Preventive Maintenance.

[Trawler]

Not withstanding that we get our cars serviced & checked over by our favourite mechanic, but is there anything that should be replaced before a failure leads to the car being off the road and the following expensive bill.

For example the subject of replacing the vanos filter crops up now and again. Is this necessary?

Never hear anything about the timing chain.

Be interested to hear your views/advise

[Yanto]

Not a part change, but I get a compression test done annually (every 5k ish for me). Also oil change same interval.

[cslsuperfan]

Not withstanding that we get our cars serviced & checked over by our favourite mechanic, but is there anything that should be replaced before a failure leads to the car being off the road and the following expensive bill.

For example the subject of replacing the vanos filter crops up now and again. Is this necessary?

Never hear anything about the timing chain.

Be interested to hear your views/advise


Yanto's advice is a good start. Compression test and annual gloop change.

This is not a recommendation just what I've changed out of the ordinary-

Fuel Filter (silver tube under the near side of the car)
Mine was the original so had it done

Cush drive doughnutty rubber thingy
Mine was original so had it replaced. 60K miles and 12 years had taken it's toll.

We do on the whole over-service our cars and to some extent extreme preventative maintenance doesn't hold off failures.

Despite 5 years lavishing funds and lots of TLC, mine has hit me with a big bill. Bad timing as I was on the back of a very early Insp 2 that could have waited 12 months. It never rains but it.....etc.

The M4 is fast becoming a realistic option.

[Trawler]

Thanks & to anyone else that posts. Other than annual oil change & air filter being cleaned I have only replaced all the bushes front & rear. Other fluids as and when necessary, sometimes to book, other times after a track day.

[Clubber]

When my car turned 60k miles I had the rod bearings and oil pump replaced. Its just something I do to all my M cars when they reach the 100k km benchmark. Gives the engine a life extension.
When we removed the bearings I was glad I did it because they were very worn and had more or less 10k miles tops before a giant engine failure. Now, I can push it as much as I can with a clear mind.

[select]

I would get the connecting rod bearings and oil pump replaced/checked at 100.000km / 60.000 miles.

Mine are about to get replaced now, actually. I am relieved that i dont have to worry about them anymore. :supz:

[mattCSLnut]

This: http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13163 ... is also worth doing as it's often overlooked.

More frequent (than BMW recommended) engine oil & filter changes + the forgotten Vanos filter are both great preventative measures worth doing :smt023

[mistergav]

There is a pretty long E46 M3 maintenance thread over on m3forum:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=190111

[cslsuperfan]

This: http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13163 ... is also worth doing as it's often overlooked.

More frequent (than BMW recommended) engine oil & filter changes + the forgotten Vanos filter are both great preventative measures worth doing :smt023


Matt

re: main bearing and oil pump change

a few peeps recommend this @ 60k miles

Is this preventative maintenance or another example of extreme over servicing?

Just a thought as my car is @ Barts at the mo.

[Clubber]

Matt

re: main bearing and oil pump change

a few peeps recommend this @ 60k miles

Is this preventative maintenance or another example of extreme over servicing?

Just a thought as my car is @ Barts at the mo.

In my case it was a piece of mind for a relatively reasonable price.
Based on my previous experiences and experiences of friends, in most cases of engine failure, worn rod bearings are the main reason. While at it, it is a good idea to replace the 12yr old oil pump which has worked for thousands of ours pumping tons of oil.

It is a not a must but a great safety measure.

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

re: main bearing and oil pump change

a few peeps recommend this @ 60k miles

Is this preventative maintenance or another example of extreme over servicing?

Just a thought as my car is @ Barts at the mo.

