E61 V8 Bearding
Discussion
thanks for the replies. its currently going through diagnostics but basically it was bought as a non runner. I was given info that it could have been run without no oil so was just looking around to weigh up my options. can I ask when you rang up did you come across any companies that had previously done one and had a good reputation as theres a lot of cowboy places when it comes to engine rebuilds.
deebow said:
thanks for the replies. its currently going through diagnostics but basically it was bought as a non runner. I was given info that it could have been run without no oil so was just looking around to weigh up my options. can I ask when you rang up did you come across any companies that had previously done one and had a good reputation as theres a lot of cowboy places when it comes to engine rebuilds.
I found one near me that I would have used. They sounded very knowledgeable on the phone and do a lot of rebuilds. I am in the South East, so unfortunately not much use to you. Best suggestion would be to ring up a few places and see what sort of vibes you get from them. Once you have done that, Google the companies and ask around on forums about them.
deebow said:
thanks for the replies. its currently going through diagnostics but basically it was bought as a non runner. I was given info that it could have been run without no oil so was just looking around to weigh up my options. can I ask when you rang up did you come across any companies that had previously done one and had a good reputation as theres a lot of cowboy places when it comes to engine rebuilds.
Where in Yorkshire are you? Anthony at the BMW Workshop looks after my 550i. He's ex main dealer but he's not scared to pull an engine apart! His rates aren't anywhere near main dealer but they are more than a back street place.. Give him a bell and see what he says?Other than that you could try Paul Metcalf at Metcalf Autos (Sherburn In Elmet) they're good too that charge less than the above.. They used to run BMW race cars and a guy on here has them look after his E30 M3, so could be worth a shout.
philmots said:
I put about half a litre in mine, that was over about 5000 miles. I don't think that's anything like unusual. No smoking and no clouds of smoke either!
If it developed an issue it would still have to be quite severe (like Smashie's, although was something different) to have the job done.
Cheers guys...id say mine is noticeable but not terrible...never knew it had an actual real life dipstick either...thought it was only electronic...will have a look for it :-) If it developed an issue it would still have to be quite severe (like Smashie's, although was something different) to have the job done.
I found my dipstick today. Not really an obvious place to put it, having to pull it horizontally.
1st time I have driven the car in about 2 weeks today as I have been been in bed ill. Unfortunately the rear wiper had seized so I decided to fix it. Got the mechanism off and covered it in penetrating oil, but I could not get the spindle out to clean it, so I hit it with a big rubber hammer. It moved, so I hit it a few more times and then the metal broke so I now have a new one on order. I should have stopped when the metal broken between the catch to lock the glass in place and the spindle, but thought I would carry on and then more meta broke. Should have left the penetrating oil a bit longer than 10 minutes I guess! Oh well new part arriving tomorrow or day after hopefully so will be all fixed.
1st time I have driven the car in about 2 weeks today as I have been been in bed ill. Unfortunately the rear wiper had seized so I decided to fix it. Got the mechanism off and covered it in penetrating oil, but I could not get the spindle out to clean it, so I hit it with a big rubber hammer. It moved, so I hit it a few more times and then the metal broke so I now have a new one on order. I should have stopped when the metal broken between the catch to lock the glass in place and the spindle, but thought I would carry on and then more meta broke. Should have left the penetrating oil a bit longer than 10 minutes I guess! Oh well new part arriving tomorrow or day after hopefully so will be all fixed.
virgil said:
philmots said:
I put about half a litre in mine, that was over about 5000 miles. I don't think that's anything like unusual. No smoking and no clouds of smoke either!
If it developed an issue it would still have to be quite severe (like Smashie's, although was something different) to have the job done.
Cheers guys...id say mine is noticeable but not terrible...never knew it had an actual real life dipstick either...thought it was only electronic...will have a look for it :-) If it developed an issue it would still have to be quite severe (like Smashie's, although was something different) to have the job done.
Anybody had their water pump fail on them? Was driving over the weekend, went to pull into the driveway when the steering went heavy. Thought the active steering had switched itself off. Drove another few hundred yards to turn around as I missed the driveway and cue all the coolant vaporising in the engine bay, shooting a cloud of steam out of the grilles. I killed the engine immediately and proceeded to use quite a lot of industrial language.
I thought it was a cracked expansion tank or radiator had blown, but when trying to top up the system with water, it drains straight out behind the belts and cranks at the front of the engine. The belt has almost slipped off after having been drenched with coolant, so I suspect that the PAS pump and alternator weren't being driven, hence the heavy steering. My thought it that given the location of the leak, it's the water pump. Anybody suspect otherwise?
Seeing as I was 200 miles from home at my parents, I'm driving around in their Merc C240 pool car whilst the BMW sits at the garage and thinks about what it's done.
ETA: on the morning of the day it failed, I topped up with oil and switched the engine on. When it turned over I did notice a loud screeching noise, almost like worn bearings. Perhaps coincidental and I'm suffering confirmation bias?
I thought it was a cracked expansion tank or radiator had blown, but when trying to top up the system with water, it drains straight out behind the belts and cranks at the front of the engine. The belt has almost slipped off after having been drenched with coolant, so I suspect that the PAS pump and alternator weren't being driven, hence the heavy steering. My thought it that given the location of the leak, it's the water pump. Anybody suspect otherwise?
Seeing as I was 200 miles from home at my parents, I'm driving around in their Merc C240 pool car whilst the BMW sits at the garage and thinks about what it's done.
