Main seal, Clutch and flywheel replacement....Ouch!

[DMC63]

Only one tiny oil 'weep' on my Z now. With possibly one BIG cost attached.
The join between the gearbox and engine block is showing a misting of oil indicating a failing main seal
I recently had a bit of work done at the stealership, tbh it wasn't that expensive compared to a local garage. With the AA 'parts a labor' picking up the first £500 taking the sting out of the tail. They pointed out the oil misting. I checked it out to be sure and it's deffo there.
I'm 'wondering' (another often expensive pastime) If it's a good idea to get the clutch and flywheel done at the same time to save on labor costs?
Despite the clutch not having 'gone' as such, I'm thinking that after 84,000 miles there's probably going to be some play in the flywheel and the clutch probably isn't far behind the main seal in terms of life span.
Any thoughts?

 

[Roundozo]

If you can stretch your budget then I'd recommend it. To replace the seal it'll all need to come off anyway. I changed my clutch and DMF at 83K and although the clutch wasn't actually that bad the dmf had play. You might want to check the box input and output seals too and also change the fluid while you're at it.

 

[Chris_D]

Bad luck on the main seal but thats one of the 4 usual suspects when it comes to oil leaks on the m54 sadly.
Re the clutch, i did 270k miles on the original clutch on my old e36 323i coupe (m52tu). No slipping or play whatsoever. However i did about 250k of those miles.
Depends how hard its been driven by previous owners. If it feels ok now i'd leave it as a superfluous uneccesary cost....

 

[Machine monkey]

Just orders one for mine and will be changing my clutch flywheel and rear main seal Sunday. Look at this website.

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/mobile/lightweight-flywheel--clutch----04-mz4--z4-m-roadstercoupe-p668.aspx

I didn't fancy putting a dual mass back in! If you wait until next week (and all goes well) I shall have a review for you on mine next week.

 

[DMC63]

Bad luck on the main seal but thats one of the 4 usual suspects when it comes to oil leaks on the m54 sadly.
Re the clutch, i did 270k miles on the original clutch on my old e36 323i coupe (m52tu). No slipping or play whatsoever. However i did about 250k of those miles.
Depends how hard its been driven by previous owners. If it feels ok now i'd leave it as a superfluous uneccesary cost....

Wow! 270k, that's testament to BMW quality parts.
I hear what you regards longevity and superfluous costs but I'm thinking that the labor is going to be around £400 to fit the seals, so rather than fork that out along the line for the clutch and flywheel, may as well get it all done in one shot. I'd like to get the one piece flywheel and non-self adjusting clutch. And of course so all the seals.

 

[DMC63]

Just orders one for mine and will be changing my clutch flywheel and rear main seal Sunday. Look at this website.

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/mobile/lightweight-flywheel--clutch----04-mz4--z4-m-roadstercoupe-p668.aspx

I didn't fancy putting a dual mass back in! If you wait until next week (and all goes well) I shall have a review for you on mine next week.

Hi Monkey.
That's the kit I was looking at buying. Along with all the seals including the main seal and all the bits this guy replaced in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qZskpXW9t4

Looking forward to seeing your write-up. Do you have a ramp? Always open to having this done cheaper than the dealers, and helping out...

 

[Machine monkey]

Excellent I will do a review. I have heard that the clutch is a bit digital to begin with on off!! But settles down.

I do have a ramp I will see how mine goes first!!! The biggest problem is getting the exhaust off!!

 

[DMC63]

Excellent I will do a review. I have heard that the clutch is a bit digital to begin with on off!! But settles down.

I do have a ramp I will see how mine goes first!!! The biggest problem is getting the exhaust off!!

When you say 'digital' what do you mean?

 

[Machine monkey]

They are very on off like a button. But get better after a few miles.

 

[DMC63]

Don't like the sound of that :| Does it affect the performance of the clutch? Is it a 'sticky' jittery kind of 'digital'?

 

[Machine monkey]

Don't like the sound of that :| Does it affect the performance of the clutch? Is it a 'sticky' jittery kind of 'digital'?

