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

S

Spaniarduk

Member
Hello everyone.

Who's done the Valve clearance check and shim replacement themselves. My Z4MR is now 30k miles and im guessing it's time to have the valve clearance checked.

1. Is it really as complex to do as many (including BMW) make out to be?

2. What special tools to you need, apart from the plastic tool with the magnet to remove the old and deposot the new shims in place?

3. Where do you source the replacement shims from? Any specific brand? Retailer? OEM BMW?

4. Is it possible to purchase individual shims in the required thicknesses?

5. Bearing in mind my garage is detached and not temperature controlled (very cold in the winter!) would you advice to wait for warmer weather due to the effect of temperature with tolerances?

Thanks in advanced
 
1. It's not complex but I wouldn't recommend DIY if you're not already an experienced DIYer. It does require a certain methodical approach and familiarity with using feeler gauges.

2. If I remember correctly the shim tool is the only necessary special tool required.

3. Get the Wiseco shim kit. People have had them tested and the characteristics (hardness, etc.) are the same as the OEM ones. That's what I use:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-s54-valve-adjustment-shim-kit-wiseco-vsk4.

4. You can buy individual shims from BMW but it's way too much screwing around and you have to go into the engine twice.

5. Definitely don't do it in the cold. It needs to be done at standard room temperature, around 25°C (give or take a reasonable tolerance of maybe 5-10°C).

Hope that helps! :)
 
[ref]Mangozac[/ref], wow excellent, thanks for all the info!
I guess itll be a job for the spring, then... oh well. I'll have to go in my garage and look at it while I sip on a hot cup of coffee. Zeddie is currently off the road.
 
[ref]Spaniarduk[/ref] no worries mate! There's heaps of related info on the internet (benefits of having a rare car that shares the engine with relatively high production performance car) but feel free to PM if you have any other questions ;)
Find one of the clearance charts online that have everything laid out as it helps make sure you're doing it the right way.
 
Mangozac said:
[ref]Spaniarduk[/ref] no worries mate! There's heaps of related info on the internet (benefits of having a rare car that shares the engine with relatively high production performance car) but feel free to PM if you have any other questions ;)
Find one of the clearance charts online that have everything laid out as it helps make sure you're doing it the right way.
Click to expand...

How lovely to read a positive and friendly post, top drawer :thumbsup:
 
Darren Slone said:
Mangozac said:
[ref]Spaniarduk[/ref] no worries mate! There's heaps of related info on the internet (benefits of having a rare car that shares the engine with relatively high production performance car) but feel free to PM if you have any other questions ;)
Find one of the clearance charts online that have everything laid out as it helps make sure you're doing it the right way.
Click to expand...

How lovely to read a positive and friendly post, top drawer :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: really helpful and encouraging indeed, Mangozac
 
Spaniarduk said:
Hello everyone.

Who's done the Valve clearance check and shim replacement themselves. My Z4MR is now 30k miles and im guessing it's time to have the valve clearance checked.

1. Is it really as complex to do as many (including BMW) make out to be?

2. What special tools to you need, apart from the plastic tool with the magnet to remove the old and deposot the new shims in place?

3. Where do you source the replacement shims from? Any specific brand? Retailer? OEM BMW?

4. Is it possible to purchase individual shims in the required thicknesses?

5. Bearing in mind my garage is detached and not temperature controlled (very cold in the winter!) would you advice to wait for warmer weather due to the effect of temperature with tolerances?

Thanks in advanced
Click to expand...

Hope all goes well Spaniard, I’ll be doing the same job come springtime too. Mangozac is quite right and just take your time, be methodical and don’t rush, you’ll be fine. Best of luck. :thumbsup:
 
[ref]john-e89[/ref], thanks John. I'll be plucking up the necessary bravery between now and the spring :tumbleweed: lol.
To be fair in my job I do carry out repairs (I'm a Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscopy service engineer) where in essence the processes and method are not that dissimilar. All i need is a quiet corner, pen, paper and break up the task. The rest comes on its own after that.

[ref]john-e89[/ref], it sounds like youve done this before. Where do you source your shims? Did you buy a whole kit or just the required ones, once you measured?
 
