Metallic Rattle 2-3k rpm

[Maxima SE]

checked the compression on my E46 M3 today with warm motor and 71 degree outside. 175 psi even across the board with 10 cranks on each cylinder. I have to check my Z4M too but that thing only has 66k on it.

[Slideways]

Slideways my bad.

SteelGreyM could you please share the link to the picture you are referring to in post 26 of this thread.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/38038-oe-manufacturer-part-list/page3#post54234

[R60BBA]

Pictures are on ECS website. I believe SteelGreyM posted that one or two of those brands did not match the BMW seals. I could not find that post.

Slideways my bad.

SteelGreyM could you please share the link to the picture you are referring to in post 26 of this thread.

[Slideways]

Slideways could you please share the link to the picture?

Pictures are on ECS website. I believe SteelGreyM posted that one or two of those brands did not match the BMW seals. I could not find that post.

[elrichmeister]

I have the same rattle at 2-3k rpm in 6th gear cruising at 70-80 mph. I have full beisan vanos upgrades so I dont think its my vanos. The rattle also does not sound like the pinging noise you hear in the videos posted here. This thread got me nervous because I got two S54 equipped cars and really not looking forward to yet another major preventative repair. Ill do a compression test on both this weekend.

Well i tried to make to make the noise yesterday on my way home from work, but failed to create it. I'll have a shop do a compression test when i take it in.

[R60BBA]

Mmm, do you have that link to the picture where you visually compare the stem seals made by BMW, Corteco and Elring?

Slideways could you please share the link to the picture?

[lemoose]

It varies but usually around the 120k miles mark.

Although there are cars out there with 200k miles plus on the original HG and are not showing symptoms of HG failure.

As a reference point, im nearing 197k on what i presume to be the original head gasket as i got the car with around 100k miles- no hg symptoms. Although i do continue to battle this mysterious oil loss despite no visible leaks and most gaskets having been replaced recently (vcg,cpv, rms, oil pan, and even ofhg).

[Darbshaw]

So is a metallic rattle between 2-3k a death knell for a bad head gasket? I have some noise in that RPM range when there is some load on the engine and like quarter to half throttle. Initially i thought it was vanos rattle. I'll try to take a video clip

This was my exact sound and scenario for a dead head gasket. Was blown between everything but 4&5 iirc. Catch it early rather than pushing it. Had to do a full rebuild because I waited.


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[Maxima SE]

So is a metallic rattle between 2-3k a death knell for a bad head gasket? I have some noise in that RPM range when there is some load on the engine and like quarter to half throttle. Initially i thought it was vanos rattle. I'll try to take a video clip

I have the same rattle at 2-3k rpm in 6th gear cruising at 70-80 mph. I have full beisan vanos upgrades so I dont think its my vanos. The rattle also does not sound like the pinging noise you hear in the videos posted here. This thread got me nervous because I got two S54 equipped cars and really not looking forward to yet another major preventative repair. Ill do a compression test on both this weekend.

[elrichmeister]

So is a metallic rattle between 2-3k a death knell for a bad head gasket? I have some noise in that RPM range when there is some load on the engine and like quarter to half throttle. Initially i thought it was vanos rattle. I'll try to take a video clip

[dl.m3]

I can’t help but notice majority of head gasket failures are from UK? I wonder why if that is indeed the case. I could be out to lunch though.

[R60BBA]

At what mileage do these head gaskets start to crack?

It varies but usually around the 120k miles mark.

Although there are cars out there with 200k miles plus on the original HG and are not showing symptoms of HG failure.

[Maxima SE]

At what mileage do these head gaskets start to crack?

[R60BBA]

Almost all the M/S5X engines use these seals. If they are indeed NLA, hopefully someone who has rebuilt their M5X or S5X can recommend an alternative like Corteco, Elring or Victor Reinz.

Mmm, do you have that link to the picture where you visually compare the stem seals made by BMW, Corteco and Elring?

[Slideways]

Several UK BMW main dealers have informed me that they are NLA.

Leeman24 has them on their site as ‘not available’.

However, having had a quick look, the usual US suppliers (FCP Euro, ECS Tuning and Turner Motorsport) seem to have them in stock…

Almost all the M/S5X engines use these seals. If they are indeed NLA, hopefully someone who has rebuilt their M5X or S5X can recommend an alternative like Corteco, Elring or Victor Reinz.