Defo preventative maintenance mate :supz: especially as you're still Tracking yours Ben :thumbs: as it's piece of mind (as Can said earlier) to get these done, but do insist on ARP bolt kit over OEM: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2211-arp-connecting-rod-bolt-kit-for-e46-m3-mz3-m11-size.aspx :smokin:

[select]

@matt

As far as i am concerned the engine used in the CSLs already use the newer rod bolt design which are M10x1,25 those you've linked to are replacements for the old M11 bolts. So those you've linked wouldn't fit.
See this link for reference:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E46-Coupe/Europe/M3_CSL-S54/L-N/may2003/browse/engine/crankshaft_connecting_rod/#7834310_2

The redesigned ones are pretty reliable but BMW recommends you use new bolts everytime you change your bearings because they have a one-time-use stretch design.

I am picking my CSL up tomorrow, i told them to keep my old bearings so i can upload some pictures of them if anybody is interested.

[mattCSLnut]

@matt

As far as i am concerned the engine used in the CSLs already use the newer rod bolt design which are M10x1,25 those you've linked to are replacements for the old M11 bolts. So those you've linked wouldn't fit.
See this link for reference:
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E46-Coupe/Europe/M3_CSL-S54/L-N/may2003/browse/engine/crankshaft_connecting_rod/#7834310_2

The redesigned ones are pretty reliable but BMW recommends you use new bolts everytime you change your bearings because they have a one-time-use stretch design.

I am picking my CSL up tomorrow, i told them to keep my old bearings so i can upload some pictures of them if anybody is interested.

Sorry "select" :smt053 wrong ARP link ... these are the ones I meant :http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2206-arp-connecting-rod-bolt-set-euro-s50-s54-m10-size.aspx :thumbs: Highly regarded by race engine builders.
... and I'm aware of the nature of any stretch bolt ;) it's single use only :smt023
Good luck with your CSL tomorrow and I'll be interested to see the pix of your old engine bits ;)

[cslsuperfan]

Defo preventative maintenance mate :supz: especially as you're still Tracking yours Ben :thumbs: as it's piece of mind (as Can said earlier) to get these done, but do insist on ARP bolt kit :smokin:


Matt

I've emailed Damian for a quote.

[J2LTB]

I've changed a leaking cpc valve on the side of the block.
Headlight level sensor arm on the front as it had seized.
Full Vanos rebuild using the American seals.
Vanos soliniod. These can get cracked circuit boards.
Track rods always seize up and I've replaced mine.
Head gasket has been swapped.
Plastic throttle linkages on inlet manifold had some play so I renewed those.
Special diff oil with friction modifier to stop the grinding sounds.
Rear exhaust hangers split over time.
Exhaust backbox flanges corrode and fail.
Smg Salmon relay swap
Alternator and battery will fail eventually

Just a small list of things I've done to keep cesil going strong .

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

I've emailed Damian for a quote.

Good on U mate :beer: I hope you've used the correct ARP bolt link ? as in this one: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2206-arp-connecting-rod-bolt-set-euro-s50-s54-m10-size.aspx ... and not the first one I posted in error :smt053

[cslsuperfan]

Good on U mate :beer: I hope you've used the correct ARP bolt link ? as in this one: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2206-arp-connecting-rod-bolt-set-euro-s50-s54-m10-size.aspx ... and not the first one I posted in error :smt053


Yep

pasted the second link :thumbs:

[select]

Sorry "select" :smt053 wrong ARP link ... these are the ones I meant :http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2206-arp-connecting-rod-bolt-set-euro-s50-s54-m10-size.aspx :thumbs: Highly regarded by race engine builders.
... and I'm aware of the nature of any stretch bolt ;) it's single use only :smt023
Good luck with your CSL tomorrow and I'll be interested to see the pix of your old engine bits ;)

No Harm done, matt. :beer:
Didn't knew that those are availiable in M10.. but i am thinking if the current BMW ones held up 100.000km the new ones are going to aswell..

Onto the bearings.. took some pics but apparently the camera is a bit beat up .. sorry for the rubbish pics :bigcry:
Trying to get some better pics done..

