04 BMW 325i M54 valvetrain pics

[wirelessF]

Did the valve cover gasket on my aunts bimmer today. 44K miles on it, short tripper car, oil changes were done at a oil change shop so unknown OCI.

Maybe it looks better without all the plastic?

 

[FirstNissan]

Looks really clean to me. Bulk oil or syn used?

 

[djb]

You can see why draining to the last drip is pointless. What you can't see is how much oil remains in the VANOS actuators.

BMW specs this engine to use a high additive package synthetic BMW-LL98 or LL01. With that low mileage, it might have been changed every two years with the specified oil or every year with a lower additive package synthetic.

If you follow BMW's fluid recommendations, the engine is very unlikely to die from oil-related wear or failure. A coolant system failure will always kill it first.

 

[sprintman]

Originally Posted By: djb
You can see why draining to the last drip is pointless. What you can't see is how much oil remains in the VANOS actuators.

BMW specs this engine to use a high additive package synthetic BMW-LL98 or LL01. With that low mileage, it might have been changed every two years with the specified oil or every year with a lower additive package synthetic.

If you follow BMW's fluid recommendations, the engine is very unlikely to die from oil-related wear or failure. A coolant system failure will always kill it first.



Bulletproof engine with a toy cooling system. E46 change the expansion tank, thermostat, hoses, every 5 years, coolant every 2. Maybe radiator at 10 years.

 

[Barkleymut]

when are you going to run auto rx or kreen?

 

[wirelessF]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan
Looks really clean to me. Bulk oil or syn used?


Not sure. Might have to ask her how much she pays for an oil change.

 

[Clevy]

Looks great.

 

[edwardh1]

why did you change the valve cover gasket? was it leaking at 44

 

[SMB]

Clean engine and thanks for posting pictures!

 

[OVERKILL]

I'm very interested in the oil used and at what interval it has been changed. This is much cleaner than my examples from our M54's.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
why did you change the valve cover gasket? was it leaking at 44


Wouldn't surprise me, that's why the valve covers were off both of ours. They seem to dry up very early on and get brittle. Poor choice of rubber IMHO.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
I'm very interested in the oil used and at what interval it has been changed. This is much cleaner than my examples from our M54's.

It only has 44K miles. That's about 5K miles per year. If he had annual oil changes done on this car (as most people do who do not drive a whole lot), then the clean state of affairs is not surprising, regardless which oil was used, IMO.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
why did you change the valve cover gasket? was it leaking at 44


Wouldn't surprise me, that's why the valve covers were off both of ours.

Yup. Mine needed a VCG at around the same mileage.

 

[Vikas]

what are those home made wiring harness doing there? there is no way that came from factory! even GM did not do like that in 70s

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
what are those home made wiring harness doing there? there is no way that came from factory! even GM did not do like that in 70s


You mean the coil plugs? Yeah, BMW changed the design.

Here are the ones on our '00 328i:

Here are the ones on my sister's '03 330i:

 

[wirelessF]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
why did you change the valve cover gasket? was it leaking at 44


Wouldn't surprise me, that's why the valve covers were off both of ours. They seem to dry up very early on and get brittle. Poor choice of rubber IMHO.


What brand did you go with? I bought Victor Reinz gaskets and grommets at the local NAPA.

 

[wirelessF]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
It only has 44K miles. That's about 5K miles per year. If he had annual oil changes done on this car (as most people do who do not drive a whole lot), then the clean state of affairs is not surprising, regardless which oil was used, IMO.


The inspection display at startup shows 4300mi. I'm guessing that's the OCI based on driving patterns?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: wirelessF
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
why did you change the valve cover gasket? was it leaking at 44


Wouldn't surprise me, that's why the valve covers were off both of ours. They seem to dry up very early on and get brittle. Poor choice of rubber IMHO.


What brand did you go with? I bought Victor Reinz gaskets and grommets at the local NAPA.


OEM through Maranello BMW.

If Felpro made a silicone replacement, I'd be all over it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: wirelessF
The inspection display at startup shows 4300mi. I'm guessing that's the OCI based on driving patterns?

Is this "miles left before next oil change is due"? If so, what did it start at? 15K?

 

[ARB1977]

Nice.