valve adjustment??

[94325is]

is there any way to adjust the valve lash on a 94 325is besides the shim thickness between the cam lobe and the valve tip??

[Wayne 962]

Hi there. I'm a bit confused - the E36 cars have hydraulic lifters which don't have hydraulic lifters.

What are you trying to solve, noisy lifters?

-Wayne

[94325is]

yeah i dont want to admit it but i bet thats what im hearing but i thought there might be an adjustment as opposed to replacement. but just for laughs what does a job like replacing lifters involve ??

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

See the article (partial?) that Wayne recently posted about cam replacement. You have to do that when replacing the lifters, I believe.

--DD

[Wayne 962]

Before we start talking about replacing lifters, let's make sure that they need to be replaced. There are factory BMW bulletins on "curing" noisy lifters.

What are you trying to solve?

-Wayne

[94325is]

there really is no real problem but i do notice a clicking or ticking at idle sounds like valve noise i have 116,000 miles and it hasnt been driven real hard but what are the bullitens i have not read any for this symptom, but there is no lack of power and fuel economy is fine but there is a hissing noise at WOT under hard acceleration??

[Wayne 962]

I'll have to dig it out. Noisy lifters are just that - noisy. I think you would know if there was a problem. It is normal for them to make a little bit of noise when you first start up the engine and oil pressure hasn't built up quite yet...

-Wayne

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Apparently noisy lifters is common on these cars and should be no problem. At least that's what I've heard. I know of people that have replaced the lifters only to have the noise return after a few thousand miles. I'll look into any BMW buletins for this problem. Even if it is not a problem, there really should be no noise coming off them. At least thats what I think. Wayne is correct about them being noisy fisrt thing in the morning when you start it up and oil pressure hasnt built up in them.

Im also a little confused as to what you mean by valve shims. As I understand it, the only E36 motors that have these are the M3 motors, which use different thicknesses to set the valve lash. Pelican sells about 30 or 40 different valve shims in different sizes just for this.

[94325is]

yeah i guess thats what i have read about then (the M3 having shims) ok well then i guess i dont have anything to worry about but the hissing is kinda getting to me i dont notice it with the windows up but it sounds like a belt squeal at idle only with mine its a WOT and its not REAL loud just hissing almost like an intake noise, i did replace the belts cause they were old anyway but it didnt seem to help??

[Wayne 962]

Hissing? More details please?

-Wayne

[94325is]

high rpm, wide open throttle, under load ( getting on the highway) about 5000+ rpms, no hiss when below 5000 rpm ?? heard of anything like this it kinda sounds like a 454 intake screen on a boat engine ??

[Wayne 962]

Check the intake boot? It may have a crack that may be only opening when the car is opened? Just a thought...

How's the car running?

-Wayne

[94325is]

it runs fine but i think i will check that ive looked at it befor an never noticed anything but it could be that or a crak in the airbox housing ?? who knows but thats the right track does kinda sound like a vacumn leak

[Wayne 962]

There's an old trick where you can spray a bit of carb cleaner around the areas you think might have a vacuum leak. If there is a leak, the engine will surge a little bit (from injecting the carb cleaner). Do this very carefully though, as if you spray too much, it could ignite on the outside of your engine. Have a fire extinguisher handy just in case...

-Wayne

[94325is]

yeah ill prob do that this weekend ive done that befor on other motors so i know what you mean but thanks ill let you know how it goes