service reveals some issues - FIXED :-) no further issue.

I've alway just done inspection 2s for the more intensive service. The car has now had 2 insp2 and 6 oil changes.

spoke to simpson this morning who were very cool and calm and made me feel much better about this..... they said removing the vanos to get to that shim is way overkill, he also stated don't worry unless the tolerance tightens again... so lets see what happens, nothing else to report really at this point, so when the car goes for the shim to be reduced, ill take some really detailed pics for everyone and keep you all in the loop! :-)

simpson have quoted a maxmium of 3 hours labour to remove the shim. considering their knowledge with the internals of this engine, ill proably use them for the shim removal process and they are totally confident it can removed without the cam coming out, however this time ill be going and being involved in the whole process, if the vanos doesn't need to be disturbed then I'm really liking that, then its a case of checking the tolerances yearly for alittle bit, which i think ill attempt myself.
if at any point the tolerance tightens again then i'll take the other route.

my routine service work will always be with redish after my experience. their customer service is unparalleled.

anyway ill let this thread run and be a nice place for us to talk shim related drama on the good ol s54. i'll update when it get done, with the new tolerances.

On a side note, I've sent another oil sample off for check, lets hope i don't get high lead readings :| :| :| :| :| lol.
 
Slight digression: since checking the clearances requires removing the valve cover, does that mean the valve cover gasket needs to be replaced each time you check? I've always been under the impression that they are single use only...
 
We have always used new when removing.and all the rubber bolt washers and plug gaskets..

Byron.. I have a new BMW cam gasket set in my toolbox if you want to make use of it..
 
Might be an idea to get the injectors flow tested, could have been running slightly lean on cylinder 5 hence the accelerated valve seat wear.
 
Mister T said:
Might be an idea to get the injectors flow tested, could have been running slightly lean on cylinder 5 hence the accelerated valve seat wear.
Click to expand...


already on it.... I'm going to whip them out during the downtime and send them off for cleaning and flow testing.
 
Z4M-2006 said:
We have always used new when removing.and all the rubber bolt washers and plug gaskets..

Byron.. I have a new BMW cam gasket set in my toolbox if you want to make use of it..
Click to expand...

let me know how much please buddy :-)
 
Mister T said:
Might be an idea to get the injectors flow tested, could have been running slightly lean on cylinder 5 hence the accelerated valve seat wear.
Click to expand...

In that case I'd expect the exhaust valves to have born the brunt of the high temps, not the inlet & the resulting off key engine performance to have been noticed or flagged up an engine light, don't forget this engine runs great and hasn't missed a beat.
Regards
 
Smartbear said:
Mister T said:
Might be an idea to get the injectors flow tested, could have been running slightly lean on cylinder 5 hence the accelerated valve seat wear.
Click to expand...

In that case I'd expect the exhaust valves to have born the brunt of the high temps, not the inlet & the resulting off key engine performance to have been noticed or flagged up an engine light, don't forget this engine runs great and hasn't missed a beat.
Regards
Click to expand...

was thinking that but will remove them anyway.... They are the oem injector from the m5 v10 model, brand new on this car... Also AFRs are monitored very carefully and lean would show on my real time AFR monitor and logs, the car is definitely running on the rich side as per ESS setup, they prefer to run slightly richer and not go for the glory figures.
 
Beedub said:
Z4M-2006 said:
We have always used new when removing.and all the rubber bolt washers and plug gaskets..

Byron.. I have a new BMW cam gasket set in my toolbox if you want to make use of it..
Click to expand...

let me know how much please buddy :-)
Click to expand...


You can have it if your ever over my way..
 
Perhaps I haven't followed properly but one thing I don 't understand is if there is no clearance at all then doesn't that mean the cam/follower/valve train is in contact all the time? And therefore you'd expect there to be very noticeable wear, especially on the cam lobes?
 
tertius said:
Perhaps I haven't followed properly but one thing I don 't understand is if there is no clearance at all then doesn't that mean the cam/follower/valve train is in contact all the time? And therefore you'd expect there to be very noticeable wear, especially on the cam lobes?
Click to expand...

have a look at the video and freeze it as it passes over the lobe, no noticeable wear at this point but it must have worn it prematurely... but visibly nothing, in-fact another lobe looked more visibly worn than this one... strangely. But as per the video, it all looks brand spankers in their, which was nice to see tbh.

I've got the cover off currently and its shiny like silver jewellery.
 
The cam lobes don't wear from permanent contact with the follower. They get in contact all the time. It's what they're designed to do.

There is only some clearance when the engine is cold, but if it would be adjusted 100%, there wouldnt be any clearance when the engine is up to temperature.
Now that there is no clearance on a cold engine, means that that valve doesnt shup properly like I wrote before and that is a serious problem (imho).

As for why it's in contact, that could be wear (on the valve seat for example)

I suspect this is a recent problem in contrast of what beedub thinks as an open valve would let out some exhaust gasses into the valvetrain area I imagine, but there is no sign of pollution in that engine.
First thing I would do is a compression test though (but that's just me)
 
Yes I worded it badly I didn't mean "contact" exactly but "excessive contact/force" i.e. the valve train is going to be exerting an unusual load on the cam.
 
As soon as she's back with the pro's ill update until then really... well its all a big guess tbh. i won't add anything further now until any meaningful information comes out... all i know is, its running in rude health, not a HINT of bad running , weird noises, anything really... its a very quiet S54. ( however any further journeys will be on a tow truck just to stop any further potential issues)
After a long talk with anthony over at simpson some of his theories make sense, right now, I'm not overly concerned. i will be if that tolerance closes up again however. I'm just pleased this has been discovered for me to deal with.

After speaking to a pro engine builder he muted it could just be natural bedding of the valve seat due to the low miles, high rev use, boost it see's.... again another POV.

again we'll put in a smaller shim, re-measure yearly... if it closes up again.. then ill spring into action, if not... i won't even give this a second thought tbh.
 
tertius said:
Yes I worded it badly I didn't mean "contact" exactly but "excessive contact/force" i.e. the valve train is going to be exerting an unusual load on the cam.
Click to expand...

The valvetrain won't be putting excessive contact/force on the cam.
The cam can take the full pressure of the spring, as it does when the peak of the lobe passes the follower.
Maybe the underside get's slightly more force, but still this is in it's farthest stretch of the spring, so that force is still neglectable. It's about the same force the cam gets when the engine is warm (then in ideal situations the cam is always in contact with the follower, otherwise it rattles a bit)

The cam mostly wears on the top of the lobes (there the force is highest).
 
Thought id update you guys....


I've decided to tackle this myself in the comfort of home.... no-one can take the love and care needed like myself, so..... I'm going to remove that shim myself, re-shim and then ill do it a complete shim check end of season next year! slightly nervous but I'm more than capable of doing this, just need to apply myself, however I'm well aware this is probably going to take me 3 times longer than it would the Pro's.

I've got some stuff to buy, bmw specific tools Etc, and ill picture the hole process, I'm actually alittle excited , as from doing this ill be much more in the know on the shim side of things. Time to get busy! :-)

Holiday then ill be jumping straight into this early november.
 
any tips, advise on shims, tools needed, general process then please chime in!! I'm going to need any advice possible ! ill take it all, negative vibe peeps please kindly Fack off.
 
i like the look of this set!!! perfect for my needs, need to do some research on the shims, but the brand is reputable and a shim is a shim... id like to use genuine bmw but the bmw shim kit is crazy money.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/S54_valve_adjustment/ES1893858/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom