Did an Inspection 1 on my 94 M3 today, or thought I did.
I noticed in the book that a valve clearance check is included.
So that is why they charge Australian $1000.
Does anyone have the correct valve clearances?

I have Googled until I was blue in the face with no results.

Also I noted my lower steering column had some sideways play in the "rag joint". Does any one know if this is usual? It seems bad to me and I have a little play in the steering, but if they become loose very quickly , I will not bother replacing it.
By the way, I reset the service lights by using the earth terminal 7 method and it worked first time.
Regard sPhilip A

i had the 3.2 clerance data somewhere. not sure its the same. for memory the tolerence was actually quite wide. U basically have a series of spacer "shims" mine were all in tolerence. Its only a matter of removing the cam cover so not that big a job to get access to them

I have once again spent several hours Googling, and found some for an E30 M3, and a variety of other\ older engines BUT NOT E36 M3 dammit.
The concensus seems to be around .010 to .014 cold although motorcycles are .006.
Anyway it should become clear when I look at them I guess.
If you could dig up the 3.2 clearances I would appreciate it.

It just goes to show how little DIY there is in the World for E36 M3s
Regards Philip A

no worries ill look tomorrow

Both camshafts: 0.28-0.33mm.

If your “valves test” comes off badly, adjust both camshafts on 0.3mm. Have a nice play!

There is a photo:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3466/11ap0.jpg

Thanks.
I have ordered a pirate BMW TIS CD workshop manual so that should also help, but I am pretty sure it will be the same.
Regards Philip A

0.3mm does that goes also for the 3.0 e36 euro m3

Just to confirm the valve clearances.
My newly purchased bootleg BMW TIS says valve clearances for S50 B30 are
0.28 MM to 0.35 MM for both inlet and exhaust.
Now if I can only get that tappet depressor.
Regards Philip A

should be set close to smallest setting, the clearance increases with use

Good info!

does anyone has actual photos of the process ? (readjusting clearances)

Its in the TIS manual.
Best A$14 I ever spent on Ebay.
Regards Philip A

id also check them when the engine is stone cold. best to sit in a workshop overnight

OK , I checked the clearances today.
All were within spec. ( Thank God)
Most seem to be around .32 MM.
Its a bit hard to tell as my metric feelers were only in 0.05 MM increments, but I also had some Inch feeler gauges and they were around 12.5 Thou max (.32mm) and .30MM minimum.
Easy but fiddly job. Hardest part is to get the rocker cover off because of interference with the wiring cover at the back.
Also tip, the guide for the coil wires is very flimsy, and there are/were two little washer/spacers that fall out when you put it back in. I lost mine somewhere under the car, so used a big washer under the retaining nuts.
Also hook up the earth wire to the rocker/coils with a bit of string to keep it out of the way, and stop it falling behind the motor.
Regards Philip A