90 E32 750 IL Engine Tap

[Sorvino]

Hey Guys,
Ive been searching for answers about this engine tap that has suddenly started happening. My sweet 750 just turned 300,000 miles, then this engine tap developed. At first i thought it was cheap gas so i filled it up with a higher quality petro, changed the oil 10w40 and oil filter. Still the tap. Ive used a stethoscope to try to isolate the origin of the tap, but I hear it on both sides of the engine, of all the injectors, i hear it on both valve covers. Its hard to say if its a lifter or valve. I don't hear it at any plugs or exhaust. I hear it on both fuel pressure regulators. The car seems to run fine, no hesitations, very strong and peppy for its age. Any Ideas?
Thanks!

[unity]

Probably a collapsed liter or two. In park, rev the engine past 3k RPM for a while (minutes if needed) and see if it goes away temporarily. I have been chasing a few down myself and plan to replace all come spring.

[CroughtonE32]

If you're thinking it may be your gasoline. You might want to try what I did starting right after my engine refresh. Although your motor is double the size of my M30, in 1990 no engines were meant to run on sugar (Ethanol). I hate that crap. Every gallon has at least 10% in it. I had noises that nobody could figure out back then. Even after replacing the fuel rail, all injectors fuel regulator etc. I was told about ethanol free gas with the lowest octane being 90. For two years now I've been using a gasoline called REC 90. It has made an amazing difference in how my car runs. Of course replacing everything under the hood simply to make things new again (other than the block) would help, but getting rid of the ethanol did even more than that. When I took a trip to Tampa, I found a Sunoco station that had it, as well as a marina, so I had choices. It's been almost two years now that I'm running Ethanol free, and it's an amazing thing. If you want to give it a try, here's a site that gives every station that carries Ethanol free high octane gasoline in the country. Just click on your state. I get mine usually at a place called Orion Gas station. Generic gas, but I spoke to the owner and asked where his ethanol free gas comes from, and he told me Chevron. I also use it for my home generator. Keeps that carb clean as a whistle. Check this out.
Jeff

http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp

[unity]

Ethanol is an alcohol, not a sugar. Most gas has UP TO, not at least 10%. I think a lot of people dont really know much about Ethanol and instead fear it for some really silly reason.

[CroughtonE32]

Ethanol is an alcohol, not a sugar. Most gas has UP TO, not at least 10%. I think a lot of people dont really know much about Ethanol and instead fear it for some really silly reason.

Could be. I'm only speaking for myself and my car. I used to hear excuses about my idle and the reason for it not being as steady as I would have liked it to be. Even during my first week of ownership back in Feb of 1990. The people from BMW of North America in Rahway New Jersey back then told me that in the design of the M30 motor, idle steadiness was given up for more power having something to do with the crank that was used in the M30. I'm not a mechanic, so I'm not sure what that means but it can be deciphered by somebody with more knowledge than me. I can say, as a Jr. mechanic, learning as I go, that since I changed to ethanol free gasoline, my idle has gotten as steady as a singer sewing machine. I have my engine on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhiZkLGPtqw and it's in my signature, but have a listen. On the side of the intake manifold you can hear the injectors clicking that leads some people to think they are in need of a valve adjustment. We know that's not so. When I move to the other side of the car and you don't hear the injectors, I can really hear it running smoother than it ever has. This has been my daily driver for almost 27 years. When you drive just one car all that time, every little thing that shows up.....the slightest difference in sound, a half inch difference in brake pedal travel, etc catches you quickly. Truly, this is just something I feel. and for my car at least, I'll continue with it. I used to use 93 octane, and I have no problem with 90 and 91 with the ethanol free.
Jeff

[masbury]

Since I'm not willing to rob a bank to afford ethanol-free gas, (stations around me charge $3.50++/galllon), I came across the greatest alternative known to modern man. https://shop.bellperformance.com/pro...thanol-defense

The best part is it actually works. I use it in all my cars (check my signature) and it not only improved the smoothness, power, overall better operation, it improved my mileage. The biggest gas-hog in my fleet is the SL500. That thing could suck gas out of a gas pump from 100 yards away when you drove by, now I have to fill it about half the time. I was truly impressed. It seems expensive, but you only use 1oz per 10 Gallons. They recommend using 2 oz per 10 gallons for the first 2 tanks, to clean out all the crap, the fuel system and the injectors, but after that only use 1oz.

