Engine grinds coffee beans

[Liquidpixel]

Hi all,
I have a 1987 BMW 325 with about 119000 miles on it. I travel between SF and LA every other weekend so I rack up a lot of miles during the year.

Lately I've noticed that my engine is making a sound kind of like the sound a coffee maker makes when it's grinding beans. Not too loud but noticeable enough from my car 's usual noise. The sound is most prevalent when idling. When I'm going fast though the car sounds fine.

Anyone have an idea what could be causing it ,and what I could check?

Thanks for any advice.

Regards,
LP"All knowledge ultimately leads to self knowledge."
www..teknomage.com

[Mark M]

Is it stickshift?

Is the noise only when you are pressing the clutch pedal in?

If so, your clutch throwout bearing is starting to fail.

Mark M

[Liquidpixel]

Mark,
Thanks for the response. Actually it's an automatic. I hear the noise mostly when the car is idling. Doesn't matter if it's hot or cold outside. Once it's up to speed though the engine evens out.

LP"All knowledge ultimately leads to self knowledge."
www..teknomage.com

[zm850i]

sounds like a chain tentioner

[some guy]

[zm850i]