bmw e46 M3 tappet adjustment

Today we are doing an inspection II service on Mikes lovely low mileage M3.

This service includes checking and adjusting the tappets.

The clearances must be checked with a stone cold engine. Mike left his car overnight for us to do the following morning.

So lets remove the rocker cover.

Open up the box of replacement tappets. The existing clearances need checking and if they’re out of spec then the tappet must be removed and measured with a micrometer.

Checking the clearances will require the camshaft lobe of the cylinders pointing up.

Fit the correct size replacement tappet to adjust the clearance.