e39 525i sport touring what oil you using
Discussion
getting onto about 90k mainly stop start miles for the past 10k and wondering what oil everyone is using... im on castrol edge 0/40 and am noticing an increase in consumption but within spec although recent compression test suggests i may need a new HG in time due to weirdness on cylinder 2
still about 1.5k miles between 1l top ups
still about 1.5k miles between 1l top ups
Very useful thanks. No visible oil leaks and rocker cover gasket new and no vac leaks or other stuff
There is def a hg issue as cyl 2 is down 30 psi based on 2 compression tests by respected indies. On the second test and I had a scope down there and there was some pitting of the hg
It's a real shame as it's sound in all other respects aside from customary rust in the usual areas. I don't mind getting the hg done as the car isn't going anywhere soon and will be passed amongst family members and generations until it gives up the ghost
Just trying to buy a bit of time
There is def a hg issue as cyl 2 is down 30 psi based on 2 compression tests by respected indies. On the second test and I had a scope down there and there was some pitting of the hg
It's a real shame as it's sound in all other respects aside from customary rust in the usual areas. I don't mind getting the hg done as the car isn't going anywhere soon and will be passed amongst family members and generations until it gives up the ghost
Just trying to buy a bit of time
Do some research into HG replacement on these cars; they don't take to it very well unfortunately. It's generally best to replace the whole engine rather than do the HG work; you could think about sourcing an M54 3.0 unit; IIRC it's a straight swap
Have you had a sniffer test done; is it certain it's HGF and not a gummed up CCV issue?
0W40 oil, IMO, is too thin, 5W30 or 5W40 is much better
Higher mile E39s will burn oil, but yours sounds like it's using a lot...
There's a wealth of knowledge over on: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/ Feel free to join up
Have you had a sniffer test done; is it certain it's HGF and not a gummed up CCV issue?
0W40 oil, IMO, is too thin, 5W30 or 5W40 is much better
Higher mile E39s will burn oil, but yours sounds like it's using a lot...
There's a wealth of knowledge over on: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/ Feel free to join up
d_a_n1979 said:
Do some research into HG replacement on these cars; they don't take to it very well unfortunately. It's generally best to replace the whole engine rather than do the HG work; you could think about sourcing an M54 3.0 unit; IIRC it's a straight swap
Have you had a sniffer test done; is it certain it's HGF and not a gummed up CCV issue?
0W40 oil, IMO, is too thin, 5W30 or 5W40 is much better
Higher mile E39s will burn oil, but yours sounds like it's using a lot...
There's a wealth of knowledge over on: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/ Feel free to join up
had no idea about the HG replacement issue.. Have you had a sniffer test done; is it certain it's HGF and not a gummed up CCV issue?
0W40 oil, IMO, is too thin, 5W30 or 5W40 is much better
Higher mile E39s will burn oil, but yours sounds like it's using a lot...
There's a wealth of knowledge over on: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/ Feel free to join up
.. yep sure its HG... had cpc in amersham and dm worx in stoke mandeville confirm the same findings. the scope wont lie and you could see the pitting and partial breach
issue with the engine swap is better the devil and all that... what if the next one is a duff unit?!
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 3rd June 20:54
If you're doing an engine swap then a 2.8 M52TU from a 99-2000 528i is a better unit. You'll need to swap over your inlet/exhaust manifolds and engine loom (2-3 hours) but it's a much better engine and doesn't suffer the piston ring wear of the M54. It'll go a bit better as well.
If yours hasn't yet overheated, a head gasket job might be okay. Still a lot of work though.
If yours hasn't yet overheated, a head gasket job might be okay. Still a lot of work though.
Interesting about the piston rings as that what my Indy suggested
It's not yet severe but in addition to the usual rust its looking uneconomic to repair the car to get it to a standard I am happy with
I always assumed the bodywork would need sorting so would be happy to throw a couple on it but I'm less happy to throw a couple more on engine stuff knowing its worth less than 4
It's not yet severe but in addition to the usual rust its looking uneconomic to repair the car to get it to a standard I am happy with
I always assumed the bodywork would need sorting so would be happy to throw a couple on it but I'm less happy to throw a couple more on engine stuff knowing its worth less than 4
RC1 said:
I always assumed the bodywork would need sorting so would be happy to throw a couple on it but I'm less happy to throw a couple more on engine stuff knowing its worth less than 4
A common conundrum for any owner of older cars, I find myself in a similar position with my E39. In my case it has been ruined by people reversing and side-swiping it. That's like £3k to get sorted to "like new" standard. And then there are all mechanical issues on a 20yr old car as things wear out.But then, if you get a 10yr old car, which will be built a bit differently than the E39, will it actually be any less expensive to maintain and run once you factor in added complication from more modern designs?
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