So just yesterday, i was letting the car idle, when all of a sudden there’s this clanking clattering noise. I go over, try to see what’s up, turn off the car, etc. When i started the car next, the noise was gone. Since then, it’s become a nonstop noise that goes away depending on how high the...

I recently bought my first M car, a beautiful Topaz Blue 2003 M3 a couple months ago and I am in desperate need of a better exhaust system. I am fairly new to all of this so I am apologizing in advance for being a noob. My goal is to have an exhaust system where I can open a valve and have pure...

Hello there' I was whit this error in my M52 E46 323ci check the errors over here: --------------------------------------------------------------- DME -> E4/B2 - Ox.-s.control deviation, bank 2, too large CB/B2 - Ox.-sensor control, bank 2, control limit E3/B1 -...

I was in 3rd, went to shift into 4th at about 5500rpm and I shifted into 2nd... Don't know how or why I have never done this and car instantly lurched and looked like it hit over 7k... Instantly pushed clutch in couldn't have been more than a second. I coasted in neutral and engine was idling...

Thought I'd share my experiences trying to replace the cylinder head for under $1,000 in case anyone is thinking about doing this. This was the first time I'd ever even re-timed an engine, my background is mechanical engineering. If you're at all mechanically inclined and can follow...

If I have the crankshaft 30 degrees out of TDC (against the direction of normal motion), can I freely turn the camshafts without worrying about valve-piston interference?

A while ago I ran across a thread about a valve in the tailpipe of an E46. Someone mentioned they were there to keep volume down at low speed and open up the exhaust tone at highway speeds. It was claimed that only 330i's had them. This morning I noticed that exhaust was only coming out of...

Gasket is replaced so thats good. While reinstalling I sheared the center stud in the front. (Pic 1) Nearest BMW shop is 65 miles away so can I get away with driving it with it missing? If Not can I seal it with RTV and drive it? Second this little brittle tube next to O2 sensors decided to snap...

I was goofing around on youtube today and saw a video of an M20 running without a valve cover and I thought " I gotta try this". Haha, WELL I ended up making a huge mess! I knew theyre was gonna be SOME oil slinging but not that much! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: It was kinda cool to...

I'm still in the idea phase but I was wondering what is required to do a solid lifter conversion on an M54. I've done quite a bit of searching and havent really found much. Schrick makes a conversion kit but wouldnt you need cams for solid lifters? Can you even get solid lifter cams for an M54...

I don't know if anyone else has ran into this problem but one night I was working on a head gasket replacement with I*do*Werke on an m52 engine and we had to fully dissemble the head before it was sent to the machine shop. This involved removing the cams, cam trays and valves. Removing the...

I have a 2002 m3 with 43,000 miles, a guy i know lives down the street and is a bmw master tech, he has a full shop, lift etc in his garage and he said usually for an m3 its a good idea to get the valved checked every 30,000 miles so i got my valves adjusted, new belts, and a diff flush done for...

Hi, I'm a proud new owner of an E46 M3. As I'm located in a relatively small city (Ottawa, Ontario Canada), its difficult to find a garage competent and qualified enough to trust with my car (aside from the stealership). I seem to have a problem with my engine and I'm looking for your valued...

I've been looking to E46Fanatics for information since I bought my 2001 325CI. The heater is giving me a fit. I took the car to a shop who wouldn't touch it and ended up at the dealer where they diagnosed a bad thermostat and heater control valve. I replaced all the parts myself including a new...

Hi all, I have a 2000 E46 318i with the engine management light on - code p0170 (check fuel supply system) There is a slight hissing noise sometimes after I rev the engine a bit, and a BIG hissing noise after I turn the engine off. Here is a video I took -...

Hi, I was trying to diagnose my own solenoid valve problems (see thread here) and I was in contact with Beisan Systems which make replacement VANOS seal kits (but NOT for the E46 M3 S54 engine as it has the right type of VANOS seals). They provided the following very helpful guide on diagnosing...

Noticed in my 2001 330xi that the butterfly valve was jammed shut, so I golf tee modded it. Anyway, due to a broken spring, it will just rattle now when idling and not stay open. I bought some JB weld to epoxy it open, but due to low clearance between the pipe and bumper, I don't think I'll be...

First off, thanks for any info anyone offers up regarding any of my questions, it's greatly appreciated. I have recently acquired an 02 330ix with 60k miles and I want to spent the next few weekends doing a DIY fluid change/tune-up. First I am going to change the valve cover gasket due to a...

Hi, Basically i think my ide control valve is to be playing up (what i get after looking at other threads). Every now and again on a cold start-up, i have to top up the revs to stop the car from dying, but after that it is totally fine, even if i stop the car at the end of the road, it will...

As per title, you can guess my newest problem. I was detailing the engine yesterday when I noticed oil deposits on the front/lower part of the gasket, almost below spark #1. I cleaned it thoroughly and today it's got oil at the same spot. I believe that's the cause of the burning oil smell in...