For my '67 Buick which does not have hardened valve seats, there is also a top end lubricant to keep the valves from sticking to the seats.

Good stuff and no I don't have stock in the company and I don't work for them. The stuff just works great.

[CroughtonE32]

Sounds like a great product. Actually around here, Ethanol free gas cost me about the same as 93 octane. Oh, and I knew I wasn't crazy. I've always thought of Ethanol as some sort of sugar, or at least derived from sugar. So.......................when Shogun is asleep because afternoon here is middle of the night in Japan, I go to my other (but not as good) encyclopedia for WANNABEE mechanics like me. Google. Here's what I got.

Ethanol is produced from biomass mostly via a fermentation process using glucose derived from sugars (sugar cane, sugar beet and molasses), starch (corn, wheat, grains) or cellulose (forest products) as raw materials. In this form, it is renewable. Renewable or not, I'd like to keep "molasses" out of my gas tank, fuel pump, fuel rail and injectors. But that's just me....................

[unity]

Ethanol is an alcohol. Its not a sugar, its not a molasses. In fact, it makes a GREAT cleaning agent. Hence the use of E85 to clean out fuel tanks, lines, etc. Not matter, I know the physics you know the marketing. Its all good!

[CroughtonE32]

Ethanol is an alcohol. Its not a sugar, its not a molasses. In fact, it makes a GREAT cleaning agent. Hence the use of E85 to clean out fuel tanks, lines, etc. Not matter, I know the physics you know the marketing. Its all good!

Hey, I know nothing about physics. So i'll take your word that I'm not putting goo in my tank when I fill up at the local Mobil Station. I'm pretty used to my ethanol free station now, and I'm friends with the guy so I think I'll keep giving him my business. Just a good guy to talk to. He gets lots of older people like me with older and classic cars. Small local station, makes a lot of his money with the lawn guys coming in to fill up their equipment (lots of lawns in Florida), as well as large power boats pulling in for full tanks. Seems lots of marine engines use that REC 90 stuff. When u find something that works good for you you keep going with it. Like the oil I use. Same oil for 27 years. When something works, keep it going. Castrol GTX 20 W 50. Regular Oil No Synthitic. From day one. Four times a year, need it or not. Keep it fresh.
Jeff

[Sorvino]

Ok today I purchased some Miracle Mystery Oil and some 20w50 oil to see if i can free up any stuck lifters. According to some posts Ive read this has worked for other BMW owners. I will Keep you posted.

- - - Updated - - -

If I need to replace them, will i need to remove the timing chain and cam?

[CroughtonE32]

You mean Marvel Mystery Oil. My dad used to use that stuff back in the 50's. He was crazy about that. Used to mix it with the oil, with the gas I think, I even think he used it as shampoo. Back in those days you were either an STP person or a Marvel Mystery Oil person. Either way, one thing for sure, putting that stuff in with your oil will never harm anything. Might even do the trick for you. It's been known to work wonders. I'm glad to see it's still around. Now I'd like to see Bonomo's Turkish Taffy come back. "Smack it and Crack it"

[shogun]

If I need to replace them, will i need to remove the timing chain and cam?

