Author Topic: M42 sat for a while, valvetrain now ticking. (Read 3763 times)

waldo · « **on:** June 21, 2009, 09:08:57 AM »

When baby (and the E46) came, I parked my M42 for a while since it needed driveline work that I didnt have time to do. That was 3-4 months ago. Now that its 95+ deg outside and 95% humidity, I feel I need to pay it some attention.

There is what I am guessing a valve train tick that does not go away. If it sat for a few days previously there would be chair whir on startup, but only for a few seconds before the oil fully circulated. Now the tick does not go away after a few seconds; it is persistant on several starts.

I did a lot to the motor before I parked it: new plugs, compression test (185-190 on each cylinder), new valve cover gasket, cleaned the intake manifolds, mustang injectors, throttle body delete, new vacuum hpses, new icv, cleaned maf.

Any ideas on things I can check? It is not throwing any codes. I have not run the motor longer than a minute at a time. Semi-fresh Syntec 10w40 in it now.

Wizard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2009, 09:16:30 AM »

M42's have hydraulic lifters. When the vehicle sits for any length of time, the lifters loose the oil in them the engine needs to build up oil pressure to fully "expand" the lifter. try revving the motor a bit....BE EASY...
The ECU will not through a fault code as technically nothing is wrong...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2009, 09:40:00 AM »

Use some Sea Foam, maybe <1/2 can in the oil. Just be sure to change the oil afterwards. It should loosen that stuck lifter and clean the engine internals nicely.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:16:10 PM »

Waldo, you must be in the south east, sounds like the weather we have right now in virginia.

As far as the noise goes, the engine has hydraulic lifters as wizard stater and need to "pump up",the best thing to do would be to drive it around the neighborhood. As far as sea foam, I would never put it in anything, some engines will have deposits built up in the and if you put sea foam in them it will break up the deposits and can potentially ruin your engine. Also keep in mind that these engines are inherently noisy.

KenC · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2009, 01:08:09 PM »

Run a quart of ATF in your oil for a while. The detergents will clean a lot of the junk out of the lifters

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2009, 01:29:23 PM »

atf will also swell up any leaking seals that you have

waldo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2009, 01:35:30 PM »

I will try to drive it around this afternoon. I am hesitant on the SeaFoam as this is a high mileage motor, but I might try to do the ATF if a short drive is unsuccessful.

It has been miserable in SC here. Today has actually been halfway livable.

Thanks for your replies. Ive missed this little car. The 330i simply lacks its spirit.

waldo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2009, 03:14:30 PM »

That worked, guys, thanks. You rock.

doitover · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:16:26 AM »

I came across this link while researching what to do with my clicking lifters. After three days of driving to work mine have also quieted down.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/48377/toubleshooting_bmw_hydraulic_bucket_tappet_problems.aspx

DesktopDave · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:22:23 AM »

That is some incredible detail there, isn't it? Nice find!