Technical/Problem - need advice - United Bimmer Community

**bogeyman** · 09-07-2007, 10:47 AM

A couple of (hopefully) minor issues that I would like to deal with pronto...:

1) Ticking noise from engine, is sometimes there and is sometimes not there. I presume this is a noisy camshaft, and subsequently noisy lifters. Do these engines use Hydraulic Lash Adjusters? Can this infrequent problem be resolved by using a thicker oil?

2) Petrol whiff occasionally. Normally smells a little bit after filling up and the few hundred miles after. Beyond half a tank and less, i haven't noticed a smell. Could this be an overflow or tank problem? Should I check any areas in particular just to be cautious?

3) Where is the flipping radio aerial? This isn't really a problem, only I get great reception, and can't see an antennae!

4) Auto box is great, real smooth and shifts spot on. Any preventative maintenance I can carry out to keep it this way? I've been told these units are 'sealed for life', presumably they run on the same oil until death?

5) One query with the shifter, the little 'tell tale' indicator that tells you what gear you are in is stuck in position '1'. How do i release the tell tale from it's prison?

:

Thanks in advance people

Tom

**StiffCookie** · 09-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Hi,

Nice to see another '92 E36

1) Ticking noise from the engine is most likely to be rockers/tappets, they tend to get noiser as cars get older. So yeah, I would say your right on that one. - Yes, your car has hydraulic valve adjustment.

Is the ticking just there when you start up? Does it go away after say 15mins or so? If so, this is just the time when the valves distances are being adjusted, if it persists the problem could be the HVA's themselves.

Have you checked you oil level? Too high/low can cause this problem.

If your rockers are damaged, eventually you will get misfiring, very rough idle and black smoke because the valves aren't being reciprocated fully. I am not sure what maintenence is required, so you might want to look it up.

2) Is the smell inside the car or outside?

3) Ah ha lol, this is pretty cool, it's actually integrated into the rear window defogging strips. Neat idea huh. My reception is always perfect too.

4&5) Sorry I don't know anything about autos

. But I'm sure you can get oil for automatic gearboxes, if so, be sure to keep that topped up (but I don't think you should lose oil unless theres a leak).

Hope that helps ya out

Stiff

**bogeyman** · 01-15-2008, 07:57 AM

Hi Stiff
Thanks for your reply!
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, haven't been here for a while!

1) Ticking happens every so often, on a hot or cold engine, and also at certain revs. Sometimes when 'cruising' the ticking is noisy, and when i 'press on' or accelerate, the ticks go and all is hushed again. I've seen cam kits, although they cost more than the car did, so i'm really after keeping it in as good condition as poss for as long as poss.

I've been keeping tabs on oil, but in nearly 8000 miles it hasn't used a drop. It's getting serviced every 6k miles.

2) Smell is inside. Smell has gone recently, which is strange. I'll keep tabs on it.

3) Awesome to know, thanks!

4&5) Cheers for info, i know a little more about the autobox now. As it is sealed for life, the level can't be checked unless you open the thing up, and in which case you may aswell renew the seals, filter and oil. At the MOT (yearly test), the tester told me the 'box was leaking. Also he said the rear axle is leaking. I think these two jobs will be done as and when, by a mechanic with a set of proper ramps!

**bogeyman** · 01-15-2008, 01:14 PM

Looking over the service history of this car, ive also noted that the cambelt needs changing...can anyone confirm whether this engine (1.6 injection) uses a belt or a chain? I'll have to open the engine up if i can't get an answer here.

**max79** · 01-16-2008, 05:14 AM

if ur car is 316i it comes with m40 engine with cambuilt built not chain

**bogeyman** · 01-16-2008, 05:16 AM

Thanks for the reply!
I'll have to get it changed then

**mullethunter3** · 01-16-2008, 08:43 AM

As for #3, it's not in the defrost strips in the rear window. It's behind the C-pillar. I can't remember if it's passenger or driver's side. It's just a box behind the upholstery.

**StiffCookie** · 01-16-2008, 12:10 PM

1) I would try just replacing your lifters, a good percentage of E36's have this prob and worn/faulty lifters are the cause. If this doesn't fix it, It will most likely be the tensioner.

2) Probably not the case, but lift up the rear seats and check under the metal plates either side of the car (by removing 4 screws each side) to see if you have any fuel seeping through the seals where the fuel level senders are. Make sure the BIG plastic nuts are securely tightened.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mullethunter3

As for #3, it's not in the defrost strips in the rear window. It's behind the C-pillar. I can't remember if it's passenger or driver's side. It's just a box behind the upholstery.

Ah, the US and Euro versions of the E36 must be different then, because mine definately has the defrost strips double as the radio antenna (100% Certain).

So depending where ur car was registered bogeyman, now u know

Hope this Helps
Stiff

**iamcreepingdeath** · 01-16-2008, 12:16 PM

Make absolutely sure you are using the correct oil. Look in your owner's manual. It happened to me. get this. I had up until yesterday been using 10w-30 in my '95 E36, and i always had a ticking kind of rattle coming from the front of my engine. I looked in the owner's manual, and lo and behold, my car needs 15w-50, a much heavier oil. So i did the change last night, and the ticking was gone, just like that. My car runs much smoother now. look in your owner's manual, i cannot stress that enough.