Rod bearings

[Simon 3.2M]

Decided to swing by my local Indy earlier in the week to just chat about M's. After a very good conversation, it was a spur of the moment thing to get the bearings done, after all prevention is better than cure!! I was planning on doing this job early next year but with some of the figures for engine rebuilds that were being mentioned it made sense to maybe do them early. My car has FSH and 100k, the pictures speak for themselves. They weren't kept matched unfortunately but one shell is actually quite badly pitted.





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[Yorkie Z]

Looks like average wear to me. Definitely nothing shocking. Shell bearings after a few hours of use won't look new. A job worth doing for peace of mind though
How much did it cost out of interest?

 

[Bing]

Looks like average wear to me. Definitely nothing shocking. Shell bearings after a few hours of use won't look new. A job worth doing for peace of mind though
How much did it cost out of interest?

This... I have seen a lot worse posted on here and t’interweb. But something I am also considering at 100k or so. Would also be interested in the cost.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

Looks like average wear to me. Definitely nothing shocking. Shell bearings after a few hours of use won't look new. A job worth doing for peace of mind though
How much did it cost out of interest?

One of the bearings is actually quite pitted so had the potential to cause an issue. I had them done at Autobahn in Halesowen and it's having that peace of mind that's priceless for me personally. I know the bearings are now good as is the crank - high cost failures if they go.

 

[mr wilks]

Looks like average wear to me. Definitely nothing shocking. Shell bearings after a few hours of use won't look new. A job worth doing for peace of mind though
How much did it cost out of interest?

One of the bearings is actually quite pitted so had the potential to cause an issue. I had them done at Autobahn in Halesowen and it's having that peace of mind that's priceless for me personally. I know the bearings are now good as is the crank - high cost failures if they go.

Discussing this very issue recently with a respected forum member who has extensive knowledge on these engines & he indicated each & every S54 would show wear on at least 1 if not 2 of the shells & almost always the ones furthest away from oil pump supply :wink:
So the wear could well have happened on one single high rev from cold start with little or no lubrication .
Now you have gone to the trouble & expense you should give serious thought into which oil you use going forward as they are not all the same in performance terms even though they may well be 10w 60 & bmw spec .
Always Millers for me http://www.millersoils.co.uk/products/cfs-10w60/142

 

[Simon 3.2M]

I'll drop the oil in 1k miles and go for Millers as the consensus is that it's the best. The shells furthest from the pump were actually the least worn - the pitted one surprised me. As I'll be keeping the car I'm glad I now know they are done and will be given the right oil and warmed up fully before big revs.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I’m starting to think Mr Wilks receives a commission from Millers Oils

 

[mr wilks]

I’m starting to think Mr Wilks receives a commission from Millers Oils

If only going back many years to my 911 days ( the inevitable paranoia meant much study ) Hartech who are still forefront rebuilding failed Porsche units would only warranty their work if going forward the engine oil used was Millers Nano CFS :wink: http://www.hartech.org/rebuild-terms over Mobil 1 id say that itself was a good enough recommendation & ive used Millers in all my vehicles for the past 8 - 10 years

 

[R60BBA]

How many more miles do you reckon you could of got out of these bearings before spinning them OP?

 

[Jembo]

Looks like average wear to me. Definitely nothing shocking. Shell bearings after a few hours of use won't look new. A job worth doing for peace of mind though
How much did it cost out of interest?

This... I have seen a lot worse posted on here and t’interweb. But something I am also considering at 100k or so. Would also be interested in the cost.

Believe Brystones near where u work Bing are asking about £1k.

Know it’s no guarantee, though extra oil changes & cautious warm up procedures (don’t let the Dragon Lady Drive it) seem to keep them healthy - noticed mine is quiet on startup / idle compared to a couple of others I viewed & think this has to do with above.

At the rate I’m going, I’ll be getting mine done @ about 80k so at present that’s likely to be in 10 years )

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I’m starting to think Mr Wilks receives a commission from Millers Oils

If only going back many years to my 911 days ( the inevitable paranoia meant much study ) Hartech who are still forefront rebuilding failed Porsche units would only warranty their work if going forward the engine oil used was Millers Nano CFS :wink: http://www.hartech.org/rebuild-terms over Mobil 1 id say that itself was a good enough recommendation & ive used Millers in all my vehicles for the past 8 - 10 years

Worth bearing in mind I suppose (pun intended )

 

[Simon 3.2M]

How many more miles do you reckon you could of got out of these bearings before spinning them OP?

I'm not entirely sure, the Indy said they were changed at the right time and it is good that they were not left too much longer. The one that is actually pitted is the one of main concern. I suspect if I'd done some hard driving it may have gone. I'll try and find the article that explains why pitting occurs and why its not a good thing.

 

[R60BBA]

How many more miles do you reckon you could of got out of these bearings before spinning them OP?

I'm not entirely sure, the Indy said they were changed at the right time and it is good that they were not left too much longer. The one that is actually pitted is the one of main concern. I suspect if I'd done some hard driving it may have gone. I'll try and find the article that explains why pitting occurs and why its not a good thing.

Thanks,

I already understand why pitting occurs, just wanted to have an overview of how much life your mechanic thought was left in your bearings.

This explains most scenarios: https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/bearingwear/bearingwearanalysis.htm

 

[Nictrix]

I’m starting to think Mr Wilks receives a commission from Millers Oils

I had never heard of Millers oil before reading Mr Wilks posts on here.

 

[RickRob]

I ways quoted around £1k to get mine done. With 114k on the clock it will be done soon. Worth it for peace of mind.

I recently spent £1.6k on the car (replacement brake pipes, front calipers, rear springs and exhaust brackets) has left the Zed piggy bank a little empty! The good news is that it passed its MOT on Saturday with no advisories.

 

[sixspeed]

I ways quoted around £1k to get mine done. With 114k on the clock it will be done soon. Worth it for peace of mind.

I recently spent £1.6k on the car (replacement brake pipes, front calipers, rear springs and exhaust brackets) has left the Zed piggy bank a little empty! The good news is that it passed its MOT on Saturday with no advisories.

At that mileage, I'd just get them done. I was of the mind of "I'll do them next winter", and then 2 laps of the Nordschleife later, the death rattle occurred.....

 

[R60BBA]

At that mileage, I'd just get them done. I was of the mind of "I'll do them next winter", and then 2 laps of the Nordschleife later, the death rattle occurred.....

I agree he should get them done, however if he doesn’t track the car or push it hard then the chances of him spinning a bearing are reduced. But ultimately yes he should get it done.

What happened when you heard the rattle?

 

[Jembo]

At that mileage, I'd just get them done. I was of the mind of "I'll do them next winter", and then 2 laps of the Nordschleife later, the death rattle occurred.....

I agree he should get them done, however if he doesn’t track the car or push it hard then the chances of him spinning a bearing are reduced. But ultimately yes he should get it done.

What happened when you heard the rattle?

His wallet ran for its life

 

[Simon 3.2M]

Can I just reiterate that I've only put the pictures of my bearings up for information only and to show other owners the possible wear at 100k. I by no means wish to start scaremongering etc. There's every chance that, driven sensibly, they would have done another 20k - I just wanted that peace of mind as I intend to keep the car.

 

[Bing]

Nah, don’t worry - this is a common topic, and they have been on my 100k List for some time now. Lifters is another one, and most suspension parts. So just the cost of a cheap runabout to save up :lol: