Author Topic: Uh Oh....Engine making bad noises... (Read 3250 times)

bimmerfahrer · « **on:** August 02, 2008, 09:08:15 PM »

So, I just recently finished replacing just about all of the suspension and driveline components on my '91 318iC(read $3-4 K in new parts). Driving earlier this morning, rather agressively on the revs (not really speeding), after lifting the engine stalled. I was able to pop start it and continued on. Later I drove my car back to my house, when about 1/2 mile away, had the same problem, only this time I heard some bad noises coming from the engine. Got it into my garage and up on jack stands, drained the oil and then removed the lower oil pan...and found a bunch of pieces of metal (UH OH!). I'm going to continue to break down the engine, but was curious if anyone has any ideas on what this might be. Oil Pump? And, am I wasting time ripping the engine apart? I'm concern about the metal shavings make their way through to various places within the engine. What really gets me is that the engine only has 83K on it..

Any comments are appreciated.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2008, 10:32:41 PM »

Not to say that you are facing an absolute catastrophic failure, foreign metal in the oil pan isn't good. You should read through sheepdog's thread about his issue and see what other people say who have first hand experience. I for one, have none.

http://m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2008, 07:03:03 AM »

Thanks for the link... I search prior to posting, but for some reason I thought it was a oil pump issue. And yes, when I saw the metal shavings in the lower oil pan, I knew it wasn't going to be good (and expensive). In fact, even the noise sounded expensive...

I've not yet read through the whole like, but what's interesting is sheepdog mentions the Timing Chain Tensioner may play a role. I recently changed mine....

I'm not sure if I'll get to it today, but I'll be sure to take some pictures of the internal carnage.... :eek:

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2008, 02:08:22 PM »

Yeah that's the issue really, the tensioner may have actually put too much pressure on the old chain, causing it to finally give out. Any really, it doesn't have to even break but there are small cylindrical pieces that fit into the sprockets that actually break and make there way into the pan, into the oil pump, and cause major problems. I would pull the valve cover and try to check for anything out of the ordinary with the chain, maybe sheepdog will stumble upon the thread and offer some advice.

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2008, 07:06:52 PM »

Thanks.. I pulled the valve cover yesterday afternoon and everything seemed to be intact. I spent this afternoon removing bits in order to make my way in to remove the upper and lower timing case covers. I also removed the oil filter, of course there were plenty of little metal shavings in their....:eek: Once I get all of the bits off and remove the timing case covers I'll know better what I'm up against.

One thing I'm searching for now is a diagram of the oil flow. Specifically, does it come up from the lower pan, then through the filter before it's delivered to the rest of the engine? If so, then I'm hoping that all of the little metal bits stopped at the filter and not distributed through the rest of the engine. I'm sure there's someone on here who knows the answer to that question...

Stay tuned for more updates and of course pictures of the shavings found in the lower pan...

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2008, 07:35:28 PM »

Well, I've removed the upper oil pan as well as the upper and lower timing case covers. Whilst everything's intact, the sprocket on the crankshaft definitely has some sharp teeth and will most certainly be replaced. But, I bigger issues at hand. It appears as if the metal shavings made their way into the oil passageways in the block and ended up in the crankshaft bearings. As a resulte, the added friction seems to have caused at least one of the crankshaft bearings to spin... And, from the little I could see, it appears as if the crankshaft has been scarred... Looks like I'm going to have more knowledge of the internals of the M42 after all of this is done... Wish me luck!

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2008, 07:26:01 PM »

OK, well yesterday I finished disassembling the engine and found that I had spun a Con Rod bearing as well as a crank bearing :eek: (4th from the front w/ Thrust bearing). When I removed the shell from the block, I found a nice notch / scratch in the block... I don't have any experience with this, but I'm guessing that there's nothing a machine shop can do with something this wide or deep. If I get a chance I'll take pictures of everything that I've been looking at.

If anyone has any insight as to what extent a machine shop can work with, I'd greatly appreciate any insight you may have.

Thanks!
bimmerfahrer

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2008, 11:51:23 AM »

Quote from: bimmerfahrer;54716

OK, well yesterday I finished disassembling the engine and found that I had spun a Con Rod bearing as well as a crank bearing :eek: (4th from the front w/ Thrust bearing). When I removed the shell from the block, I found a nice notch / scratch in the block... I don't have any experience with this, but I'm guessing that there's nothing a machine shop can do with something this wide or deep. If I get a chance I'll take pictures of everything that I've been looking at.

If anyone has any insight as to what extent a machine shop can work with, I'd greatly appreciate any insight you may have.

Thanks!
bimmerfahrer

Sorry to hear about your internal destruction! Hope things work out i can't wait to see some pictures of the chaos that went on inside your motor.

nickmpower · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:50:18 PM »

your best bet is to just swap a junkyard engine in. try car-part.com. you can use an engine up to 95

bimmerfahrer · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2008, 08:58:34 PM »

I have the pics on my camera, but I haven't had a chance to copy them to my computer. I promise I'll get them up as soon as I get a chance...

As for a engine, I have another M42 that I removed and completely disassembled from a "rust bucket" 318iS. I'll be using the block and crank from it. I'll have to sort through the Con Rods to find the "best" four. I've been in touch with Metric Mechanic and will be using their Crank and Con Rod bearings (thanks to the tip from colin86325). I now know about this weak spot with the 180 degree thrust bearing vs. 360 degree Thrust Bearing.

So, everyone can wish me luck with the rebuild..... Any hints, tips or suggestions are welcome. I've heard the upper timing case cover is a "real joy" trying to compress the profile gasket...

stay tune for pics of the damage...

Cheers,
bimmerfahrer