Engine Tapping

Thanks beanie - much appreciated. I hope so too!

I'll draw out a list from your post and ask them to check or confirm they're done.

I'm not a fan of paying for garages to investigate problems with guesses, especially if I'm next funding a £360 guess that would only point to a £1500 part - would kind of hope they'd know or be able to figure it out.

At this point I'm thinking of grabbing the car back over the weekend and re-assessing the options. I'd put it in anticipating a quick valve shimming job, and they were apparently out on the exhaust side but not the source of the noise (would this not make any noise of its own? i know the cam side it should?)

Thanks again.
 
Apologies if I've missed this above, but when was the oil last changed?

My M3 track car (albeit S50 B32 engine) used to get very tickety after 3 or 4 track days, fresh oil change quietened it down. The car was also used on the road, so I changed the oil every 2k or 3k miles. Will change it every 3k or 4k on my Z4M.

If you get the oil from ECP and genuine filter you can do a DIY oil change for about £60.
 
Weirdly simple but nobody has mentioned that - went straight in for shims.


Oil will of been done 8-9k miles ago (1 year) with insp2.

Its a specific noise, rather than 'general' noise but it does seem that some people change oil pretty regularly (way more often than the service schedule). worth a shot?
 
Well if you're going to start with the simple stuff, it doesn't get much simple than that, or cheaper. Besides, it won't take you long if you have the tools and space.

My M3 got noisy at the front end too, mates used to wind me up it sounded like a taxi. Was always paranoid it was the vanos getting rattly.

Great guide here - http://www.billswebspace.com/Z4MS54OilChange.htm

ECP are doing 4 litres for £31.50. I think you need 5.5 litres. Then then buy 2x 1 litres or another 4 litres, as I did.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_Z4M+Roadster_3.2_2006/p/car-parts/car-lubricants-and-car-fluids/lubricant-and-fluids/engineoil/?521770981&1&340da138a61763c9262c609ad8e04a88b433c945&000398
 
Sadly lacking the both the tools and the space.

I'd really love to rent some equipped garage space and take some days off work to investigate myself, but i don't know that's something you can do?
 
jimmybell said:
Weirdly simple but nobody has mentioned that - went straight in for shims.


Oil will of been done 8-9k miles ago (1 year) with insp2.

Its a specific noise, rather than 'general' noise but it does seem that some people change oil pretty regularly (way more often than the service schedule). worth a shot?
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My Indy has reset my service indicator to halve the intervals between services. I do the inspections on schedule but perform at least two oil services between inspections as my car sees a lot of track time. The S54 is certainly more tappety with hot, thin oil that's had multiple heat cycles to high engine temperatures.
I think you should directly ask the garage the condition your can lobes as my money is still on this being an oil supply issue to the cams.
 
Agree on double checking the lobes or worn rocker arms. My quick search this morning came up with a few examples of worn cam lobes

One example

http://www.bimmerboost.com/showthread.php?51040-Ported-head-Schrick-cams-Evolve-Alpha-N
 
Apparently they were fully checked and not the cause (i've asked about 3-4 times)

I guess my next question - should i be paying for works to resolve a problem, that didn't actually turn out to be the cause? And is there any way i can get proof valve shims were done?

I'm feeling like i should take it elsewhere if this guy is out of his depth, but i've no guarantee whether garage1 won't end up being right and i end up stumping some more bills for works that dont fix the problem at garage2. Eugh.
 
jimmybell said:
Apparently they were fully checked and not the cause (i've asked about 3-4 times)

I guess my next question - should i be paying for works to resolve a problem, that didn't actually turn out to be the cause? And is there any way i can get proof valve shims were done?

I'm feeling like i should take it elsewhere if this guy is out of his depth, but i've no guarantee whether garage1 won't end up being right and i end up stumping some more bills for works that dont fix the problem at garage2. Eugh.
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Would it be worth taking to a decent BMW dealership and getting the investigative work done there? At least you should then know. You can but ask?
 
spareone3 said:
Would it be worth taking to a decent BMW dealership and getting the investigative work done there? At least you should then know. You can but ask?
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Well - would anything be different there?
 
jimmybell said:
spareone3 said:
Would it be worth taking to a decent BMW dealership and getting the investigative work done there? At least you should then know. You can but ask?
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Well - would anything be different there?
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Does such a thing even exist?

I'd stick with decent Indy's Jimmy. Munich Legends love their S54's (I know Stuart is having an engine rebuild on his E46 M3 at present). Could be worth getting them to have a look. I've been very impressed by their customer service and knowledge of ///M cars.
 
spareone3 said:
jimmybell said:
Apparently they were fully checked and not the cause (i've asked about 3-4 times)

I guess my next question - should i be paying for works to resolve a problem, that didn't actually turn out to be the cause? And is there any way i can get proof valve shims were done?

I'm feeling like i should take it elsewhere if this guy is out of his depth, but i've no guarantee whether garage1 won't end up being right and i end up stumping some more bills for works that dont fix the problem at garage2. Eugh.
Click to expand...

Would it be worth taking to a decent BMW dealership and getting the investigative work done there? At least you should then know. You can but ask?
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I would say avoid a dealership. They won't have a clue and will start replacing things until it's fixed. I expect it would be very expensive. Get it in with a decent Indy mate who you can trust.

Where are you based?
 
Yeah - i had a chat with him but without taking the car to all of them to have a look i'm not sure what i can do. I'm going to get a better video tonight.

Based on CPC PE's experience rebuilding VANOS i think they're probably best placed to rule that out - and save me the largest potential money.

I'm going to get some different opinions and go from there - as it's such a minor sound, i don't expect an impending engine explosion to warrant a huge spend trying to quickly replace huge components.
 
CornishRob said:
Where are you based?
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SW London - So far i have the choice of MunichLegends or CPCPE, i'm leaning towards CPCPE as getting to work is easier from there, and they have a policy of actively rebuilding VANOS units rather than replacing, so you'd help their experience would help rule that out.
 
We may have a solution to this - however i'll probably wait until it's singing happily before i announce the cause and resolution.

Lets just say i'm slightly annoyed, and also somewhat relieved.
 
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