Car has had 110.000km or 68.000 miles when they were changed.
Mechanic said they are in a rather good condition, he has seen way worse.
But Cylinder 6 is the worst as it always seems to be the case with the S54.


http://abload.de/thumb/20150601_115539hzk76.jpg (http://abload.de/image.php?img=20150601_115539hzk76.jpg)http://abload.de/thumb/20150601_115642jyk38.jpg (http://abload.de/image.php?img=20150601_115642jyk38.jpg)

[GregorFuk]

Matt

re: main bearing and oil pump change

a few peeps recommend this @ 60k miles

Is this preventative maintenance or another example of extreme over servicing?

Just a thought as my car is @ Barts at the mo.

It feels like over egging to me but I each to their own I guess. I'd expect an engine to go a fair bit longer than 60K before it needs new shells etc.

People would do well to remember the basic failure rate bath tub curve. You can actually increase your potential of suffering a failure by replacing things early. Replacing head gaskets 'just in case' seems an unnecessary risk to me, I can't think of another engine where you'd do that. Even the K-Series community has the patience to wait for them to pop first. Wear rates on oil pumps are usually low, they are robustly designed, submerged in oil, and pump oil all day. Hardly a high wear environment.

There is a degree of logic behind the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Bathtub_curve.jpg/350px-Bathtub_curve.jpg

[cslsuperfan]

It feels like over egging to me but I each to their own I guess. I'd expect an engine to go a fair bit longer than 60K before it needs new shells etc.

People would do well to remember the basic failure rate bath tub curve. You can actually increase your potential of suffering a failure by replacing things early. Replacing head gaskets 'just in case' seems an unnecessary risk to me, I can't think of another engine where you'd do that. Even the K-Series community has the patience to wait for them to pop first. Wear rates on oil pumps are usually low, they are robustly designed, submerged in oil, and pump oil all day. Hardly a high wear environment.

There is a degree of logic behind the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Bathtub_curve.jpg/350px-Bathtub_curve.jpg

Gregor

I agree with the above. My decision to go ahead with the preventative maintenance stems from an accumulation of events-

1. a friends csl suffered total bottom end fail @ 70K miles- verdict- thrown main which destroyed the crank
2. Gareth @ Bart's has seen several csl's in recent months with the above failure.

I'm hoping a little invested now will sustain the car well into 100K + miles especially as my annual track day quota is likely to rise.

[Roland]

- Vanos filter, and pressure check
- Diff. oil
- Gearbox oil
- Rear exhaust hangers

[MisterCorn]

Mine had a comprehensive engine rebuild not long before I got it, I will try to find out more details of what was done at some point, but from what I heard it sounded very much like an oil pump failure, all done under warranty. It also had a gearbox change. Neither of which were preventative. Preventative maintenance would have been a lot more expensive for the owner at the time though. Having a vehicle with a good warranty on it and liking to carry out preventative maintenance on things like main bearings don't go all that well together IMO.

I have done an oil change which wasn't really required though, does that count?

MC

[pops]

Had an interesting chat with Damian today re warranties and preventative maintenance.

He was more than helpful and it's great to find a company that are that way and don't try to scare you into having work done needlessly. It's exactly the same as 1320 are with looking after my GP.

Reading the posts re having the bottom end done to defer bearing failure, I started to have a bit of a think about mine which is currently sat on 74,000 miles. I tend to agree with Ben and will more than likely have them changed along with the oil pump when it goes in to have the brakes fitted.

Until the old bearings are out we are never going to know if it's a wise move or not, however, not sure I'm going to be happy to wait and see if it is going to go bang along with my bank account which would also go bang at the same time :hahaha:

In the case of the GP, more than a few have been seen to be having timing chain hassle. The guides tend to wear / break leading to the chain jumping a cog and leading to a few bent valves. Mine's booked into 1320 in Oct for new guides and chain so I suppose, if I'm doing it on the GP it would make sense to do it on Cesil.

[cslsuperfan]

Had an interesting chat with Damian today re warranties and preventative maintenance.

