This could be 'spensive...

"GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo" (jackolson)
08/18/2014 at 09:08 • Filed to: Shit...

So my M3 has been making a new ticking noise for the last couple of weeks and has me really freaking out. The entire VANOS system was replaced less than 20k miles ago so I'm pretty sure its not that and it definitely is emanating from the valvetrain. Either way I took it to a very good local shop and got it inspected, the mechanic thinks it just needs a valve adjustment (which it is due for) however I have this sneaking suspicion it's something more serious. After reading through about 6 threads on M3forum.net I'm pretty sure my one of my rockers is stuck and is causing excessive wear on my camshaft.

Hoping it just needs the valve adjustment otherwise I'll of driven this car less than 10k miles and will be looking at close to $6,000 to repair it.

DISCUSSION (14)

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:20

Here's hoping it's nothing major!

Party-vi > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:22

Welcome to E46 M3 ownership! But really, I hope it's nothing serious.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:24

Car forums, the WebMD of the automotive world. Hope its nothing serious!

Cherry_man1 > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:26

Here is hoping its nothing too serious but if it is? roll it into that lake behind you.

BKRM3 > jvirgs drives a Subaru
08/18/2014 at 09:36

+1 - spend 15 minutes on the M3 forum and you'll be convinced your car is going to blow up next time you start it.

BKRM3 > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:37

I'm sure it's nothing big. Let the expert diagnose it!

Ilike_cougars > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:37

Get the valves adjusted, Its not a big deal , I was kinda freaked out as well, so I went around every E46 M3 in the cars and coffee listening to the engine sounds, It should be pretty soft not too much louder than the sound of the running engine.

RightFootDown > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 09:45

My o4 E46 M3 had a super noisy top end including ticking. The valve adjustment did the trick. That was at 135k miles. Now at 163k miles and still quiet.

I raise an eyebrow to the thought of a $6k top end rebuild. Good luck and keep us posted.

Shankems > jvirgs drives a Subaru
08/18/2014 at 09:46

"I started with shaking under braking, and now I know I've got a bad steering rack. And cancer. That too."

2222222222212 > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/18/2014 at 10:06

That beautiful car pictured is the one with the valvatrain noise? I hope its okay... Too good looking to be off the road.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Cherry_man1
08/18/2014 at 22:00

Too bad that one isn't mine...

boobytrapsandtreasure > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/08/2014 at 12:05

$6000?! Eff that! LS swap!

boobytrapsandtreasure > boobytrapsandtreasure
09/08/2014 at 12:07

I hope it's just what your mechanic is thinking. We'll have our collective fingers crossed for you.

willconltd > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/08/2014 at 21:50

First of all... Grow a pair. 2nd, is it a 2001-2003.5 M3? Then check to see if the recall was done. It should have been done, it was free. Otherwise, you should do it anyway. Its basically new bearings, a new oil pump, and a few other baubles.

If its a 2003.5+ S54 then you probably don't have that much to worry about.

VANOS can easily fail again if it wasn't repaired right. It sounds like you have marbles bouncing around in your engine. You can repair/replace it yourself. Its tedious, but its not rocket science. A trained professional could do it in a few hours, if you are a novice then add 10 times that amount of time, and then a little more.

As far as the valve adjustment goes, that's also not very difficult. You will need to get some feeler gauges and a new valve cover gasket. Then just check the clearances. There are lots of videos on how to do it. Just move the clip, slide the follower over, and check the clearance, then pull and replace shim if necessary. If you have a few out of spec, then go order replacement shims. They are a couple bucks each, but your car will sit in the garage until you get the parts. Then replace the valve cover, make sure you put the rtv in the rear valleys on the valve cover so it doesn't leak oil on your headers. (That really stinks too!)

So before you have a cow over silly things, take a deep breath. The S54 is pretty freaking robust and if you haven't already blown a rod out the side of the block, I wouldn't worry too terribly much. However, I also wouldn't be getting anywhere near redline, or for that matter driving it until you know what's wrong.

Feel free to take it to get an opinion from a mechanic. I suggest you bring your own Vaseline, as they will be charging you the BMW surcharge. Generally its pretty easy to do yourself. I have 5 S54 motors, and 4 of them are actually in cars. So I have seen it all. Just relax.