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Lifter noise.



Jimmy wrote:
   >Pardon the idiot question, but could someone please tell me what the
problem is 
>with valves making tapping sounds? I've had cars which routinely make this 
>sound including my present, really old, 3 series. Is this just an irritation, 
>or does it actually mean something more dire that I have to fix? On an older 
>car, I thought that adjusting the tappets would help, but I was never able to 
>get rid of the tapping. It never gave any problems though. So what gives?
>

Jim C responded to my query on this subject.  He stated that if you hear a
ticka ticka type sound at idle, its most likely LIFTER noise.  If you dont
hear it at idle, but at speed, (in my brothers case under throttle, with a
sound like marbles rolling around) its probably manifold intake noise.
Noisy lifters appear to be a trait of the M50 6 cylinder engines.  BMW
apparently has replaced quite a few severe cases under warranty.

Dont know what kind of damage is being done, if any.

Ron..(hope I quoted Jim correctly)