re: clatter

[jkerouac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

re: tappet? clatter:

This noise could be one or more of:
Loose valve adjustment
Worn valve adjusting eccentrics
loosened up oil spray bar over the rockers
stretched timing chain
loose timing chain tensioner, or maybe needing bleeding
worn timing chain tension rail
worn timing gear
stretched oil pump chain
worn oil pump gear
worn oil pump

Likely over high miles an accumulation of these things.
Do you have an oil pressure guage?  If not install one and monitor the 
pressure on your two cars to see the differences.
   Shimming the oil pump, replacing its chain and gear, and possibly 
preloading the pressure release valve spring with a short 6mm bolt 
sticking in it

Don't worry, that 1.8 liter is the most resilient of BMW motors I've 
gotten to know.  If only the //M3 had as forgiving a valvetrain.

Btw its an old time tip to preload that oil pump spring, it can get 
another 10psi of oil pressure or more.  Rule of thumb is you want 10psi 
for each thousand rpm.

Good Luck,
'jk

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