No idea I was just told be carful bedding it in. Hopefully be able to give you a review in a few days/weeks.

 

[Matt85]

I replaced mine 2 month ago , 1 gearbox seal ,3 diff seals gearbox and diff oil plus new brake lines fitted from the front to the back parts and labour was 850£ . Deff recommend doing it ;-)

 

[DMC63]

Don't like the sound of that :| Does it affect the performance of the clutch? Is it a 'sticky' jittery kind of 'digital'?

No idea I was just told be carful bedding it in. Hopefully be able to give you a review in a few days/weeks.

I may even go for the set up he shows in the vid I sent at 14:25, But I'll wait for your feedback to make a decision.

 

[DMC63]

Don't like the sound of that :| Does it affect the performance of the clutch? Is it a 'sticky' jittery kind of 'digital'?

No idea I was just told be carful bedding it in. Hopefully be able to give you a review in a few days/weeks.

I may even go for the set up he shows in the vid (at 14:25secs) I sent, But I'll wait for your feedback to make a decision.

 

[firebobby]

No idea I was just told be carful bedding it in. Hopefully be able to give you a review in a few days/weeks.

I may even go for the set up he shows in the vid (at 14:25secs) I sent, But I'll wait for your feedback to make a decision.

Wow, an expensive few months :|

 

[DMC63]

I may even go for the set up he shows in the vid (at 14:25secs) I sent, But I'll wait for your feedback to make a decision.

Wow, an expensive few months :|

Yep. I received and insurance payout for 'stimming damage' done to my Z. So all of that's going back into mods and restoration. I want to bring the engine up to scratch and the main seal and all the other seals etc need to be done. IMHO the engine is the most important part of the car. I need to know it's in tip top shape.
There was a tiny hardly noticeable scratch on the softop rear window. The insurance company paid for a new top so I spent that on the new hardtop including spraying it. The rest will go on relocating the roof motor (Bowser), exhaust mod (Pauls car welding) and main seal, clutch and flywheel(Hopefully with Machine Monkey if he has the time and inclination if I cross his palm with silver). That should clean out that payment and bring the car up to scratch. The little scratches to the paintwork I can sort out with my buffer, lotions, potions and detailing skills :stir: .

 

[firebobby]

Wow, an expensive few months :|

Yep. I received and insurance payout for 'stimming damage' done to my Z. So all of that's going back into mods and restoration. I want to bring the engine up to scratch and the main seal and all the other seals etc need to be done. IMHO the engine is the most important part of the car. I need to know it's in tip top shape.
There was a tiny hardly noticeable scratch on the softop rear window. The insurance company paid for a new top so I spent that on the new hardtop including spraying it. The rest will go on relocating the roof motor (Bowser), exhaust mod (Pauls car welding) and main seal, clutch and flywheel(Hopefully with Machine Monkey if he has the time and inclination if I cross his palm with silver). That should clean out that payment and bring the car up to scratch. The little scratches to the paintwork I can sort out with my buffer, lotions, potions and detailing skills :stir: .

Your car looked OK to me David, it will be stunning when you've done all the bits above

 

[DMC63]

Wow, an expensive few months :|

Yep. I received and insurance payout for 'stimming damage' done to my Z. So all of that's going back into mods and restoration. I want to bring the engine up to scratch and the main seal and all the other seals etc need to be done. IMHO the engine is the most important part of the car. I need to know it's in tip top shape.
There was a tiny hardly noticeable scratch on the softop rear window. The insurance company paid for a new top so I spent that on the new hardtop including spraying it. The rest will go on relocating the roof motor (Bowser), exhaust mod (Pauls car welding) and main seal, clutch and flywheel(Hopefully with Machine Monkey if he has the time and inclination if I cross his palm with silver). That should clean out that payment and bring the car up to scratch. The little scratches to the paintwork I can sort out with my buffer, lotions, potions and detailing skills :stir: .

Your car looked OK to me David, it will be stunning when you've done all the bits above

Thanks Fred. It keeps me busy,sane and happy