S54 rod bearing

[Beedub]

So from your opinion.. do you think spending out to specifically get the shells replaced on my 93k mile car is good preventative maintenance? I guess it will be around £1,500 to 2k. The general consensus of course is do the work as it will help to reduce the risk of a big failure. But the more I read about this topic the more different opinions I hear. Do it vs its a possible waste of money as it may not save a total failure.
Don't get me wrong, I intend to track the car a far amount next year so I am all for doing it.. I just want to be realistic about this..

I think the answer depends upon how long you intend to keep the car. I think there's a strong element of luck (of the bad type) in bearing shell failure and none of us know how to avoid being selected. The engine certainly isn't getting newer/younger.

I'm sure that if you look at your bearing shells they will show some evidence of wear, which obviously isn't ideal, so you'd then want to replace them. If you had the job done by an experienced mechanic then you should have some level of comeback if the engine failed after X miles or within X months but hopefully, with new bearings and con rod bolts, you'd be less likely to be struck by bearing shell failure. So if I were in your shoes, I'd get them replaced. If you do replace, just make sure that you follow the running in protocol for the first 1200miles and then do an oil change before giving it the beans again.

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

please please get them to take pics of the shells!!! this would be great for the uk community ! Ive decided to this my own shells during the cars long hibernation periods!

 

[Beedub]

So from your opinion.. do you think spending out to specifically get the shells replaced on my 93k mile car is good preventative maintenance? I guess it will be around £1,500 to 2k. The general consensus of course is do the work as it will help to reduce the risk of a big failure. But the more I read about this topic the more different opinions I hear. Do it vs its a possible waste of money as it may not save a total failure.
Don't get me wrong, I intend to track the car a far amount next year so I am all for doing it.. I just want to be realistic about this..

I think the answer depends upon how long you intend to keep the car. I think there's a strong element of luck (of the bad type) in bearing shell failure and none of us know how to avoid being selected. The engine certainly isn't getting newer/younger.

I'm sure that if you look at your bearing shells they will show some evidence of wear, which obviously isn't ideal, so you'd then want to replace them. If you had the job done by an experienced mechanic then you should have some level of comeback if the engine failed after X miles or within X months but hopefully, with new bearings and con rod bolts, you'd be less likely to be struck by bearing shell failure. So if I were in your shoes, I'd get them replaced. If you do replace, just make sure that you follow the running in protocol for the first 1200miles and then do an oil change before giving it the beans again.

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

Excellent preventative work btw.... this will give you piece of mind, lastly when ur funds have recouped do a vanos overhaul and change the head gasket..... and just enjoy an amazing engine !

 

[exdos]

Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right?

It's only the bearing shells on the 6 con-rods that need replacing.

 

[Z4M-2006]

I think the answer depends upon how long you intend to keep the car. I think there's a strong element of luck (of the bad type) in bearing shell failure and none of us know how to avoid being selected. The engine certainly isn't getting newer/younger.

I'm sure that if you look at your bearing shells they will show some evidence of wear, which obviously isn't ideal, so you'd then want to replace them. If you had the job done by an experienced mechanic then you should have some level of comeback if the engine failed after X miles or within X months but hopefully, with new bearings and con rod bolts, you'd be less likely to be struck by bearing shell failure. So if I were in your shoes, I'd get them replaced. If you do replace, just make sure that you follow the running in protocol for the first 1200miles and then do an oil change before giving it the beans again.

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

Excellent preventative work btw.... this will give you piece of mind, lastly when ur funds have recouped do a vanos overhaul and change the head gasket..... and just enjoy an amazing engine !

Dont ya think Phils wallet is thin enough? Lol

 

[DPG]

Anyone on here had HGF? don't recall seeing many threads on it.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Anyone on here had HGF? don't recall seeing many threads on it.

I've not had one fail but I did replace mine at 50K miles along with the shells

 

[pHilli0]

I think the answer depends upon how long you intend to keep the car. I think there's a strong element of luck (of the bad type) in bearing shell failure and none of us know how to avoid being selected. The engine certainly isn't getting newer/younger.

I'm sure that if you look at your bearing shells they will show some evidence of wear, which obviously isn't ideal, so you'd then want to replace them. If you had the job done by an experienced mechanic then you should have some level of comeback if the engine failed after X miles or within X months but hopefully, with new bearings and con rod bolts, you'd be less likely to be struck by bearing shell failure. So if I were in your shoes, I'd get them replaced. If you do replace, just make sure that you follow the running in protocol for the first 1200miles and then do an oil change before giving it the beans again.

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

please please get them to take pics of the shells!!! this would be great for the uk community ! Ive decided to this my own shells during the cars long hibernation periods!

I should be getting them all given back to me when I collect the car in which case I will definitely take pics and uploaded. I am really interested to see the condition of the old shells.

 

[pHilli0]

I think the answer depends upon how long you intend to keep the car. I think there's a strong element of luck (of the bad type) in bearing shell failure and none of us know how to avoid being selected. The engine certainly isn't getting newer/younger.

