, 12:01 AM

when the camera is in the engine bay, it sounds like an exhaust leak. but when you go underneath, it sounds demonic. haha. if you can, before you start it(cold) poor some water on the headers, start it up and see if you can see any bubbles(thats how i was tought anyway) the only problem with that is you cant see the bottom side. if not, i would check the oil pump. and then the lifters. i have a problem with that, i have a loose lifter on both sides, but they arnt adjustable.

those are the only things i know of/can think of at the moment. ill have my dad listen to it tomarrow and see what he thinks(ex-mechanic)

**Numark318i** · 05-30-2007, 12:03 AM

dam. sounds pretty bad.

it seems to be just as loud from underneath..so might not be the vanos/oil starvation?

more info? doe sit increase as you rev it?

I know my 318 has ticking when its hot and i drive it like a mad man..but nothing even close to that. idk really.

but still M powa

**mzbmw325i** · 05-30-2007, 01:06 AM

and i thought my engine was ticking bad, for a M3 that is pretty scary in my opinion.

**BMWLotAttendant** · 05-30-2007, 02:03 AM

Check the radiator for cracks or leaks...that could cause the coolant problem....and the A/C problem.

**3050rpm** · 05-30-2007, 03:37 AM

A couple of (somewhat peripheral) suggestions: 1) coolant could be imperceptibly disappearing from a bad heater valve, up by the firewall. The valve isn't the easiest thing to reach, but it is possible to get a hand under it from above to check for any wetness; 2) it might be prudent to get an oil analysis done to see if there's coolant in there, about $20.

Final point, or prejudice: Ms probably invite abusive treatment and see little commensurate service/maintenance. I don't know whether your cousin presently owns this car, or is contemplating buying it, but if the latter I'd be very leary until checked out by a mechanic, and if the former he needs a good talking to if he let that ticking develop.

**Dudesky** · 05-30-2007, 07:12 AM

Get a mechanic's stethoscope to dial in the noise, figure out exactly where it's coming from. Any auto parts store will have it, not expensive at all. An e36 shouldn't be tapping louder than an e30; they're built differently. If I had to guess, I'd say it's the VANOS, it could have been oil starved. Judging from the way the cooling system was mistreated, it's a good bet the oil was neglected as well. Run some Seafoam through the intake manifold and put some in the oil as well to clean things up, as per the can's directions. Then change the oil. Sometimes a thicker viscosity will alleviate the ticking.

**BMWLotAttendant** · 06-06-2007, 11:28 AM

What's the word?

**xsperf** · 06-06-2007, 12:04 PM

yea check the oil, see how dirty it is(basically how long b4 last oil change) and also see if tis like water or it still has some viscosity to it

**RSF5** · 06-06-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witeshark

The tick sounds like, but seems loud for valve train tappet tick. Just my 2 cents

I agree with witeshark, sounds like its coming from head internals maybe vanos (M3s are notorious for starving the vanos of oil) I also agree with dudesky, get it checked out with a stethoscope.

I would also perform every maintenance procedure in the book on that engine, but thats just my opinion.

Have you bought it yet?

**mullethunter3** · 06-06-2007, 03:44 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys.

I didn't buy the car. Currently, my cousin is in love with it and it is sitting on jack stands with no transmission until the new parts are ordered/come in. He calls me at least 4 times a day with questions about it and I had to oversee the transmission drop even though he is a certified mechanic. Yep, so that's the story with the M3, I'm taking Daniel's and Nick's advice and waiting to buy an M3. Hopefully an Avus Blue one, 1999, black leather, 2 door, 5 speed.