Would anyone know what this tapping is under my beamers hood?

[hatefuel66]

So cut long story short, bought me a 4 cylinder z3, perfect on test drive, then an influx of problems when I got home. First time I've admitted to my girlfriend I think I screwed up, If i had a hat I would have ate it, which I didn't so I decide just to eat my hair instead and laugh crazy eyed back at her. So the car has some kind of metallic knocking knocking from one of the cylinders, which I pin pointed by individually pulling spark plugs out. Happened to be cylinder three.

I recorded the noise with a high quality sound recorder as a lot cameras have bad mic's on them. The sound can be heard on my youtube page so I do apologize for the lack of creativity.

http://youtu.be/dt2lDb6T8XM

I appreciate the help, and sorry if i have posted this in the wrong spot.

Thanks

Matt

[Rudolph320i]

sounds like either a spark plug is loose or you have lifter tick. what oil are you running?

[anarekist]

sounds like your lifters.

[hatefuel66]

Castrol High mileage edge 0w 40, Other problems would be, no heater, exhaust pipe has water coming out of it and feels slightly moist. No white smoke but smells rich. typical steam when its cold outside but nothing when the weather is 70.

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Pretty sure the spark plug is in all the way, had it in and out about three times, took a piece of sand paper to it and checked spacing. It has power going to the plug as well. could hear a small arking.

[Rudolph320i]

If the plugs are in and torqued properly, then it could be a lifter issue.

[hatefuel66]

There is also a rust hole in the muffler, was in the garage lowing it down off jack stands and looked to the back and to my surprise a puddle of water, crazy enough i actually tasted the water from the exhaust pipe, looks, smells and taste like water lol

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I'm thinking about doing a tear down to the block to change out the head gasket, there are quite a few videos on the subject on youtube. could i fix the issue of the lifter while in the process of doing the gasket.

[testify]

Sounds like rod knock to ke.

Where did you buy the car? Private saler or dealer?

Most states have a law requiring dealerships to provide like a one month, 1000 mile warramty, and also a law allowing customers 72 hours to reneg on a deal.

If you bought it from any sort of a car lot, get it back there ASAP.

[hatefuel66]

I want to slap myself in the face, i bought it from a private seller. :/

[testify]

Eh, dont beat yourself up too bad.

Shit happens.

Look at the bright side, now youve got a real good excuse to swap in a more powerful motor!

[hatefuel66]

Has the original m44 1.9l motor in the car, is it difficult to change out motors? Went with the automatic, had a 89 corvette, 69 karmann ghia, 66 mustang ummm and a 2001 kia rio lol Pretty much all sticks. Got tired of sticks, so it would be a motor and a tranny. Sorry if my lingo's off a bit I'm an Englander man in Texas.

[montaillou]

Eh, dont beat yourself up too bad.

If you didn't get a PPI, which it sounds like you didn't, you should beat yourself with a bat!

Why wouldn't you get a PPI?

[Rudolph320i]

You said you narrowed it down by pulling spark plugs. what exactly happens when you pull the spark plug on cyl 3?

[hatefuel66]

Lol montaillou wtf is a PPI, If i knew what a ppi was i might have got one :P Sorry about that rudolph, Basically the obvious happens where it runs on three cylinders and idles rough, as soon as the spark plug is pulled from cylinder three the pinging goes away.

[Rudolph320i]

swap that spark plug to another cylinder and see if the noise follows.

[testify]

swap that spark plug to another cylinder and see if the noise follows.

He can try a different plug, but I doubt the sound of the piston slapping the cylinder head is going to cease.

[Rudolph320i]

He can try a different plug, but I doubt the sound of the piston slapping the cylinder head is going to cease.

Why would the piston be slapping the cylinder head?

[hatefuel66]

I should of got a ppi but didn't, Totally understand the risks of buying a car and it was from a private seller who let me take the car on the road and test it, everything seemed legit. I will try switching plugs, 150 percent sure that the plug was sparking as I could hear it as I pulled it with the motor running. I do appreciate the help guys. New to Bmw and i really do love this car, Even if i get taunted by everyone about how its a hairdressers car - My response :P James bond drove it lol Nothing a body kit and a black paint job cannot fix...

[testify]

Why would the piston be slapping the cylinder head?

Rod bearing failure.

[hatefuel66]

Just waiting for the maf sensor to dry and i will fire her up and be back with the progress

[Rudolph320i]

Rod bearing failure.

The knocking sound heard during rod bearing failure is the rod knocking around on the crankshaft, not the piston hitting the head. If the clearance was that bad your crank would have been nearly destroyed long before that happened.

[testify]

Clearance?

You think there is a lot of space between the piston and the head/valves at TDC?

[hatefuel66]

K got the sensor in and changed two of the spark plugs around and its still pinging.

[Rudolph320i]

Clearance?

You think there is a lot of space between the piston and the head/valves at TDC?

Theres enough that before the piston hits the head, the rod on the crank will make a knocking sound. Ive pulled apart a few engines that had rod knock and never saw any evidence of the piston hitting the head.

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K got the sensor in and changed two of the spark plugs around and its still pinging.

Well it very well could be rod knock, easier way to tell is if you have a stethoscope you can listen at the valve cover and down on the crankcase to see where it is loudest. Low on the crankcase points to rod bearing issues.

[hatefuel66]

So rod bearing failure, So the ticking should be more audible from the lower portion of the engine. Would i have not found metal in the oil? It wasn't completely glittery but you could see a couple of sparkles.

[Rudolph320i]

So rod bearing failure, So the ticking should be more audible from the lower portion of the engine. Would i have not found metal in the oil? It wasn't completely glittery but you could see a couple of sparkles.

Generally you will find metal in the oil, but this also depends on when it was last changed and how long its been driven on that old oil.
If you still have the old oil drag a magnet through it.