CSL crankshaft bearing shell

Jetcat · 22-09-2013, 02:17 PM

Hello,

Can anybody give me an advice if there are problems on the CSL with the crankshaft bearing shells?
Some people in Germany recommend to change them on a regular base if the car makes a lot of trackdays.
On my former M3 E46 SMG from 2002, I got them changed by BMW with a letter from Munich for safety-reasons.
Thanks,

The Gorilla · 22-09-2013, 03:35 PM

Hi,

S54 Engine in production between
Feb 2001 and June 2003 were all
subjected to the 'Bottom end''
recall.

As your car was 2002 and more than
likely running a 2002 built engine
then it would have been subjected
to the recall.

The issue with the shells was identified
prior to CSL engine [ S54 Short block]
production started, although one or two blocks
could have been used ?

As regards changing shells that's more a type of use
and mileage consideration, if your still making
good oil pressure, then personally I would
leave well alone, unless its some sort of
dedicated Race Car or Track Weapon seeing
high revs for most of its running hours.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Jetcat · 22-09-2013, 03:58 PM

Thanks,
As my CSL is from 2003, I remember having read somewhere that BMW recommends to change the shells at about 100.000 km.

**shimmy** · 22-09-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetcat

Thanks,
As my CSL is from 2003, I remember having read somewhere that BMW recommends to change the shells at about 100.000 km.

Hmmmmmm, prob a good idea

Monkey · 22-09-2013, 04:29 PM

I had a set fail recently. Replaced the failed head gasket, and literally on the roadtest afterwards they failed. Number 6 was the worst, just managed to save the crank. They had all started to wear though.

That's the first CSL I have seen with the shells failed to be fair. If you're in any doubt, or just want piece of mind I'd just get them replaced. You can uprate to ARP bolts as well if you like. It's not that expensive a repair either when you put it in perspective. Although it would be fairly pricey at a main dealer I would guess.

**shimmy** · 22-09-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkey

I had a set fail recently. Replaced the failed head gasket, and literally on the roadtest afterwards they failed. Number 6 was the worst, just managed to save the crank. They had all started to wear though.

That's the first CSL I have seen with the shells failed to be fair. If you're in any doubt, or just want piece of mind I'd just get them replaced. You can uprate to ARP bolts as well if you like. It's not that expensive a repair either when you put it in perspective. Although it would be fairly pricey at a main dealer I would guess.

How much would you GUESS shells are to replace?

Mine went at 65k Miles,

sjb · 22-09-2013, 05:18 PM

So did mine, in fact James is probably talking about my car

Chad · 18-04-2017, 10:00 PM

Reading through posts,Mines on 66500 now. all ready have shells, head gasket shims bolts etc, ready to go in when I get time, was thinking why not do rings at the same time, Anybody done this? And did they notice much difference in performance worthy of the extra cost of rings ?

select · 18-04-2017, 11:11 PM

I never heard about an issue with the Headgasket which would warrant a change as early as 60.000miles. Seems a bit excessive to me?

GregorFuk · 19-04-2017, 09:48 AM

I read in the Bentley manual that these heads should never be skimmed, probably because in doing so you will raise what is an already high compression ratio. So what I’d really like to know is if people are having their heads skimmed when they voluntarily lift them to do the head gasket?

On the instances I’ve had heads off previous engines they have been warped due to overheating and have always required a skim. If you have seen no ill effects and are just lifting the head to pop a new gasket in then I wonder does this still need doing?

22-09-2013, 02:17 PM	#1
Jetcat Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 11 Casino cash: $347	CSL crankshaft bearing shell Hello, Can anybody give me an advice if there are problems on the CSL with the crankshaft bearing shells? Some people in Germany recommend to change them on a regular base if the car makes a lot of trackdays. On my former M3 E46 SMG from 2002, I got them changed by BMW with a letter from Munich for safety-reasons. Thanks,

22-09-2013, 05:18 PM	#7
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	So did mine, in fact James is probably talking about my car __________________ Car no. 406

18-04-2017, 10:00 PM	#8
Chad S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: May 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 631 Casino cash: $7792	Head gasket shells and rings Reading through posts,Mines on 66500 now. all ready have shells, head gasket shims bolts etc, ready to go in when I get time, was thinking why not do rings at the same time, Anybody done this? And did they notice much difference in performance worthy of the extra cost of rings ? Last edited by Chad; 22-04-2017 at 12:20 PM.

18-04-2017, 11:11 PM	#9
select S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 475 Casino cash: $6813	I never heard about an issue with the Headgasket which would warrant a change as early as 60.000miles. Seems a bit excessive to me? __________________ Greetings, Julian.

22-09-2013, 03:35 PM	#2
The Gorilla S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 740 Casino cash: $14401	Hi, S54 Engine in production between Feb 2001 and June 2003 were all subjected to the 'Bottom end'' recall. As your car was 2002 and more than likely running a 2002 built engine then it would have been subjected to the recall. The issue with the shells was identified prior to CSL engine [ S54 Short block] production started, although one or two blocks could have been used ? As regards changing shells that's more a type of use and mileage consideration, if your still making good oil pressure, then personally I would leave well alone, unless its some sort of dedicated Race Car or Track Weapon seeing high revs for most of its running hours. Regards, The Gorilla.

22-09-2013, 03:58 PM	#3
Jetcat Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 11 Casino cash: $347	Thanks, As my CSL is from 2003, I remember having read somewhere that BMW recommends to change the shells at about 100.000 km.

22-09-2013, 04:29 PM	#5
Monkey S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: May 2013 Location: Haywards Heath Posts: 266 Casino cash: $7387	I had a set fail recently. Replaced the failed head gasket, and literally on the roadtest afterwards they failed. Number 6 was the worst, just managed to save the crank. They had all started to wear though. That's the first CSL I have seen with the shells failed to be fair. If you're in any doubt, or just want piece of mind I'd just get them replaced. You can uprate to ARP bolts as well if you like. It's not that expensive a repair either when you put it in perspective. Although it would be fairly pricey at a main dealer I would guess.

19-04-2017, 09:48 AM	#10
GregorFuk S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 318 Casino cash: $11097	I read in the Bentley manual that these heads should never be skimmed, probably because in doing so you will raise what is an already high compression ratio. So what I’d really like to know is if people are having their heads skimmed when they voluntarily lift them to do the head gasket? On the instances I’ve had heads off previous engines they have been warped due to overheating and have always required a skim. If you have seen no ill effects and are just lifting the head to pop a new gasket in then I wonder does this still need doing?