2013 BMW 125i 6 on the floor (N52)

[B'stard Child]

helix402 said:

I would only change the cam cover gasket if that’s all that’s faulty. I’ve done a cam cover gasket on an N52 (2007) with over 200k and all the pipes you mention were fine.

Appreciate the feedback - it's only done 66,000 miles but for the cam cover gasket to have oil mist around it - there must be a reason - I'm think probably partially blocked PCV is increasing crank case pressure as a result.

If I'm going to take the cam cover off I'm going to try to do everything possible at the same time because I hate doing jobs twice

[B'stard Child]

Meanwhile new filter cap and internals assembled with a new filter ready with the required tools



For the sake of a few quid I'd rather use a new filter



Pulling the old filter off was actually easy but again the stub that's it's mounted on fell apart



The insert has lost some of it's tangs - I assume I'll find them in the sump one day unless the pump has liquidised them



I'm happier that the filter holder is now as it should be - £40 for filter holder/cap and a filter is a small price for peace of mind

[bolidemichael]

helix402 said:

I would only change the cam cover gasket if that’s all that’s faulty. I’ve done a cam cover gasket on an N52 (2007) with over 200k and all the pipes you mention were fine.

I say 'go away with your informed nonsense'.

1) BC likes to keep himself busy

2) We need something to read

[B'stard Child]

bolidemichael said:

helix402 said:

I would only change the cam cover gasket if that’s all that’s faulty. I’ve done a cam cover gasket on an N52 (2007) with over 200k and all the pipes you mention were fine.

I say 'go away with your informed nonsense'.

1) BC likes to keep himself busy

2) We need something to read

I'm not doing it till my ankle is better and the weather is warmer so you might have a bit of a wait

[bolidemichael]

B'stard Child said:

bolidemichael said:

helix402 said:

I would only change the cam cover gasket if that’s all that’s faulty. I’ve done a cam cover gasket on an N52 (2007) with over 200k and all the pipes you mention were fine.

I say 'go away with your informed nonsense'.

1) BC likes to keep himself busy

2) We need something to read

I'm not doing it till my ankle is better and the weather is warmer so you might have a bit of a wait

I should get around to updating my thread then, to keep you out of Mrs BC's hair!

[B'stard Child]

bolidemichael said:

I should get around to updating my thread then, to keep you out of Mrs BC's hair!

Updates to that thread are always appreciated

[B'stard Child]

The deformation of the oil filter was niggling at me so went googling

Found this article

https://bimmerprofs.com/oil-changed-just-now/

Well that filter looks familiar!!!!!

I have the service history and last oil change was 55,377 miles - I purchased the car at 58,000 miles

Now I always go thro all the fluids quickly after purchase - I did the diff and gearbox oil but didn't do the engine oil because it would be a bit of a waste to replace it after less than 3000 miles and to be honest I wasn't flush with cash having taken a beating in depreciation on the skud.

It's now done 66,000 miles so probably a bit overdue by my normal stds but the rona has meant it's been a funny old time

The O ring seal on the Oil filter cap was a bit brittle - they tend to do that over time (with heat) but it seemed a bit too buggered

I think my money says the filter may not have been changed at the last oil change.........

Lesson learnt........

[PT1984]

I would drop the sump. You know there is going to be at least some plastic in there. And if the filter looks like that, what are the chances the pick up may have some blocking too?

All the cars I have done have had some blockage of the pick up. Of course VW’s are worst. And there will be some sludge too. It just happens when oils are mixed.

[B'stard Child]

PT1984 said:

I would drop the sump. You know there is going to be at least some plastic in there. And if the filter looks like that, what are the chances the pick up may have some blocking too?

All the cars I have done have had some blockage of the pick up. Of course VW’s are worst. And there will be some sludge too. It just happens when oils are mixed.

I probably will before the next oil change - it will be easier in Will's Pit and I'll try not to fall in it again

The oil that I drained didn't have any bad signs in it - certainly no bits

[JakeT]

Looks like the filter wasn't changed. I don't get it. Expecially on these cars. The filter is on the top, less than a tenner, and easily replaced. Filters on the older BMW engines do similar when they've been left in an engine too long, too. Some even break up if they've been in there a really long time.