A ‘How to’ write up with tons of pics as you go along would be fab... I wouldn’t dare do it though am sure others would find it very helpful.

Just remember the pics, as without them
:worthless:
 
Spaniarduk said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], thanks John. I'll be plucking up the necessary bravery between now and the spring :tumbleweed: lol.
To be fair in my job I do carry out repairs (I'm a Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscopy service engineer) where in essence the processes and method are not that dissimilar. All i need is a quiet corner, pen, paper and break up the task. The rest comes on its own after that.

[ref]john-e89[/ref], it sounds like youve done this before. Where do you source your shims? Did you buy a whole kit or just the required ones, once you measured?
Click to expand...

Here’s the kit..

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/s54-valve-adjustment-kit-with-gaskets/83300493743~kt2/
 
Yorkie Z said:
Spaniarduk said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], thanks John. I'll be plucking up the necessary bravery between now and the spring :tumbleweed: lol.
To be fair in my job I do carry out repairs (I'm a Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscopy service engineer) where in essence the processes and method are not that dissimilar. All i need is a quiet corner, pen, paper and break up the task. The rest comes on its own after that.

[ref]john-e89[/ref], it sounds like youve done this before. Where do you source your shims? Did you buy a whole kit or just the required ones, once you measured?
Click to expand...

Here’s the kit..

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/s54-valve-adjustment-kit-with-gaskets/83300493743~kt2/
Click to expand...

The problem with buying the shim kit is you get a whole load of shims that are not really useful and not enough of the one's you will most likely need.
If time permits I would suggest measuring first and then buying those individual shims you require from BMW.
 
Darren Slone said:
How lovely to read a positive and friendly post, top drawer :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
For my mates and I helping each other DIY is a big part of what being a car enthusiast is about :)

Spaniarduk said:
To be fair in my job I do carry out repairs (I'm a Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscopy service engineer) where in essence the processes and method are not that dissimilar. All i need is a quiet corner, pen, paper and break up the task. The rest comes on its own after that.
Click to expand...
In that case you should be absolutely fine! Indeed it's not a dissimilar set of skills.

TomK said:
The problem with buying the shim kit is you get a whole load of shims that are not really useful and not enough of the one's you will most likely need.
If time permits I would suggest measuring first and then buying those individual shims you require from BMW.
Click to expand...
This is true, but the price of the kit is quite reasonable and it's rare that the kit won't suffice, so for me it's a convenience thing. Also, the cost of parts from BMW Australia is silly and it's not really cost effective to order just a couple of shims from overseas.
 
The point about temperature is a good one. You will find the just having the ambient go from 7’C to 20’C will put them out of spec (yes the tolerance really is that tight). The fact that the engine has to work just as well at 10’C as it does a 90’C does make a bit of a mockery out of it imho.
 
ph001 said:
The point about temperature is a good one. You will find the just having the ambient go from 7’C to 20’C will put them out of spec (yes the tolerance really is that tight). The fact that the engine has to work just as well at 10’C as it does a 90’C does make a bit of a mockery out of it imho.
Click to expand...

The engine doesn’t work so well at 10’C though, that’s why you need to let it warm up. The tolerance at cold is to compensate for the operating temperature.
 
[ref=#006600]srhutch[/ref], also a good point.
Overall it os clear that to be able to do a good job of the valve clearance check it is best for the engine to be at about 20C
 
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.
 
Spaniarduk said:
[ref]john-e89[/ref], thanks John. I'll be plucking up the necessary bravery between now and the spring :tumbleweed: lol.
To be fair in my job I do carry out repairs (I'm a Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscopy service engineer) where in essence the processes and method are not that dissimilar. All i need is a quiet corner, pen, paper and break up the task. The rest comes on its own after that.

[ref]john-e89[/ref], it sounds like youve done this before. Where do you source your shims? Did you buy a whole kit or just the required ones, once you measured?
Click to expand...

Hey Spaniard,

I used individual shims once I’d measured as these cars are a toy so time wasn’t an issue which was the best approach for me as I could get the exact shims I wanted. I can’t comment on the shim kits I’m afraid as I’ve never used one. Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine. :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom