1995 BMW 320 replacing tappets

DARTHDAMO

MEMBER
1995 BMW 320
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
190,000 MILES

Hi my 320 bmw has a tapping noise from the engine when it is started up. The noise stops when the oil warning light goes out this dosent take very long. I am using alot of oil though and weekly top up solves the problem. Im thinking it could be the tapets these could be refured to as valve followers or cam followers I think. How easy are these to replace as I think they are hydralic. Do you just take em out and put new ones in or is there more to it than that please help

1 Reply

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Your oil consumption might be an issue if more than 1.5 quarts in 1000 miles. The tappets are fairly easy to replace, but if it were mine, I would not sweat a little start up noise, save your $ for a needed repair, it can make noise on start up all it wants without any damage and replacement of 24 followers can be quite expensive at 30+ bucks apiece not including gaskets and incidentals. Consider refreshing the entire cylinder head, at 190k miles you might just get to another 190k out of the old girl.