Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Still waiting for my bottom end to come back from rebuilding, so in the meantime I'm thinking about the top end.
I've had many M20s over the years, some have had very quiet valve gear, some have been noisy. In general the lower mileage ones have been quieter but that's by no means the rule. Sometimes adjusting the valves improves matters and sometimes it doesn't.
So what's the secret to quiet valve gear, do I have to replace everything?
I've had many M20s over the years, some have had very quiet valve gear, some have been noisy. In general the lower mileage ones have been quieter but that's by no means the rule. Sometimes adjusting the valves improves matters and sometimes it doesn't.
So what's the secret to quiet valve gear, do I have to replace everything?
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29199
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Perhaps wear on rocker arms where they move over the rocker shaft, and the rocker shaft? Sometimes you adjust valves real tight and they're still noisy, must be freeplay on the other side of the rocker I reckon?
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
OK I'll add a little background.
When I rebuilt the head (first time before it cracked) I used original camshaft with new rockers and shafts (pattern parts, believe they were Febi) . It was noisy as hell.
Second rebuild I used a matched set of camshaft, rockers and shafts that came with the head, still noisy.
Having sorted through all my bits I have the following:
Unused pattern Camshaft (manufacturer unknown)
Full set of pattern rockers (500 miles)
I don't have a pair of shafts so could buy new ones.
So for the third rebuild I could use the parts above which would all be new or close to new but all pattern parts. I don't want to go through this a fourth time, particularly as it involves removing the head again. Genuine BMW new parts are really expensive.
When I rebuilt the head (first time before it cracked) I used original camshaft with new rockers and shafts (pattern parts, believe they were Febi) . It was noisy as hell.
Second rebuild I used a matched set of camshaft, rockers and shafts that came with the head, still noisy.
Having sorted through all my bits I have the following:
Unused pattern Camshaft (manufacturer unknown)
Full set of pattern rockers (500 miles)
I don't have a pair of shafts so could buy new ones.
So for the third rebuild I could use the parts above which would all be new or close to new but all pattern parts. I don't want to go through this a fourth time, particularly as it involves removing the head again. Genuine BMW new parts are really expensive.
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Check the eccentrics have not got worn flats they may cause some noise, you only mention the rockers not sure if you had new eccentrics in them.
1982 323i (S54 "Test Mule" - to be rebuilt into M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - The refined S54 Race car)
1982 635csiA (New project)
1985 728iA (For Sale)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - The refined S54 Race car)
1982 635csiA (New project)
1985 728iA (For Sale)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
The eccentrics are all new (pattern parts I suspect).
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29199
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Really weird if you have a noisy valvetrain while pretty much everything is new, and while noisy valvetrains are pretty rare on M20 engines as far as I've experienced, a lot better compared to S14 engines for example.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
The machine shop called me today and the bottom end is rebuilt, I'll collect it on Tuesday, I expect it will take me about 2 weeks to get the old engine out, build up the new engine and get it installed (mainly because I am old and decrepit).
The top end I'm going with new cam (genuine) new rockers and eccentrics (done 500 miles, pattern), new rocker shafts. I'll check everything carefully and see how it works out.
The top end I'm going with new cam (genuine) new rockers and eccentrics (done 500 miles, pattern), new rocker shafts. I'll check everything carefully and see how it works out.
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Just a thought, make sure you clean out the cam spray bar, lack of lubricant will make the valve gear noisier and let it wear more.
1982 323i (S54 "Test Mule" - to be rebuilt into M20 powered track car)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - The refined S54 Race car)
1982 635csiA (New project)
1985 728iA (For Sale)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
1983 316 (Taiga Thunder - The refined S54 Race car)
1982 635csiA (New project)
1985 728iA (For Sale)
2004 330d Touring (The Daily Hack / Tow Car / Load lugger)
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
I'm thinking of a new spray bar as well just to be belt and braces
- BertjeConti
- E21 Mad
- Posts: 3007
- Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:49 pm
- My E21(s): E12 520-6
- Location: nederland , Weert
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
And install the excenters the right way around. Wrong way installed excenters ruin the valve stems.
Megasquirted '77 E12 520-6
Aspen Silver '96 E39 523i
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Install the eccentrics the right way round, could you explain this to me as I didn't know there was a right/wrong way?
- BertjeConti
- E21 Mad
- Posts: 3007
- Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:49 pm
- My E21(s): E12 520-6
- Location: nederland , Weert
Re: Noisy Valve Gear 323i
Check out this topic i wrote about the excentrics a few years ago:
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=23266
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=23266
Megasquirted '77 E12 520-6
Aspen Silver '96 E39 523i