Dropping the sump requires the front subframe to be lowered too, and the engine supported from above. The sump gasket on my car was just getting to the point where it was a 'leak' last year. So I paid someone to do it for me.

You'll need a new gasket and new bolts that hold the sump on as they're the one time use Aluminium bolts these engines need.

Levin said:

Not seeking to hijack the thread on what must be commended as a lovely car, but how would I go about accessing TIS? There are a few websites claiming to be the real deal but I'm suspicious of every one of them as they're asking for payment.

Sadly now BMW used copyright to remove TIS from the usual places, which is a crying shame. It is really handy. You can pay for access to it directly, and some people sell copies of TIS on a DVD that can be installed to a computer. I have a copy installed on my workstation so that I can remote access it on a phone or iPad when I am working on the car.

[B'stard Child]

I managed to get a second hand rear box from Latvia

Cleared my welding table



Drew some cut lines



Got the angry grinder out with a 1mm slitting disc

Made a hole and removed some wadding



Removed some more



Now I can see what I need to do



To be continued

[Court_S]

I’ll be refreshing this page frantically waiting for updates....

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

I’ll be refreshing this page frantically waiting for updates....

Be tomorrow now - other events got me in from the garage

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

I’ll be refreshing this page frantically waiting for updates....

Be tomorrow now - other events got me in from the garage

Oh er!

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

I’ll be refreshing this page frantically waiting for updates....

Be tomorrow now - other events got me in from the garage

Oh er!

Nothing fun my neighbour has decided to fall down the stairs

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Nothing fun my neighbour has decided to fall down the stairs

Hope they’re Ok.

My old neighbour did that; her and her partner had been out for a few beers the night before. She got up in the night to go to the loo (downstairs, old house). She slipped and fell and died. Her partner flounder her the next morning.

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

B'stard Child said:

Nothing fun my neighbour has decided to fall down the stairs

Hope they’re Ok.

Ambulance and a Hospital job

Court_S said:

My old neighbour did that; her and her partner had been out for a few beers the night before. She got up in the night to go to the loo (downstairs, old house). She slipped and fell and died. Her partner flounder her the next morning.

Same happened to a work colleague a few years back - wasn't that old either - same thing a friend found him next day

[aka_kerrly]

Court_S said:

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

I’ll be refreshing this page frantically waiting for updates....

Be tomorrow now - other events got me in from the garage

Oh er!

although not laughing at the neighbour's situation.

I presume you are effectively hollowing out the back box then?

[B'stard Child]

aka_kerrly said:

I presume you are effectively hollowing out the back box then?

Nope - Trying to modify the internals to replicate the "unobtanium" alternative that is the BMW Performance option

So selective covering of some internal perforated pipes inside the box (stage by stage with a noise test between so that I don't exceed the static test for my local circuit) - Have a track day booked for end of April

Earlier in the thread I got the original rear box modified so it could be removed on it's own (Std exhaust is one piece from the cats back so it's a bit of a PITA to remove and work with it)

I purchased a second hand 125i Coupe rear box - and I'll do all the work on that - If I make it too loud that it trips the static test - I'll swap back to the std box if I can't reverse the modification in time for the track day but I'm hoping I can get all or at least some of the stages done in time.

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Nope - Trying to modify the internals to replicate the "unobtanium" alternative that is the BMW Performance option

So selective covering of some internal perforated pipes inside the box (stage by stage with a noise test between so that I don't exceed the static test for my local circuit) - Have a track day booked for end of April

Earlier in the thread I got the original rear box modified so it could be removed on it's own (Std exhaust is one piece from the cats back so it's a bit of a PITA to remove and work with it)

I purchased a second hand 125i Coupe rear box - and I'll do all the work on that - If I make it too loud that it trips the static test - I'll swap back to the std box if I can't reverse the modification in time for the track day but I'm hoping I can get all or at least some of the stages done in time.

It looks pretty similar to a guide that someone posted (doesn’t look too hard but I can’t weld).

They were happy with the results.