Author Topic: e30 m42 header noise - pinging (Read 5334 times)

troman · « **on:** June 10, 2011, 12:36:07 PM »

Guys,

I'm hearing what sounds like a pinging noise coming from (I think) the headers. Car has stock headers, stock cat, and a Bosal replacement from the cat back.

Is this common?

At first it sounded like a rotational noise, as if there was a light weight flywheel. But I just changed the clutch with a stock dual mass fly, and I'm pretty convinced that there is some turbulence or something causing this noise in the header. It happens around 2500 rpm, but goes away above that.

The exhaust itself pretty much sounds like crap, but that may be beside the point.

I did notice when we had the exhaust down to replace the clutch that it looked like there were two square or rectangular inserts in the header where it collects into the two outlets where the exhaust bolts up. Is this common? Do people remove those? (I imagine they are there to smooth flow? - seemed strange).

TIA.

troman · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:39:09 PM »

Oh, that was my first post! I'm Tim, and I've been lurking for a while. I just parted/scrapped a 325e that rusted through the frame rail, and got a great deal on a 1991 318i sedan. California car with minimal rust. Needed a clutch, and some other maintenance (struts, brakes). 203k miles on the working odo.

Lots of great info here. Helped me decide on the M42.

Thanks!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:04:16 PM »

Glad you're on board. They are great cars. Mine's the same car...prod. date 8.90

I haven't heard any pinging from my car yet. Any related issues? Low power, sluggish, cuts out? Any O2 light on the cluster? Is the bulb still installed?

I haven't had the exhaust down yet, but RealOEM doesn't say anything about inserts...maybe post a pic?

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2011, 05:45:42 PM »

A lot of people complain about raspy noises from the exhaust, stuff that sounds almost like vibrating sheet metal. Pinging noises...not so sure. Any chance you can get a sound clip of it?

troman · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2011, 01:59:09 PM »

Thanks for the responses and welcome.

I think I figured it out....I'm 99% sure it's the heat shield for the cat that has come loose, and it vibrating against the cat/exhaust pipe at lower rpms. I bought some header wrap that I'm going to try and either stuff in the space between the cat and heat shield, or wrap a loop over either end or something. Just something to keep it from vibrating. It's driving me crazy.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2011, 02:43:33 PM »

I had a problem like that years ago. A shop did a crappy installation job on a replacement cat & it was crooked & hitting the shield. I think I used a rubber mallet to bend the shield enough to stop it.

troman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2011, 12:43:15 PM »

Thank you. I never pass up an opportunity to pound on something with the rubber mallet! I'm going to get under it tomorrow and see if I can make it stop.

Otherwise, I'm loving my 318.

troman · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2011, 03:54:36 PM »

Huh. Well, I've spot welded the heat shield back to the cat, and am STILL GETTING THE NOISE!!! It's sounds like a noise where the header where it connects to the exhaust from 1800 to 2500rpm.

*at first I thought it was the sound of a light weight flywheel
*then I thought it was the cat heat shield loose
*now I'm back to thinking it's turbulence in the header

It only occurs at that rpm range.

Warsteiner · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:19:52 AM »

Pinging or Detonation sounds like a jar full of coins, marbles etc... being shaken very hard. Does it sound like that?

~Ralph

DesktopDave · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:35:02 AM »

Some people have complained about the catalytic converter matrix coming loose, but I'm not sure that'd be your culprit.

I have the same rusted heat sheild troubles myself...haven't gotten 'round to fixing it yet.

troman · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2011, 03:38:51 PM »

Ralph,

Yeah, actually. It does sort of sound like that. And I'm trying to hear if I'm wrong about it emanating from the header area, and if it's coming from the engine itself. It only seems to occur in the 1800-2500 rpm range.

Mark D 93 oct chip (I always use 93 oct), new plugs (Bosch platinum Plus Four), new paper air filter, new fuel filter.

Warsteiner · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2011, 09:46:50 PM »

Detonation can be RPM specific but it would be coming from the engine area itself not just from the header area. I would check to see if you're header is on securely or if you're missing a few nuts first.

~Ralph

troman · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:40:39 AM »

So.....after all of this.....

It's the chain guides, I'm about 99.99% sure.

troman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2011, 11:02:21 AM »

Just had the timing chain done, and it solved the problem. Drives like a dream now...

troman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2012, 12:28:49 PM »

and now the pinging is back.