Any news? Hope its all OK and just some minor tightening or consumable part...
Engine Tapping
- Thread starter jimmybell
- Start date
Worn Followers 
Replaced the whole lot to be sure, reshimmed, oil & coolant done and a full once over to be sure. Much happier now and it runs a dream - smooth and responsive.
Needless to say - the last garage weren't much use as they somehow failed to spot this. I cant praise CPC Performance Engineering highly enough - they've got all my future works secured.
Replaced the whole lot to be sure, reshimmed, oil & coolant done and a full once over to be sure. Much happier now and it runs a dream - smooth and responsive.
Needless to say - the last garage weren't much use as they somehow failed to spot this. I cant praise CPC Performance Engineering highly enough - they've got all my future works secured.
jimmybell said:Worn Followers
Replaced the whole lot to be sure, reshimmed, oil & coolant done and a full once over to be sure. Much happier now and it runs a dream - smooth and responsive.
Needless to say - the last garage weren't much use as they somehow failed to spot this. I cant praise CPC Performance Engineering highly enough - they've got all my future works secured.
Good to hear on both counts
Told you it was the cams / followers :wink: Make sure you recommend him to anyone with a BMW who needs a decent and reliable Indy... I do at every opportunity
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CornishRob
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BMWZ4MC said:
Can anything be done to reduce the chances of this happening? I always change my oil in-between the BMW recommended interval at about 7K or yearly.
I guess a general decent warm up procedure as well? I don't rev over 3K RPM until upto 90 degrees oil temp?
Mine will be getting an inspection 2 done in about 1.5k miles, so I will be interested to see how everything is inside the top. Need to get it all arranged though. Might look at CPC. Moving to SW London next month, so guess they would be local ish. I did want to use Iridium Engineering in Southampton though, but might be a bit of a faff logistically! Will have to have a think.
Yep - apparently its (nearly) unheard of in low milers - common in m3's with higher mileage.
I'm pointing the finger at BMW Insp 2 more than driving style or oil starvation.
After chatting to Phil at CPC and watching fifth gear's oil quality investigation i'll be changing mine between services.
Sadly costs are high for a simple component swap due to the engine bay layout in the z4 vs the m3. i also went for a load of extra stuff i technically didn't need but i want my car running without any compromise.
The followers are only £40 and i only had a few that were in a very bad way. Got them in the boot so i can get a pic up of how they shouldn't look! Not shimming correctly leads to extra punch in the valve-follower contact leading to excess wear. I'd ensure you specifically request shim measurements in your inspection 2's from any/all garages, main dealer or not. Equally somehow confirm they visually inspect for follower wear!
I'm pointing the finger at BMW Insp 2 more than driving style or oil starvation.
After chatting to Phil at CPC and watching fifth gear's oil quality investigation i'll be changing mine between services.
Sadly costs are high for a simple component swap due to the engine bay layout in the z4 vs the m3. i also went for a load of extra stuff i technically didn't need but i want my car running without any compromise.
The followers are only £40 and i only had a few that were in a very bad way. Got them in the boot so i can get a pic up of how they shouldn't look! Not shimming correctly leads to extra punch in the valve-follower contact leading to excess wear. I'd ensure you specifically request shim measurements in your inspection 2's from any/all garages, main dealer or not. Equally somehow confirm they visually inspect for follower wear!
Liverpool
The S54 in the Z4M should be much easier to work on than in the M3.
The engine in the M3 is set further back, and sits slightly under the scuttle panel.
S54 in Z4M
S54 in M3
Mine's on 105k, but it gets interim oil services every 6-7k, and is not used for short runs (below 10 minutes). If I do have to go out for a short run, then I always make sure I make it into a longer run (30 minutes min) to get everything warmed up properly.
The engine in the M3 is set further back, and sits slightly under the scuttle panel.
S54 in Z4M
S54 in M3
Mine's on 105k, but it gets interim oil services every 6-7k, and is not used for short runs (below 10 minutes). If I do have to go out for a short run, then I always make sure I make it into a longer run (30 minutes min) to get everything warmed up properly.
I'm paranoid about ensuring it is warm before using the fun pedal. The self adjusting redline is one of my favourite features of the car
I think the extra room in front of the M3 S54 provides better access to the camshafts whereas in the Z the front has to come off. Not entirely sure though. i believe its easier to hack/wiggle access in the m3.
Its all happy and smooth now.
I think the extra room in front of the M3 S54 provides better access to the camshafts whereas in the Z the front has to come off. Not entirely sure though. i believe its easier to hack/wiggle access in the m3.
Its all happy and smooth now.
jimmybell said:I'm paranoid about ensuring it is warm before using the fun pedal. The self adjusting redline is one of my favourite features of the car
I think the extra room in front of the M3 S54 provides better access to the camshafts whereas in the Z the front has to come off. Not entirely sure though. i believe its easier to hack/wiggle access in the m3.
Its all happy and smooth now.
I assume you let the oil get up to temperature though, not just the adjusting redline.
Glad you found the cause jimmy, nothing worse than chasing a problem and getting nowhere.
If you have time to put those pics up of the rockers i reckon it would be really useful for others as a point of reference. I know i wouldn't mind having a visual inspection carried out and having something to go on would be a big help.
saying that, does anyone know if the rockers can be inspected in situ or is it necessary to take out the cams? from what i've seen on the net it 'looks' like they can be seen once unclipped and slid away from the shims/valves but i'm not entirely convinced.
If you have time to put those pics up of the rockers i reckon it would be really useful for others as a point of reference. I know i wouldn't mind having a visual inspection carried out and having something to go on would be a big help.
saying that, does anyone know if the rockers can be inspected in situ or is it necessary to take out the cams? from what i've seen on the net it 'looks' like they can be seen once unclipped and slid away from the shims/valves but i'm not entirely convinced.