Urgent info request regarding 540i - potential purchase
Discussion
Please could you help diagnose the likely cause and cost of the following noises. I have viewed 3 of these now and am quite mechanically minded so will try to answer any questions...
I viewed a 99' 130k 540i today, the engine is very quiet as it should be except it makes unusual noises AFTER a good drive:
Engine was warm before starting up.
MOT advisory in 2009 for "severe engine oil leak" - he said this was the power steering pump
I asked the owner to leave the engine on after we went for a drive
1. Constant ticking, rattle - reminds me of cam shaft wear noise though difficult to describe
2. A constant whooshing noise on for 10 seconds then subsides
Didn't drive it but was taken out in it and the owner drove it smoothly and showed me full throttle - felt deceptively fast.
Checked the engine bay and under the car multiple times during the viewing for oil leaks, it was difficult to get a view under the car but I found nothing more than a lightly oiled cross member -didn't look like a severe leak.
He said the noise only occurs when revved a lot. Said he's checked with the forums and they told him to rev it to 3000rpm for a minute or so and the noise goes away. I mentioned vanos and he seemed to suggest it might be something to do with this.
The car seems to drive fine and this is the only thing concerning me about making him an offer.
Any ideas? Would this be a major cost to put right?
Many thanks in advance
I viewed a 99' 130k 540i today, the engine is very quiet as it should be except it makes unusual noises AFTER a good drive:
Engine was warm before starting up.
MOT advisory in 2009 for "severe engine oil leak" - he said this was the power steering pump
I asked the owner to leave the engine on after we went for a drive
1. Constant ticking, rattle - reminds me of cam shaft wear noise though difficult to describe
2. A constant whooshing noise on for 10 seconds then subsides
Didn't drive it but was taken out in it and the owner drove it smoothly and showed me full throttle - felt deceptively fast.
Checked the engine bay and under the car multiple times during the viewing for oil leaks, it was difficult to get a view under the car but I found nothing more than a lightly oiled cross member -didn't look like a severe leak.
He said the noise only occurs when revved a lot. Said he's checked with the forums and they told him to rev it to 3000rpm for a minute or so and the noise goes away. I mentioned vanos and he seemed to suggest it might be something to do with this.
The car seems to drive fine and this is the only thing concerning me about making him an offer.
Any ideas? Would this be a major cost to put right?
Many thanks in advance
Edited by OctaneV8 on Monday 1st February 18:21
Edited by OctaneV8 on Monday 1st February 18:51
As soon as i read the first problem, Vanos came into my mind aswell.
That should have the M62B44 'technical update' engine, it should have a single vanos system.
Vanos's are known to become noisy, especially on older cars like the e36 m3, even on my e46 it is slightly audible, its due to the loose tolerances of the bearings on the spline gears, if me remembers correctly. A noisy vanos doesn't neccesserily mean a duff vanos, as long as it dont bog down below 3k revs and idles smoothly, it should be fine.
As for the whooosh, could be simple as a vacuum leak?
That should have the M62B44 'technical update' engine, it should have a single vanos system.
Vanos's are known to become noisy, especially on older cars like the e36 m3, even on my e46 it is slightly audible, its due to the loose tolerances of the bearings on the spline gears, if me remembers correctly. A noisy vanos doesn't neccesserily mean a duff vanos, as long as it dont bog down below 3k revs and idles smoothly, it should be fine.
As for the whooosh, could be simple as a vacuum leak?
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