From digest.v7.n175 Thu Aug 28 13:58:12 1997
From: "Duane C" <trapdnce_at_erols.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 22:50:25 -0400
Subject: That Ole M3 Valve Ticking

Dan,

> is Redline better than, say, Mobil 1?

That's like asking: Is a Ford or Chevy better? Your pick - both are excellent. I use Mobil one because its cheaper...and CHEAP IS GOOD. Synthetics will help the valve ticking situation in part 2.

> After autocrossing this weekend, my engine developed some rather loud, I
=
> believe, valve noise.

Ah yes....rather disturbing when that happens the first time....kinda like "OH MAI GAWD! I just fried my engine like Danny Ongasis!...Is an auto-x a competitive event??!!! .....Will BMW warranty it ???!!" Dollar signs begin to appear on your helmet visor like a hologram as you come off the course.

Neverfear. You are experiencing the famous M3 S50 engine oil starvation. When cornering the M3 very hard, the sump sloshes the oil and the hydraulic lifters starve for a bit. Let your car idle back at the grid afterwards (I usually leave my running between runs within a heat) and the lifters will pump up again. If not, they will by the time you arrive back home. E36 M3's all do it to some degree.

Two solutions to BMW's oversight on design:

The Cheap Fix: Overfill your engine one quart. The Right Fix: Buy the M3 LTW deep pan and oil pickups on the aftermarket for about $ 1,200.00 as a kit. Install same.

Interestingly enough, the *right* fix voids portions of your warranty. Go figure.

Duane Collie
RM3DR1 < always overfilled
National Capital Chapter