Do the tappets fail on Evo's?
Or has anybody got any experience of this happening?
i have a noise coming from my engine that sounds like that has happened
Bur before i go taking it apart i would like to know any more info

No, they're solid shim over bucket. If you had a broken tappet or broken shim, it would make one helluva racket.

Could be VANOS noise? Or maybe it's time to adjust valves. Also check for loose spark plugs.

the clearances need periodic adjustment as items wear. this is normal part of maintanance on solid lifters, and one of the joys of high performance engines.

Thanks guys, it is a strange one so
sounds like i may have dropped a valve guide so or else something has broken in a big way
the noise is too far from the vanos to be it(cyl 5 intake side)
Well at least i think it is

ok, got an update on this, i just had a quick look, well mainly a listen
the rattle doesnt sound to be coming from any part of the engine in particular
i think the vanos may be stuck and its a contact noise on the valves and pistons on the inlet side
i put my hand on the two vanos housings and if i rev to say 1500rpm i can feel a very big vibration in them both, no noise but they are both feeling as if there is something wrong.
I have a 97 evo and did the same test, it is perfectly smooth at all revs
does this indicate a vanos failure?
Is it worth my while taking the vanos unit off the other evo and fitting it to this one to see?
Anyone got any instruction on how to do that?
Thanks

If the vanos were stuck, it wouldn't cause valve and piston contact anyways.

Anyone got any instruction on how to do that?
Thanks[/quote]


Try the screwdriver to the ear test,should isolate where the noise is coming from.
As far as removing and installing the vanos, I've read the procedure and it simple with about a dozen special tools and seven fingers on each of one's three hands to manage it,and with with the online support of NASA .
I'd like to see a how-to for beginners.

its a strange one
i did the screwdriver test and the sound is not coming from where i thought it was...
its like as if its coming from the throtle bodies, so its echo ing....
but i put my hand on the vanos housing and it feels like ball barings moving in it
on my 97 evo it is perfectly smooth, so i am thinking the vanos is the issue
the metalic noise still worries me
as for removing the vanos, i think thats the next thing
i have got some audio/vid clips, i will upload them and see what you guys think

Which oil are you using in the Evo which is running smoothly?

Shell oil, 10w40 i think, will check later
The other car ran on castrol, until the last service with the previous owner, not sure then
Does this genuinely sound like a vanos issue with the vibration on the housing?

anyone got any more inputs?

I can just repeat what i've experience with my 98 Evo.

My car sounded/sounds almost like a Diesel (Running Castrol Edge right now, it's a bit better compared to TWS) when revving, especially when revving up, then letting the RPM drop. I'm not sure if that's what you mean.

I haven't really touched the VANOS and felt it, but i'm pretty sure that it vibrates, like you described. Not sure what you did to your Evo, but i want mine to be like it :P.

After a few talks with people who own E36 M3s as well as talking to 3 different BMW dealers and having the gears replaced, i was told that the car is fine. Working as intended. And, in all honesty, it feels fine. It doesn't have a dip in the power band (Like they usually would when the VANOS is stuck open) and revs fine.

If you're still not sure, you should check with a BMW dealer you trust. Do some research, perhaps.

Sorry that i can't help you more. Good luck!

Well i got to the bottom of it....lol
more like the top of it
the small end baring on cylinder 5 appears to have failed....
so its an engine out job
going to see if i can source a good replacement engine for it i think
Thanks for all the help/advise

Well i got to the bottom of it....lol
more like the top of it
the small end baring on cylinder 5 appears to have failed....
so its an engine out job
going to see if i can source a good replacement engine for it i think
Thanks for all the help/advise

Oh wow. Sorry to hear that :(.

I hope you can get her fixed up good and be driving again soon :)

gonna use the good engine out of my 97 for now and then get a replacement for the 97, its not as good a car so may end up being broken
Plan is hit it next weekend
Thanks for the help