95 m3: Loud ticking/tapping on cold start, goes away with a quick rev...?

[naudlee]

Recently acquired a nice 1995 m3, original s50 engine, pretty sound as far as the car goes, but one thing bothers me...

When I let the car sit overnight, upon first start up, I get a loud ticking/tapping noise... it goes away in 10-20 seconds or instantly if you blip the throttle a tad.

The previous owner told me it's had mobil1 15-50 in her for the past 3 years of ownership, changed religiously. I live in Massachusetts, where winter is cold, plain and simple...

I'm wondering if this is common? It's almost as if its too thick at cold start and the valves/lifters/etc. will tick for a moment until proper oil pressure is built up?

The car does not tick like that any other times, and is pretty quiet as far as these clanky motors tend to be, no dieseling Vanos/etc...

any insight? THANKS

[rayesc]

It happens even in my E21 and consider it normal for our cars. Takes time for oil to get all the way up and you get ticking till then.

[naudlee]

its just very loud, then goes away...

any recommendations on a different oil maybe a lighter one, 5 or 10w-40 rotella T I've read is a great oil and cheap @ walmart, or something, to help aid in the noise?

[KnudsonsM3]

8 quarts is ftw.

Walmarts sell Mobil 1. I use their 0w 40 on my 323 and 15w 50 on my M.

8 quarts is only 42 dollars.

[LuxoM3]

Try using Shell or Castrol... you'll find the more "European" oils run a bit quieter in the E36 M3s.

[naudlee]

motor sound fine other than cold start for 30 seconds, tap tap tap tick tick tick...

which weight should I try out. I have 8 quarts of mobil1 0-40 left over from my stolen Audi s4, but didnt think that would be the best to run in this car.

any validation on the Shell Rotella-T 5 or 10-40

just want the oil pressure to build up a little quicker, the noise just bugs me whether it be nothing at all or not.

[BavarianLove]

Try Amsoil European Blend.

[Vonbimmer]

I've had good luck with Rotella T 5w40 in my S50 and my brother is running the Rotella dyno In his S50 which is now very quiet at startup.

[naudlee]

I will be going turbo in the future, how does the rotella-t in 5-40 stack up?

General concensus on the shell stuff is its a great deal, just want some opinions.

I will be going turbo in the future, how does the rotella-t in 5-40 stack up?

General concensus on the shell stuff is its a great deal, just want some opinions.

[M-technik-3]

It's the hydraulic lifters bleeding down over night, it happens! You will notice it in the summer as well. As soon as you start the engine the oil pump gives pressure and oil to the engine the life blood of it.

How Often did the last owner change the oil? Longer times between changes tend to varnish the engines regard less of what oil they use. Give it a flush come spring and run a good oil/filter change regiment. Unless you want to open the engine and replace out 24 valve lifters.

It's the hydraulic lifters bleeding down over night, it happens! You will notice it in the summer as well. As soon as you start the engine the oil pump gives pressure and oil to the engine the life blood of it.

How Often did the last owner change the oil? Longer times between changes tend to varnish the engines regard less of what oil they use. Give it a flush come spring and run a good oil/filter change regiment. Unless you want to open the engine and replace out 24 valve lifters.

[Balthazarr]

Why is bfc double-posting?

[35nhma]

maybe a similar issue: new thread started here:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...3#post30592363