BMW 318i Engine Problem

[robcole]

The engine in my E30 318i (M40 engine) seems to be very noisy but I cannot trace the cause of the problem.

A few weeks ago one of the tappets began ticking intermitantly and the car became difficult to start, expecially when hot (the revs would rise and fall for a few seconds before the engine would cut out altogether).

My local garage changed the tappets, followers and valve crowns and assured me that this would solve the excessive noise and the starting problem.

For about a week everything was fine, but now the starting problem is worse than ever and the tappets seem to have become excessively loud all of the time, especially when accelerating.

Can anyone please shed some light on what would be causing these problems (are they related?) as it is driving me mad................

I have since heard that the M40 engine suffers from camshaft problems. Could this be the cause, and if so how can it be cured?

Thanks for your help!!

[Kevin4Racing]

Have you checked your oil pressure. You oil pressure could cause noise by not pumping enough oil and pressure into the engine.

Kevin

[Rossco]

Don't know much about the M40 engine, but if like you say the camshafts have problems, then it might be that the cam-lobes have gone through their hardening, and are wearing out.
Have you lost any power as well?
It might be worth getting your garage to check the camshaft lift.
This will tell you if the lobes are wearing off.
And like Kevin4Racing says, check your getting enough oil pressure.

Rossco
1996 E36 320i