approximate E30 engine lifespan?

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cosmo - 15 Nov 2007 08:09 GMT

I know, depends how you drive, warm up, change the oil etc. but
still,.. is there some kind of accepted ball park figure?
Mine is a 1988 325, 2.7L Auto mostly driven short distances. It just
turned 145k and there is a noticeable knock at cold start idle which
goes away after the temp comes up to normal. The car has reasonable
power, doesn't use excessive oil, runs smoothly and doesn't leave any
smoke behind.
Should I resist the urge to add Marvel Mystery Oil?

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Dave Plowman (News) - 15 Nov 2007 09:36 GMT

> I know, depends how you drive, warm up, change the oil etc. but
> still,.. is there some kind of accepted ball park figure?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> smoke behind.
> Should I resist the urge to add Marvel Mystery Oil?

Interesting. Bearing knock cause by excessive clearance (wear) isn't
really temperature sensitive. If heard at cold start up it usually
disappears as soon as the oil pressure builds up. Until terminal.
Might it be more of a tapping noise than knock? If so possibly piston slap
or tappets which can vary with temperature. Neither of which too much to
worry about.
Bearings can be checked to some extent by doing an oil pressure check.

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Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
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Floyd Rogers - 15 Nov 2007 16:53 GMT

> cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
>> I know, depends how you drive, warm up, change the oil etc. but
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> smoke behind.
>> Should I resist the urge to add Marvel Mystery Oil?

Don't! add that crap.

> Interesting. Bearing knock cause by excessive clearance (wear) isn't
> really temperature sensitive. If heard at cold start up it usually
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> worry about.
> Bearings can be checked to some extent by doing an oil pressure check.

I agree with Dave, here. IME, bearing knock is *less* usual at start
because the oil in the journals is so stiff. When my wife's '77 320i
failed, you could drive it several blocks before it would start knocking.
I'd look at tappets (adjust) and accessories before worrying about things.
Do you have the A/C always on? Compressors knock quite a bit.

That engine can easily go another 100K miles.

FloydR

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cosmo - 16 Nov 2007 05:21 GMT

>> cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
>>> I know, depends how you drive, warm up, change the oil etc. but
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
>Don't! add that crap.

good, it was $6 a jug anyway,..

>> Interesting. Bearing knock cause by excessive clearance (wear) isn't
>> really temperature sensitive. If heard at cold start up it usually
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>I'd look at tappets (adjust) and accessories before worrying about things.
>Do you have the A/C always on? Compressors knock quite a bit.

no, it doesn't work and it's a.s kicking cold here .

>That engine can easily go another 100K miles.

wow, you mean without a rebuild?

>FloydR

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BBO - 17 Nov 2007 10:11 GMT

> wow, you mean without a rebuild?

For what it is worth: my '90 318i has 280k on the clock, does not use
oil, runs great and have just some mild tappet knocking on startup. I am
more worried that the rust will take her away than the engine fails.

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