I'm sure that if you look at your bearing shells they will show some evidence of wear, which obviously isn't ideal, so you'd then want to replace them. If you had the job done by an experienced mechanic then you should have some level of comeback if the engine failed after X miles or within X months but hopefully, with new bearings and con rod bolts, you'd be less likely to be struck by bearing shell failure. So if I were in your shoes, I'd get them replaced. If you do replace, just make sure that you follow the running in protocol for the first 1200miles and then do an oil change before giving it the beans again.

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

Excellent preventative work btw.... this will give you piece of mind, lastly when ur funds have recouped do a vanos overhaul and change the head gasket..... and just enjoy an amazing engine !

I had the head gasket replaced when the top end was being rebuilt. Good job I did as it was showing early signs of failure. The vanos I will tackle next year

 

[pHilli0]

Dont ya think Phils wallet is thin enough? Lol

Lol
This has been an expensive journey. I seriously hope I am through the expensive bits now and the engine will be fine for another 50k!!! Should be right ?? Even with the track pressures. I will be doing oil changes every 5k miles.

 

[Beedub]

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

Excellent preventative work btw.... this will give you piece of mind, lastly when ur funds have recouped do a vanos overhaul and change the head gasket..... and just enjoy an amazing engine !

I had the head gasket replaced when the top end was being rebuilt. Good job I did as it was showing early signs of failure. The vanos I will tackle next year

Well done good choice.

 

[Beedub]

Dont ya think Phils wallet is thin enough? Lol

Lol
This has been an expensive journey. I seriously hope I am through the expensive bits now and the engine will be fine for another 50k!!! Should be right ?? Even with the track pressures. I will be doing oil changes every 5k miles.

after seeing my engine internals, low mile, frequent oil changes are clearly helping!

 

[Beedub]

My car is in the shop this week for her bearing shell replacement!! The bottom end is in bits and the new shells should be there tomorrow. With luck I will have her back end of Thursday. Mileage at 94,500 now so really happy to have them done.
Daft question here - i see posts saying people have had the "big end bearings replaced". Tell me the bearing shells are the only bit I need to have replaced right? I understand the bearing rods are a different matter and all being well should not need replacing?? I am not missing something else ? Sorry if that is moronic.

please please get them to take pics of the shells!!! this would be great for the uk community ! Ive decided to this my own shells during the cars long hibernation periods!

I should be getting them all given back to me when I collect the car in which case I will definitely take pics and uploaded. I am really interested to see the condition of the old shells.

this is what I'm interested in!!

now enjoy the car, rev it and feel very comfortable imo, about as comfortable as you can feel with these type of performance vehicles, lets not make mistakes here, the s54 isn't the only engine to have quirks and issues.. lets not even get into Porche and the bore score era! lol

 

[Z4M-2006]

Dont ya think Phils wallet is thin enough? Lol

Lol
This has been an expensive journey. I seriously hope I am through the expensive bits now and the engine will be fine for another 50k!!! Should be right ?? Even with the track pressures. I will be doing oil changes every 5k miles.

after seeing my engine internals, low mile, frequent oil changes are clearly helping!

How many miles have you done in your car Byron ?

 

[Beedub]

phil any news on the pics??

 

[pHilli0]

Evening - OK got the car back today, all the work is complete. The old shells overall were in bad condition!! Cylinders 1,3,4,5 were "least" bad. However 2 and 6 were in a bad way and must of been on the turn of failing? They show big signs of wear and a colour change.
I have all the shells here but unfortunately I wasn't able to get a message to him to keep them in the cylinder order they came off from, so I have a bag of them in front of me. I am going to clean them up and group them and take some pics asap and upload for you guys to review.
Paul checked the rods and crank and all in good condition, no evidence of scoring or visual problems that he could find.

 

[Beedub]

woozier!!! lucky call!!! bet your very very happy you did that again!!

 

[pHilli0]

Check out these gents!! What do you reckon??

Cylinder 1

Cylinder 2 - a

Cylinder 2 - b

Cylinder 2 - c

Cylinder 3 - a

Cylinder 3 - b

Cylinder 4 & 5 - a

Cylinder 6 - a

Cylinder 6 - b

Cylinder 6 - c

 

[Beedub]

holy crap!!! lol!!! good catch!!!

look at this.....


which one do YOU think your car suffered??? I'm interested.

http://www.remotech.info/uploads/clevite_lagerschade_tech_info.pdf

 

[pHilli0]

Hmm well it looks like some of them are just normal wear, 3,4,5 would fall under that category. 2 and 6 perhaps high accelerated wear? There is some evidence of scoring but the others related to crank damage don't really apply.
Any thoughts?

 

[exdos]

From all the other photos I've seen of S54 bearing shells on here and on other forums, they just look like typical wear patterns especially from a car at 93k miles. So, the new ones should be good for another 93k miles. Now you can sleep easy. 8)