M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: dr_erni on April 30, 2011, 09:25:41 PM

Title: Help plz: 318is Diesel-like noise
Post by: dr_erni on April 30, 2011, 09:25:41 PM

Hi all,

I would really appreciate your help with this problem.

[WHAT]
Diesel-like noise coming from the engine bay
Almost sounds like a tractor

[WHEN]
1 - At start-up, if it was a cold night. Only for a second or two and then no noise after.
2 - After driving at 110 Km/h for prolonged periods (1.5 hours today). After turning the car off and restarting in a couple of minutes, there was no noise.

Thank you and cheers,

e.

Title: Help plz: 318is Diesel-like noise
Post by: DesktopDave on April 30, 2011, 10:24:58 PM

What model, e30?  Could be a lot of things...might be a hydraulic tappet, belt-driven accessory (A/C, Alt, pump) bearing, the timing chain tensioner or the timing chain guides.

Have you done much work on the car?  Anything with the motor?  Change the oil recently?  Go to a really thin synthetic?

If it's not very frequent, I'd just keep an ear out for it.  If/when it starts more often, then tear it all apart to check & see.

Title: Help plz: 318is Diesel-like noise
Post by: dr_erni on April 30, 2011, 10:35:45 PM

It's a 1992 318is, so E36.

Before I bought the car, all work was done by the BMW dealership in town, without any issues. I've done no work to it aside from regular oil changes.

I'm using full synthetic 5-50, and it's due for another change very soon.

After a bit more research, it sounds like it might be the cam chain tensioner?

Title: Help plz: 318is Diesel-like noise
Post by: Warsteiner on April 30, 2011, 11:29:52 PM

Tractor like sound :)= timing chain tensioner

Cheers,
~Ralph