No, hydraulic lifters we have done some, my jap. buddy has many pics on his website. text is in Japanese, you can try to switch to automatic translation to other languages, but bad automatic translations, the pics will show you anyway
http://e32b12.blogspot.jp/ go in the index to hydraulic valve lifter.
Each one has
bleeder bore
oil supply chamber
oil supply bore
piston
body
ball valve
tappet pressure chamber
return spring

read this in Spanish language, lot's of pics , SOLUCIONAR SONIDO A TAQUES EN BMW 750I E32 , Taqué nuevo frente a uno usado = new tappet vs used pics http://www.gti16.com/usr/coco/bmw_m7...70_taques.html

[Sorvino]

Thanks Shogun and CroughtonE32! VERY helpful posts. Ive ordered the valve spring tool and valve cover gaskets as the Mystery Oil hasn't had any effect. Im not exactly sure what i am looking for. I would think there wouldn't be any play on any rockers. I will check the banjo bolts on the oil rail. If theres a way to check the oil rail isn't clogged that would be great. Anything else I should take a look at

[sammittrue]

I had the same problem with my m70 at about 180k miles. I tried revving at 3pm for several minutes but I could she'll my torque converter hearing up so I tried marvel and a bunch of other products. I eventually used good old fashioned ATF. It helped but would reappear every now and than.

[sammittrue]

Revving at 3k not 3pm

[unity]

^ Huh?

[SergeBMW]

Sorvino, you may also want to order a set of intake manifold gaskets as it is required to remove the intake manifold to get to the valve covers. at 300k id recommend it.

Jeff, any worries of running REC 90 octane in the M30? would be nice to have a 93 station around here. 91 is usually my minimum with any of my German cars if in a pinch.

[CroughtonE32]

Sorvino, you may also want to order a set of intake manifold gaskets as it is required to remove the intake manifold to get to the valve covers. at 300k id recommend it.

Jeff, any worries of running REC 90 octane in the M30? would be nice to have a 93 station around here. 91 is usually my minimum with any of my German cars if in a pinch.

Serge,
I've been using Rec 90 without ethanol since my engine facelift two years ago. I fill up at Orion gas station on Militrary Trail a little north of Boynton Beach Blvd. Car runs great on it. Spoke to the owner and he says he gets all his gas from Chevron. Including the Rec 90. It's perfect and the car runs very clean. When I pull up to that red pump there is always a 20 year old car in front of me. Lots of older Mercedes and other BMW's. You'll see, it's like going to a car show.

[shogun]

Sorvino, you may also want to order a set of intake manifold gaskets as it is required to remove the intake manifold to get to the valve covers. at 300k id recommend it.

quite costly. So far we never had to buy new intake gaskets in our wrenching group for the M70, liquid seal is usually sealing fine. On my website there is a detailed write up with plenty of pics, about 60 pages, top end overhaul in section engine general.
There is also the possibility to buy silicone gaskets by Max Lumens http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...sket-refurbish

[SergeBMW]

quite costly. So far we never had to buy new intake gaskets in our wrenching group for the M70, liquid seal is usually sealing fine. On my website there is a detailed write up with plenty of pics, about 60 pages, top end overhaul in section engine general.
There is also the possibility to buy silicone gaskets by Max Lumens http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...sket-refurbish

Good to know, I saw how costly they were but didnt think there was an alternative.

[unity]

If I were to get new gaskets, I would only get OEM. And indeed, at $300 per side no cheap. But I have not had luck sealing mine, they might be too far gone but I am trying Max's gaskets this spring when I replace all the lifters.

[shogun]

Here another DIY: intake manifold gaskets soaked in silicone lubricant spray and placed in air tight clear plastic bags for some time https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...9#post29594469

[sammittrue]

Revving at 3k not 3pm

Wow not sure where my complete comment went.
What I was trying to say was...
Mine developed at around 165k miles and I tried marvel as well as a number of other brands and revving the motor at 3k rpms as BMW suggests but I could smell the torque converter so I stopped after just a few minutes. I ended up just using ATF and it went away for a while but occasionally would return.
Sorry for the confusion

[shogun]

Wow not sure where my complete comment went.

Because you deleted it: This message has been deleted by sammittrue.

I now undeleted it

[sammittrue]

Oh really ha ha. What the heck, how'd that even happen. Sorry guys,..