Valve clearance check and shim replacement. Input from the DIY-er

Thanks [ref]john-e89[/ref], just what i was thinking. My Z4MR is a fair weather toy, so no particular rush in getting it done. Only shame is that I'll have to wait for the warmer weather to do it.
The kit mentioned in one of the other posts seems amazing value, though!
 
Spaniarduk said:
Thanks [ref]john-e89[/ref], just what i was thinking. My Z4MR is a fair weather toy, so no particular rush in getting it done. Only shame is that I'll have to wait for the warmer weather to do it.
The kit mentioned in one of the other posts seems amazing value, though!
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It does certainly, however my slight ocd would leave a thought always wondering if the kit shims are as hard as OEM, buying genuine shims knocks that issue out. Maybe they’re all made by the same people I don’t know but....you get it. But maybe that’s just me being a bit OTT admittedly. :roll:
 
BMWZ4MC said:
Having seen the instructions with the kit, I’m think I’ll adjust the valve clearances on mine next time. It removes the stress of trying to find a competent mechanic with experience of the S54 in Sydney too.
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Richard I’m coming over in April with Swmbo, with a bit of luck you’ll get that drink I owe you :drinkwine: :drinkwine: we’re staying in North Curl Curl on the Northern Beaches :thumbsup: sorry OP for the highjack :oops: :thumbsup:
 
john-e89 said:
It does certainly, however my slight ocd would leave a thought always wondering if the kit shims are as hard as OEM, buying genuine shims knocks that issue out. Maybe they’re all made by the same people I don’t know but....you get it. But maybe that’s just me being a bit OTT admittedly. :roll:
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John, I've seen on the E46 forums people have had the Wiseco shims tested and shown them to be identical to the OEM shims in regards to size, hardness, etc. It's good enough for my level of OCD :)

Edit: I decided to be less lazy and actually look up the post. I think this is as good a recommendation as any: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=467647
 
Darren Slone said:
BMWZ4MC said:
Having seen the instructions with the kit, I’m think I’ll adjust the valve clearances on mine next time. It removes the stress of trying to find a competent mechanic with experience of the S54 in Sydney too.
Click to expand...

Richard I’m coming over in April with Swmbo, with a bit of luck you’ll get that drink I owe you :drinkwine: :drinkwine: we’re staying in North Curl Curl on the Northern Beaches :thumbsup: sorry OP for the highjack :oops: :thumbsup:
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Excellent, I’ll PM my number to you :thumbsup:
 
Mangozac said:
john-e89 said:
It does certainly, however my slight ocd would leave a thought always wondering if the kit shims are as hard as OEM, buying genuine shims knocks that issue out. Maybe they’re all made by the same people I don’t know but....you get it. But maybe that’s just me being a bit OTT admittedly. :roll:
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John, I've seen on the E46 forums people have had the Wiseco shims tested and shown them to be identical to the OEM shims in regards to size, hardness, etc. It's good enough for my level of OCD :)

Edit: I decided to be less lazy and actually look up the post. I think this is as good a recommendation as any: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=467647
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Well there you go, just ask someone who knows... :lol:

Thanks very much for that Mangozac, very good info. :thumbsup:
 
I’ve been using the wiseco shims for years and so far (touch wood) nothing out of the ordinary has happened. They don’t appear to wear abnormally compared to the oem shims and are still in spec when used and checked with a micrometer.

Apart from the shim tool, you’ll need a big ol’ socket to turn the engine-I think it’s 32mm from memory, but check that on one of the guides online. :)
 
Thanks [ref]beanie[/ref].
Every how many miles do you check the valve clearance? Do you find you have to replace shims every time you check the valve clearance?
 
They’re meant to be checked every inspection so that’s a maximum of about 28k miles if you go by the service indicator.

I tend to do them once, sometimes twice a year and although some might find it excessive, I’ve generally found I’ll need to change a couple of shims.

No harm to be doing it yearly imo and tbh, if mine was a track car I’d do it more frequently.
 
beanie said:
They’re meant to be checked every inspection so that’s a maximum of about 28k miles if you go by the service indicator.

I tend to do them once, sometimes twice a year and although some might find it excessive, I’ve generally found I’ll need to change a couple of shims.

No harm to be doing it yearly imo and tbh, if mine was a track car I’d do it more frequently.
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It makes sense... my Z had its Inspection 2 done shortly befpre i bought it 2 years ago at 26k miles at an official BMW dealer. That Inspection 2 cost just over 600 quid and there was no mention to any valve clearance check being done, which I thought was a little odd. Now it's just over 30k and I begining to feel it's overdue. :?
 
Spaniarduk said:
beanie said:
They’re meant to be checked every inspection so that’s a maximum of about 28k miles if you go by the service indicator.

I tend to do them once, sometimes twice a year and although some might find it excessive, I’ve generally found I’ll need to change a couple of shims.

No harm to be doing it yearly imo and tbh, if mine was a track car I’d do it more frequently.
Click to expand...

It makes sense... my Z had its Inspection 2 done shortly befpre i bought it 2 years ago at 26k miles at an official BMW dealer. That Inspection 2 cost just over 600 quid and there was no mention to any valve clearance check being done, which I thought was a little odd. Now it's just over 30k and I begining to feel it's overdue. :?
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This is the exact reason I’m so anti dealers, they’ll happily take £600 off you for changing, if they even did that, the oil. I’d bet my best poker hand on them going nowhere near the valve clearances. Even if you specify it before the ins 2 I’d wager they just give you a load of bull***t and say all is well, all within tolerance based on the engine sound alone. They’re crooks.
 
I think I remember mmm-five having evidence that the cam cover hadn’t been removed despite the dealer claiming to have checked the valve clearances...
Like many things in life, if you have the skills you’re better doing it yourself!
 
I wonder how many ZM cars are running around that haven’t had the running in service done by the stealers,despite what the book says, there will 100% be some. These cars especially bring out a quite extraordinary level of paranoia in some people, stating that they refuse to buy one without a full dealer history. Personally I’d rather buy one that hadn’t got that, the more Indi services the better, at least that way you stand half a chance that the thing has had some oil at some point.
 
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