Bought an e36, I have a couple questions if you will :) - United Bimmer Community

**Karl328i** · 08-13-2007, 04:53 AM

First of all thanks for the useful guide when buying

I have however found one of the "common faults" with my 1996 328.

When hot, it has a "ticking" noise, now I haven't investigated fully yet like revving and having someone listen to the passenger side but it only does it when hot, could it be the tensioner or just the noise that is considered normal?

Another thing is that on full lock the revs drop very low or the engine stalls. I've heard two things about this;

1. It could be engine compression, and being from the UK and having the engine with the problem I got a test done... all six cylinders were showing over 150 compression, pretty much 150-160 I'd say. Is this ok?

2. It'll be the IAC - the most likely cause people say?

Sorry for the essay long post!

Cheers

**Dudesky** · 08-13-2007, 05:34 AM

Some questions for you: how's your gas mileage? Any oil consumption? With the ticking, I would try an oil change first, see if the problem clears up. You can narrow the problem down further by locating the sound either along the cylinder head or towards the front where the VANOS resides. Engine compression seems normal, as long as they're within 15% deviation from each other. I don't think it's the IAC (aka ICV) that's causing the stall, but it doesn't hurt to clean it anyway. More likely you have a vacuum leak somewhere; inspect the intake boot and any hoses that are attached in between the MAF sensor and the intake manifold- that would be a good place to start. Also, check your lambda sensors, they may be worn and throwing off the air/fuel mixture.

**Karl328i** · 08-13-2007, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Some questions for you: how's your gas mileage? Any oil consumption? With the ticking, I would try an oil change first, see if the problem clears up. You can narrow the problem down further by locating the sound either along the cylinder head or towards the front where the VANOS resides. Engine compression seems normal, as long as they're within 15% deviation from each other. I don't think it's the IAC (aka ICV) that's causing the stall, but it doesn't hurt to clean it anyway. More likely you have a vacuum leak somewhere; inspect the intake boot and any hoses that are attached in between the MAF sensor and the intake manifold- that would be a good place to start. Also, check your lambda sensors, they may be worn and throwing off the air/fuel mixture.

fuel consumption seems very good, I've done just over 200 miles and the needle is just about under half a tank (and I've been showing people what it can do so I haven't exactly taken it easy). I checked the oil the other night so I'll check it again later to see if there is any change.

Thanks for the advice on the ticking, I've heard an oil change can sort it, but according to the previous owner it was done about 500 miles ago? I'll try to listen to where its coming from

When the car is idle the needle is dead steady on the revs, it doesn't fluctuate at all, but occasionaly I will feel a little "pop" and you can hear it from the exhaust.

Sorry but how do I go about checking the hoses, it it just a look around the engine area to see if anything is perished or looks as though it could need replacing?

Thanks

**Dudesky** · 08-13-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl328i

Sorry but how do I go about checking the hoses, it it just a look around the engine area to see if anything is perished or looks as though it could need replacing?

Left side of engine compartment, the rather large elbow looking hose about 8.5cm in diameter- check that for cracks inside and out. And check any hoses attached to it (there should be 2) for leaks. This is a good place to start.

**Karl328i** · 08-13-2007, 07:36 AM

Excellent thanks

I've been to lunch and Im pretty sure the ticking is coming from the engine block, not at the front or anything but in the block and slightly to the left

If I have a vacuumn problem could this indication the nikasil problem with my engine?

**xsperf** · 08-13-2007, 08:09 AM

usually, if the ticking is the lifters, it would only occur when the engine is cold, and when it warms up and the oil is circulated through the rest of the engine, the ticking goes away. If its the vanos noise, its more like a marble sound(can also be considered ticking) and that is definitely going to be constant. It could be your exhaust. How is your exhaust system, is it very quiet or could it possibly have a little leak in there, I don't know exactly what causes it, but some BMW's have a ticking because of their exhaust, I know mine does, except mine is very random, most of the time it doesn't do it but sometimes it does, and my exhaust is a BIT loud...(you can only hear the difference if the window is open)

**Karl328i** · 08-13-2007, 08:20 AM

I'll start it up again when i go home and listen straight away, its defanitly coming from the engine compartment and Im sure from the block area

Im not 100% sure if its constant though, but after driving somewhere and someone opening the door, its very audiable.

Im still kind of worried over the whole cylinder bore wear though, shall I get it checked for leakage? The compression was 150s across all 6 but it still makes me nervous. At idle the revs are steady (If I down the window when it finishes the revs drop very slight). I also feel a little "blip" when idle but dont see it on the rev counter.

**xsperf** · 08-13-2007, 08:38 AM

well, what surprises me is, it really cant be coming from the block, the ticking noise usually comes from the lifters, if you have no compression, it'll run like crap but it wont tick, and in my car, like in the exhaust noise, when you rev it up it speeds up for a second but its so low that once you rev it up you cant hear it anymore

**Karl328i** · 08-13-2007, 08:43 AM

oh I see

Where are the lifters? Are they to the left of the engine compartment?

When you say rev it up and it goes I think that is true, when accelerating it purrs (which is very very nice) and I dont notice the noise, does this make it the lifters?

**xsperf** · 08-13-2007, 10:53 AM

lifters are right on the camshafts, so yes, sorta to the left of the engine compartment if you are looking at the car from the front(staring at the headlights), the lifters are actually at the very top of the engine(so not the block), actually if you take your oil cap off and look carefully in there you will see the lifters

**Dudesky** · 08-13-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl328i

If I have a vacuumn problem could this indication the nikasil problem with my engine?

I seriously doubt it; only a limited number of M52's had that issue. You can call a BMW service center and provide them with your VIN number. They'll be able to tell you if your vehicle was affected, and if the repairs were made. Many BMW's have stuttering and stalling problems, and it's not a sign of that issue.

**celsdogg** · 08-13-2007, 05:28 PM

didnt the problem with nikasil only happen in the US with the poor gas we have here (ie higher sulfer levels or something)?

the poster is from england, maybe there gas is ok? also, the compression test yielded 150 psi (around about) in all 6 cylinders, is thats right around where it should be?

**Dudesky** · 08-13-2007, 07:31 PM

^^^ No dude, the other way around . . England had the problem. The actual compression numbers depend on a lot of factors- altitude, ambient temp, cams, valves, electrical system, etc. Minimum however is about 142psi for M50's & M52's. So long as they fall within 5-10psi of each other, or at least within 85% of the highest reading cylinder

**celsdogg** · 08-13-2007, 09:21 PM

^^^ oops, my bad.

**Karl328i** · 08-14-2007, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

lifters are right on the camshafts, so yes, sorta to the left of the engine compartment if you are looking at the car from the front(staring at the headlights), the lifters are actually at the very top of the engine(so not the block), actually if you take your oil cap off and look carefully in there you will see the lifters

Thanks

I took this pic the other day and I've just circled the area I thought it was coming from inside of

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u..._21660004b.jpg Would that be about right for the lifters? How much am I looking to get that fixed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

I seriously doubt it; only a limited number of M52's had that issue. You can call a BMW service center and provide them with your VIN number. They'll be able to tell you if your vehicle was affected, and if the repairs were made. Many BMW's have stuttering and stalling problems, and it's not a sign of that issue.

I think I'll give them a call to be honest then, where would I find the VIN number? I saw a metal plate on the left of the engine compartment but I can't remember what it said, if thats it I'll give them a call and find out

Incidentely, we checked the oil level a couple of days ago and I checked it again today, I've only covered like 150 miles but it looks like it hasn't moved at all which I guess is a good sign

Oh and another thing.. I often find in 2nd and 3rd gear it feels like it sort of stutters around 1500 revs and once it gets to 2000 its fine anything I can do to check this out?

Thanks lads