Author Topic: M42 Oil Pressure & Lifter Tick (Read 9084 times)

txleadfoot · « **on:** March 04, 2008, 11:54:19 AM »

I have a new-to-me �92 318ic w/58k miles since November �07. Upon engine start, the oil pressure light stays on for about 5 seconds. After a few minutes of driving when the engine is up to temperature, the lifters are crazy loud. I mean it sounds like a vw diesel rabbit! A few weeks after purchase, I changed the oil using Mobil 1 15w-50, which I have been using in my 318is forever and swapped the timing chain tensioner. No change.

I can see from the previous owner�s receipts that the water pump has been replaced, so that makes me wonder if an overheat caused the hydraulic lifters to seize.

This past weekend, I rigged an Oil Pressure Gauge tool from Harbor Freight and adapters to get some readings after the engine was warm:

Idle      14 psi
3000 RPM:   40 psi
6000 RPM:   62 psi

Does this sound normal? Would there be any benefit to removing the valve cover to observe oil flow with the engine running? Where do the lifters get their oil pressure from?

Someone suggested trying Seafoam. Does anyone have any miraculous experience with this stuff? I�m looking for a last ditch effort in freeing the lifters before I replace them.

Thanks,
Shaun
Lone Star Chapter
�91 318is X2
�92 318ic

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2008, 04:40:32 PM »

yeah i do. I have used seafoam and it works great. I don't use 15-50 oil I use 20w-50 though. I have learned that my motor runs better with a thicker motor oil. Don't remove the valve cover you'll end up with oil in your face. Find a german car guy around your area. I mean a mechanic that is german, speaks german and a little english, and works on german vehicles. OK. ask him about METALYZ 8 and where you can get it. This stuff is made in Switzerland. It will cost you @ $36. Use this with your next oil change. OR USE THE Lubro_Moly/Liqui-Moly MoS2 anti-friction WITH your next oil change. One of these two additives should solve your problem. K

tjts1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:12:22 PM »

Read this thread.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594

shutter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:24:23 PM »

Oil light on for 5 seconds sounds suspect. That never happens to me, even with sub-zero temps. I use thinner oil, but I live in a colder climate and switch out for the winter. Maybe pull the lower pan to check for bolts/timing components blocking the oil pump. It's important to do on our cars anyhow.

Nice low mileage car! Mine only has 78k and I'm currently collecting parts for a timing chain/gear replacement. My gears are pointy as hell, even with my low miles. Pan checked clean at least :rolleyes:

Edit: tjts1 beat me to it typing this up at work!

txleadfoot · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2008, 02:13:37 PM »

After a few cans of the Seafoam not working, I replaced the lifters and timing chain tensioner a few weeks ago, and did an oil change using Mobil 1 15w-50. I also dropped the oil pan and re-torqued all the bolts (none fell out). BTW the cam gears look fabulous. So, I had a spare oil canister housing in case the oil pressure relief valve was faulty. Just started it up and it sounds the damn same! ARGGGHH!! (Krusty Krab)

Here are my oil pressure readings:
Idle cold: 25 psi
Idle warm: 15 psi
2000 RPM: 30 psi
2500 RPM: 40 psi
3500 RPM: 50 psi
4000 RPM: 60 psi

Do those sound OK? Is there some way the top end is not getting enough oil? This is all too weird for such a low mileage M42.

Thanks

nomad · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2008, 05:58:57 PM »

bad oil pump? clogged oil passages?

txleadfoot · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2008, 06:44:36 PM »

Is it possible to unclog any suspected clogged oil passages from the top end if I remove the cams?

KenC · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2008, 09:51:20 PM »

I've heard of people running some ATF in their oil for a little while. It has a detergent in it and can clean out the hydraulic lifters... I think there's a thread on here about it.

kowalski · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2008, 11:05:02 PM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;47506

I've heard of people running some ATF in their oil for a little while. It has a detergent in it and can clean out the hydraulic lifters... I think there's a thread on here about it.

uhh.... interesting. Diesel oil would be much safer, and it also has many more detergents.

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2008, 07:36:57 AM »

Your pump pressures look good.
From my experience, once you have tried to clear the lifter passages with solvents with no success, then the only thing you can do is remove them and try to disassemble and clean, or replace them. There is some type of particulate matter clogging the passages, and no solvent will remove it. You can try to isolate the noise to a small group of lifters to save on money, but if you buy the VW lifters you are only spending $170 to replace all of them.

sheepdog · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2008, 05:59:20 PM »

Diesel is considered better. Only use it for 30 minutes or so.

ATF will damage any rubber seals. It can be beneficial for a VERY short time to soften hard ones, but it is easy to go too long and they just keep swelling and expanding, before long every seal is leaking like a sieve.

Seafoam is VERY hit or miss. I have heard few good things, and I have heard HORROR stories (to the tune of $5000).
From what I have seen, BMW motors hate it.

You could clean some oil passages from the top but it requires cam removal or at least the top bearing caps. May as well pull the cams, clean the lifters and re-time the engine though.

txleadfoot · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2008, 09:45:54 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys. Before I tear down the engine, I'll pull the cams and see what I can find in the oil passages. Someone here at work suggested using 150psi compressed air to clear the blockage, but warned of blowing out seals. I wonder if I can get to the blockage with a long pipe cleaner type attachment. Does such a thing exist? Baby bottle cleaner? ;-)