He was more than helpful and it's great to find a company that are that way and don't try to scare you into having work done needlessly. It's exactly the same as 1320 are with looking after my GP.

Reading the posts re having the bottom end done to defer bearing failure, I started to have a bit of a think about mine which is currently sat on 74,000 miles. I tend to agree with Ben and will more than likely have them changed along with the oil pump when it goes in to have the brakes fitted.

Until the old bearings are out we are never going to know if it's a wise move or not, however, not sure I'm going to be happy to wait and see if it is going to go bang along with my bank account which would also go bang at the same time :hahaha:

In the case of the GP, more than a few have been seen to be having timing chain hassle. The guides tend to wear / break leading to the chain jumping a cog and leading to a few bent valves. Mine's booked into 1320 in Oct for new guides and chain so I suppose, if I'm doing it on the GP it would make sense to do it on Cesil.

Pops
Damian/Natalie & Gareth have a great set up as you'll discover when you get the BBK fitted. Damian is never to busy to deal with the smallest detail with the csl which is very reassuring. I wouldn't take my car anywhere else despite the 6 hour round trip. :thumbs:

[pops]

The car went down there for a once over 2 days after collecting it and was impressed with the attention to detail.

Peter (Trawler) took me there when he bought his car to 1320 for me to have a look at one in the flesh.

I'm like you in the respect nowhere else will be doing anything on the car.

It's good knowing I have Bartletts for cesil and 1320 for the GP.

[pops]

Seeing as the bottom end has been discussed, what are the thoughts on having the head gasket changed as a preventative measure?

[cslsuperfan]

Seeing as the bottom end has been discussed, what are the thoughts on having the head gasket changed as a preventative measure?


Brian I've hopefully headed this off at the pass.

Having a compression test done at the same time as the main bearing/oil pump replacement.

Results should give an indication as to the state of the top end. :)

[pops]

Cheers Ben, likely to be doing the same.

[cslsuperfan]

Cheers Ben, likely to be doing the same.

Brian the compression test is about 7.5% of the cost of the bottom end /oil pump maintenance so it's relatively money well spent.

[pops]

Brian the compression test is about 7.5% of the cost of the bottom end /oil pump maintenance so it's relatively money well spent.

Well worth having done then, thanks.

Mine is being sorted when it's in for the brakes, not cheap but if it gives peace of mind it's worth it.

[cslsuperfan]

Well worth having done then, thanks.

Mine is being sorted when it's in for the brakes, not cheap but if it gives peace of mind it's worth it.


Brian the work is also covered by BMW 2 year parts and labour warranty so peace of mind indeed.

[mattCSLnut]

Brian I've hopefully headed this off at the pass.

Having a compression test done at the same time as the main bearing/oil pump replacement.

Results should give an indication as to the state of the top end. :)

Don't forget to ask for a full leak off test as well ;) as that is as important as the compression test :thumbs:
FYI Gareth did both on mine few years ago and it was all spot on :smt023 well within tolerances. Not bad for an original 84K miles, matching numbers engine with the original HG.

[cslsuperfan]

Don't forget to ask for a full leak off test as well ;) as that is as important as the compression test :thumbs:
FYI Gareth did both on mine few years ago and it was all spot on :smt023 well within tolerances. Not bad for an original 84K miles, matching numbers engine with the original HG.


Thanks Matt, i'll confirm with Damian tomorrow.

[cslsuperfan]

Don't forget to ask for a full leak off test as well ;) as that is as important as the compression test :thumbs:
FYI Gareth did both on mine few years ago and it was all spot on :smt023 well within tolerances. Not bad for an original 84K miles, matching numbers engine with the original HG.


Matt

Gareth doing all of the above. It makes sense to assess the top end given the bottom end is getting the full Monty.

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

Gareth doing all of the above. It makes sense to assess the top end given the bottom end is getting the full Monty.

Good to hear matey :thumbs: fingers crossed Gareth will come back with good news re: top end :beer: