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Car Forum / BMW Cars / November 2007

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325 knocking,.. please take a listen.

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cosmo - 26 Nov 2007 10:44 GMT
Mp3 here:
http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3

I'm not that net savvy so I hope this works.

At 145k miles, my "previously owned" '88 325 makes this sound when I
first start it up. I've only owned it about 500 miles now and it's
getting more noticeable the colder the weather gets.
It's about 38F for this recording. It goes away after the car warms up
to operating temp. It taps if it's been sitting for a few hours during
the day til the temp comes up again but not this bad. It drives fine
and doesn't smoke or use much oil.
I had a little trouble with the recording so after the starter cranks
that's me turning the sound up a bit.
If anyone has any car mechanic type advice I'd be grateful.
Thank you.
R. Mark Clayton - 26 Nov 2007 16:30 GMT
> Mp3 here:
> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> If anyone has any car mechanic type advice I'd be grateful.
> Thank you.

Top end ish.

Does this car have hydraulic tappets?
Laurie Bridges - 26 Nov 2007 18:01 GMT
> Mp3 here:
> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> If anyone has any car mechanic type advice I'd be grateful.
> Thank you.

It sounds to me like hydraulic tappets - I had the same symptoms with my
previous BMW - but nothing to worry about. On my car the noise went away
after 10 or 20 seconds. Alternatively it could be injector noise?

Regards,

Laurence.

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Floyd Rogers - 26 Nov 2007 22:11 GMT
> "cosmo" <325er@zoooom.com> wrote
>> Mp3 here:
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> previous BMW - but nothing to worry about. On my car the noise went away
> after 10 or 20 seconds. Alternatively it could be injector noise?

An '88 325i would have an M20 engine, which does not have hydraulic
valve lifters.  Probably needs a valve lash adjustment.

FloydR
BBO - 27 Nov 2007 20:55 GMT
> An '88 325i would have an M20 engine, which does not have hydraulic
> valve lifters.  Probably needs a valve lash adjustment.

I have to agree. It either needs adjusting, or they are worn out. Take
off the top cover and visually inspect the valve train.

It also sounds like the timing belt is too slack or worn, just as the
engine starts.

It doesn't sound like injector noise, they are not that loud.

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winkie - 28 Nov 2007 16:16 GMT
> Mp3 here:
> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> If anyone has any car mechanic type advice I'd be grateful.
> Thank you.

I always try to look at the simpliest solution first.  Since it is
temperature sensative my first question is what type of oil are you using?
cosmo - 29 Nov 2007 03:50 GMT
>> Mp3 here:
>> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>I always try to look at the simpliest solution first.  Since it is
>temperature sensative my first question is what type of oil are you using?

It had dirty oil in it when I bought it. It made the same sound, same
symptoms then. I changed it using 10-30 chevron from costco at $20 a
case. It didn't make any difference that I could tell.
Thanks to everyone for their responses. It looks like the valves are
adjustable so I will put my best man on this weekend.
cosmo - 29 Nov 2007 03:56 GMT
>> Mp3 here:
>> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>I always try to look at the simpliest solution first.  Since it is
>temperature sensative my first question is what type of oil are you using?

10-30 chevron.
I forgot to ask,.. can anyone tell me what size the crank pulley nut
is so I can roll the engine over by hand to adjust the valves? The
Bentley manual seems a bit vague in describing this setup. It just
says, turn the engine until both cam lobes are generally pointing down
for each cylinder, and gives the order.
winkie - 29 Nov 2007 16:36 GMT
>>> Mp3 here:
>>> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> says, turn the engine until both cam lobes are generally pointing down
> for each cylinder, and gives the order.

Maybe try 5W-40.
Jack - 29 Nov 2007 22:05 GMT
>>> Mp3 here:
>>> http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> says, turn the engine until both cam lobes are generally pointing down
> for each cylinder, and gives the order.

32mm
Tom Wright - 29 Nov 2007 22:57 GMT
>>>>Mp3 here:
>>>>http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> 32mm

Isn't that engine supposed to use 20W-50?  My 1989 325i does.

And by the way, I find it easier to put the car in 5th gear and push it
a little to get to the correct valve timing position.  YMMV.
Robert - 29 Nov 2007 23:41 GMT
> Isn't that engine supposed to use 20W-50?  My 1989 325i does.
>
> And by the way, I find it easier to put the car in 5th gear and push it
> a little to get to the correct valve timing position.  YMMV.
What year did BMW go to synthetic??
cosmo - 30 Nov 2007 07:00 GMT
>>>>>Mp3 here:
>>>>>http://www.rockisland.com/~zephyr/boat/325knock.mp3
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>
>Isn't that engine supposed to use 20W-50?  My 1989 325i does.

The 1988 owners handbook just gives a chart based on climate
temperature, recommending different viscosities for different temps.

>And by the way, I find it easier to put the car in 5th gear and push it
>a little to get to the correct valve timing position.  YMMV.

whoops, should have mentioned it's an auto. can't have everything.
wish I had the heated seats!
 
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