ETA: on the morning of the day it failed, I topped up with oil and switched the engine on. When it turned over I did notice a loud screeching noise, almost like worn bearings. Perhaps coincidental and I'm suffering confirmation bias?
Edited by Theophany on Tuesday 29th March 09:37
Edited by Theophany on Tuesday 29th March 09:38
I'm afraid this sounds like the front seal on the transfer pipe that runs down the middle of the block.
Various solutions available that allow a new pipe and seal to be inserted and then expanded into place avoiding significant strip down on the heads. This is reflected in their price.
Depending on mileage and intentions on keeping the car ID seriously think about doing valve seals and this pipe together now using the BMW part.
I had one of these cars and dealer took it back after the blue smoke attack and significant oil consumption. My block was scored and unrepairable (alusil rehoning is beyond economic sense). Get it boroscoped first, then if all OK, do valve seals and transfer pipe and then regular oil changes . you should then be good !
Various solutions available that allow a new pipe and seal to be inserted and then expanded into place avoiding significant strip down on the heads. This is reflected in their price.
Depending on mileage and intentions on keeping the car ID seriously think about doing valve seals and this pipe together now using the BMW part.
I had one of these cars and dealer took it back after the blue smoke attack and significant oil consumption. My block was scored and unrepairable (alusil rehoning is beyond economic sense). Get it boroscoped first, then if all OK, do valve seals and transfer pipe and then regular oil changes . you should then be good !
ian_cab28 said:
I'm afraid this sounds like the front seal on the transfer pipe that runs down the middle of the block.
Various solutions available that allow a new pipe and seal to be inserted and then expanded into place avoiding significant strip down on the heads. This is reflected in their price.
Depending on mileage and intentions on keeping the car ID seriously think about doing valve seals and this pipe together now using the BMW part.
I had one of these cars and dealer took it back after the blue smoke attack and significant oil consumption. My block was scored and unrepairable (alusil rehoning is beyond economic sense). Get it boroscoped first, then if all OK, do valve seals and transfer pipe and then regular oil changes . you should then be good !
>Industrial language.Various solutions available that allow a new pipe and seal to be inserted and then expanded into place avoiding significant strip down on the heads. This is reflected in their price.
Depending on mileage and intentions on keeping the car ID seriously think about doing valve seals and this pipe together now using the BMW part.
I had one of these cars and dealer took it back after the blue smoke attack and significant oil consumption. My block was scored and unrepairable (alusil rehoning is beyond economic sense). Get it boroscoped first, then if all OK, do valve seals and transfer pipe and then regular oil changes . you should then be good !
Fiddlesticks.
>Industrial language.
So a low loader is coming today to pick up the car from the garage I had it towed to. Upon inspection, they've decided they don't have the skills or desire to get stuck into a whacking great V8. Car should be at another garage nearby I've used in the past this afternoon.
Anyway, as per my morbid fascination with just how much this is going to cost I've looked into the symptoms I experienced and I think it is actually more likely to be the water pump that's gone. The coolant was leaking from where the water pump is situated (lower right hand side of the top belt pulley) just around the belt. It appears that the weep hole leak that would signify a knackered crossover pipe is slightly above and to the left of the top belt pulley. A blown gasket on the water pump would explain the total loss of coolant in such a short space of time.
Wishful thinking, perhaps? Either way I doubt it's going to be a cheap invoice, I'm just itching to know what it is that caused me to dirty my pants.
Anyway, as per my morbid fascination with just how much this is going to cost I've looked into the symptoms I experienced and I think it is actually more likely to be the water pump that's gone. The coolant was leaking from where the water pump is situated (lower right hand side of the top belt pulley) just around the belt. It appears that the weep hole leak that would signify a knackered crossover pipe is slightly above and to the left of the top belt pulley. A blown gasket on the water pump would explain the total loss of coolant in such a short space of time.
Wishful thinking, perhaps? Either way I doubt it's going to be a cheap invoice, I'm just itching to know what it is that caused me to dirty my pants.
men3cac said:
Have any of you changed the exhaust to something a bit fruitier? I'd like a bit of V8 ness to follow me round, but keep the refinement on motorways. Any ideas?
I nearly did on my 545i - I found an Alpina B5 exhaust at a very good price which I was told bolts straight on. I'm not sure whether it does because my gearbox went before I committed to the purchase (replaced under warranty, but it distracted me from modifications).men3cac said:
Have any of you changed the exhaust to something a bit fruitier? I'd like a bit of V8 ness to follow me round, but keep the refinement on motorways. Any ideas?
Search the thread - I had a custom, stainless cat-back system built by Profusion near Heathrow - it has fruit and refinement. Best mod I've ever done to any car!men3cac said:
Have any of you changed the exhaust to something a bit fruitier? I'd like a bit of V8 ness to follow me round, but keep the refinement on motorways. Any ideas?
In the meantime have a look up the exhaust pipes, one has a flap that opens and closes. I've wired mine open and I'm really happy with it. I'd maybe hope there was a slight bit more but it's not worth it for the price of an exhaust for me.The flap normally stays shut at low revs and light throttle to keep it quiet round town but then opens on heavy throttle and high revs to make it more vocal.
Shirt587 said:
What's going on with these things? Six months ago, they were being sold as soon as they went anywhere near the market; mine has now been up for three weeks and I've had three obvious scams and one guy who lost interest when he realised it wasn't diesel... 
Where are you advertising it?If you let us know, perhaps we can take a look at the ad/ pics and give some advice?
A few people are looking for one at the moment, so it ought to fly off the shelf if it's well-priced and problem free.
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