Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt,
Yea, I have the same exact problem, but in addition the engine has a high whinning noise. I have taken the car into the BMW dealer four times, and they’ve installed timing chain tensioner and the S.O.P. VANOS. The whinning is still there. Does anybody know how to fix the problem. Have you had any other problems with your 325is. Chris Before you buy.
Response:
The problem is the vanos drive plate on intake camshaft. There are conversion parts available (wave washer, studs, diaphragm etc, and takes about 2.5 hours to do, all included) to convert cars built before 5/95 to later spec. This gets rid of the rattle 100%. We in Australia do many, and I am surprised that you Yanks, who are meant to be on the ball, aren’t aware of this. Klaus
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article > Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from > my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I > thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t > seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from > the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also > noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood > up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise > and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine > runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt, > Yea, I have the same exact year and model, 94 > 325is, and you’ve described the same exact problem > that I have. Now I’ve noticed the engine has a > high pitch whine from idle to about 2800 rpm. > I’ve taken the car to Valencia BMW four times and > it still isn’t fixed. I’ll take it back tomorrow. > They’ve tried to fix the problem by replacing the > timing chain tensioner and that didn’t work. > Then they just replaced or installed the intake > cam chain tensioner or the "S.O.P. Vanos", but the > whinning is still there. If anybody out there > knows how to fix this problem, please reply! > Thanks, > Chris > Before you buy.
Response:
Re: 1994 325iS engine noise Hi, There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. Thanks, Walt
Response:
: Re: 1994 325iS engine noise : I also noticed that : at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. oops, that should be idle speeds… Walt
Response:
LOL!! I’m glad you clarified that. I was beginning to wonder. Made me think, "Now there’s a dedicated man. Does his diagosis at speed on the freeway!" "Trust me honey, 67 mph is the ideal speed. Just hold on to the steering wheel and stick your head out the window. I’ll be right back" 
Thanks for the chuckle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > : Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > : I also noticed that > : at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > oops, that should be idle speeds… Walt
Response:
In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt,
Yea, I have the same exact year and model, 94 325is, and you’ve described the same exact problem that I have. Now I’ve noticed the engine has a high pitch whine from idle to about 2800 rpm. I’ve taken the car to Valencia BMW four times and it still isn’t fixed. I’ll take it back tomorrow. They’ve tried to fix the problem by replacing the timing chain tensioner and that didn’t work. Then they just replaced or installed the intake cam chain tensioner or the "S.O.P. Vanos", but the whinning is still there. If anybody out there knows how to fix this problem, please reply! Thanks, Chris Before you buy.
Response:
In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt,
Yea, I have the same exact year and model, 94 325is, and you’ve described the same exact problem that I have. Now I’ve noticed the engine has a high pitch whine from idle to about 2800 rpm. I’ve taken the car to a BMW dealership four times and it still isn’t fixed. I’ll take it back tomorrow. They’ve tried to fix the problem by replacing the timing chain tensioner and that didn’t work. Then they just replaced or installed the intake cam chain tensioner or the "S.O.P. Vanos", but the whinning is still there. If anybody out there knows how to fix this problem, please reply! Thanks, Chris Before you buy.
Response:
In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt, > Yea, I have the same exact year and model, 94 >325is, and you’ve described the same exact >problem that I have. Now I’ve noticed the engine >has a high pitch whine from idle to about 2800 >rpm. I’ve taken the car to a BMW dealership four >times and it still isn’t fixed. I’ll take it >back tomorrow. They’ve tried to fix the problem >by replacing the timing chain tensioner and that >didn’t work. Then they just replaced or installed >the intake cam chain tensioner or the "S.O.P. >Vanos", but the whinning is still there. If >anybody out there knows how to fix this problem, >please reply! >Thanks, >Chris
Before you buy.
Response:
In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt > Walt, > Yea, I have the same exact year and model, 94 >325is, and you’ve described the same exact >problem that I have. Now I’ve noticed the engine >has a high pitch whine from idle to about 2800 >rpm. I’ve taken the car to a BMW dealership four >times and it still isn’t fixed. I’ll take it >back tomorrow. They’ve tried to fix the problem >by replacing the timing chain tensioner and that >didn’t work. Then they just replaced or installed >the intake cam chain tensioner or the "S.O.P. >Vanos", but the whinning is still there. If >anybody out there knows how to fix this problem, >please reply! >Thanks, >Chris
Before you buy.
Response:
In article > Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Walt,
I have the same problem plus I have a whinning noise which a BMW dealer has been able to fix even though they’ve replaced intake cam tensioner and timing chain tension. If anybody knows how to fix the problem, please respond. Thanks Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also noticed that > at ideal speeds it is very audible with the hood up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine runs well. > Thanks, > Walt
Before you buy.
Response:
Actually, I’m a Canadian Klaus (and Australian by birth), but thanks for the tip. I thought there might be an upgrade out there but the dealer didn’t admit to it! I’ll insist that they check again based on what you wrote. Thanks, Walt
: The problem is the vanos drive plate on intake camshaft. There are : conversion parts available (wave washer, studs, diaphragm etc, and takes : about 2.5 hours to do, all included) to convert cars built before 5/95 to : later spec. This gets rid of the rattle 100%. : We in Australia do many, and I am surprised that you Yanks, who are meant to : be on the ball, aren’t aware of this. : Klaus – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: 1994 325iS engine noise > Hi, > There is an annoying knocking sound coming from > my engine > during *mild* acceleration at around 2500 rpm. I > thought > it was detonation but high octane fuel doesn’t > seem to help. > I snooped around and it seems to originate from > the VANOS, > sounding like marbles in a tin can. I also > noticed that > at idle speeds it is very audible with the hood > up. > Does anybody have an idea what causes this noise > and whether > it’s serious? Other than the noise, the engine > runs well. > Thanks, > Walt