engine noise

[Andy2424]

After the winter break, I noticed that the engine is getting louder and louder.

M3 2002/7 138 TKM All series

Removed the lid yesterday and measured the compression.

1-4 10.5 bar 5-6 9,5 bar

I noticed that my 11337833259 rocker arms (do you say so in English?) Are retracted.

I think my cylinder head gasket is not always tight? The clack comes from the rocker arms.

What do you all mean?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/D4C5Np3opqvrt2zZ9

[mrgizmo04]

You possibly have a head gasket issue, based on compression results.

Does the car show any fault codes? Misfires?

Not sure what you mean by rocker arms are retracted. Retracted to where?

Initially I was going to suggest a valve adjustment, which might still be needed, but your compression results are on the low side and below spec, even for 1-4. Spec is 160psi (11bar), with acceptable variation of 7psi (0.5bar).

Engine old? How many miles or kilometers? Has it been serviced regularly?

Any other issues/behavior/symptoms to note?

[Andy2424]

You possibly have a head gasket issue, based on compression results.

Does the car show any fault codes? Misfires?

Not sure what you mean by rocker arms are retracted. Retracted to where?

Initially I was going to suggest a valve adjustment, which might still be needed, but your compression results are on the low side and below spec, even for 1-4. Spec is 160psi (11bar), with acceptable variation of 7psi (0.5bar).

Engine old? How many miles or kilometers? Has it been serviced regularly?

Any other issues/behavior/symptoms to note?

With Ista there are no codes! There are no other symptoms, the car drives well!

PMW Part 11337833259 Rocker Arm? Sorry I don't know the common name in English? Many have job vacancies.


The car has driven 138,000 km

I will replace the rocket arms, Repair kit valve seal ring, springs, rocker arm shaft, inlet, cylinder head gasket.

Grind in the valves again

I hope that my cylinder head is still okay

Thank you for your interest.

I will report back with the result ...

[mrgizmo04]

That's not a lot of km on the engine, that is only 85k miles, but, given that you are in Germany, I have heard/read that cars in Europe run leaner/hotter and can have head gasket issues, especially around cyl 5-6 where the air filter housing traps more heat from the header. Sorry to hear. Did your car ever overheat that was shown on the water temp or oil temp going over to the right/red on the dials? Reason I ask is the head is aluminum and can deform/warp, so have a machine shop check it for flatness as it would sit on the block. You might need to find a different used head of yours is no good.

Yeah I understood what the rocker arm was, I just didnt know what you meant by "retracted". Did you mean it has an indentation and wear where I marked in red?

[Andy2424]

That's not a lot of km on the engine, that is only 85k miles, but, given that you are in Germany, I have heard/read that cars in Europe run leaner/hotter and can have head gasket issues, especially around cyl 5-6 where the air filter housing traps more heat from the header. Sorry to hear. Did your car ever overheat that was shown on the water temp or oil temp going over to the right/red on the dials? Reason I ask is the head is aluminum and can deform/warp, so have a machine shop check it for flatness as it would sit on the block. You might need to find a different used head of yours is no good.

Yeah I understood what the rocker arm was, I just didnt know what you meant by "retracted". Did you mean it has an indentation and wear where I marked in red?

the car comes from southern Italy, it is 138,000 kilometers :-)

I'm already buying parts and if everything goes well I'll be ready in 3 weeks.

it is the bridges that go through.


I looked at the Rocker arms van cyl 4,5,6 and they were all flat on the red spot!

I have had the car for 2.5 years now and have driven it 30,000 kilometers. I also stopped the valves.

I'm already buying parts and if everything goes well I'll be ready in 3 weeks.

there are probably 2 problems I have ... I hope that they will not be 3 :-)

[mrgizmo04]

Cool. Good luck!

[Andy2424]

Cool. Good luck!

shit, I also need tools 🤦♂️ haha Thank you