E91 Straight Six Bearding

[paulguitar]

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

By squinting really hard I can just about make out the part no. 33522406280.

Linky: You'll need two of these

Just been round to where parts are stored and the Sachs kit includes these items so I think I'm all set to tackle this job later this week!

Just double check they have the little metal 'tray' part. A lot of the top mount kits (and entire rear shock kits you can buy on eBay) exclude this but it almost certainly will need replacing. I've seen that you can buy them separately on ebay (or from the dealer if needed).

bmwmike said:

naturalaspiration said:

On both N53 and N52 valve stem seals harden with age due to very high running temperatures. But this should not affect driveability that much. I had them replaced on my N52 and not only had they been knackered but also the valve sleeves had gone - the too much play - duly replaced. The All this had been caused by high oil temps (oil thinning out) not helped by stupidly long oil change intervals. Now I only use 5W-40, LM Ceratec and will shortly be fitting a temperature sensor corrector to prevent DME from running the engine in low emission/ high temp mode.

Interesting. Not heard of them getting so bad the smoke or leak though - were yours that bad to cause smoke etc? Suprising as the same seals used on b48/b58/n54/n55/s58 and probably a few others too. My CCV went at 70k and was pulling oil into the inlet manifold and dripping into cylinders. Probably not so good for the injectors.

I think there was a thread recently where someone had intermittent running issues + blue smoke and one of the resident experts (Helix402 or Touring442 can't remember which) suggested most likely CCV.

Edit: Fount it: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by g3org3y on Tuesday 20th April 06:28

Thanks, everyone. I am off to a BMW specialist today to get some diagnostics done, hopefully, I will be able to report back later with some more info.

[paulguitar]

Well, had a chat with the chap who seemed pretty confident it is the high-pressure fuel pump on the way out. Of course, when he drove the car it failed to do the fault for him...

[paulguitar]

paulguitar said:

Well, had a chat with the chap who seemed pretty confident it is the high-pressure fuel pump on the way out. Of course, when he drove the car it failed to do the fault for him...

ETA. Seems the N53 and N53 HPFP's are the same part,13517616170.

BMW prices for these are insane, but there are some pattern parts on eBay for around £250, and for a similar amount, 'remanufactured' items which have a 24-month unlimited mileage warranty.

Can anyone please advise as to what might be the best bet here?

TIA.

[bmwmike]

HPFP fails are pretty rare these days but do happen. Same pump used across n54 and n55 too, if that helps you. I would want a solid diagnosis before parting with cash. Someone on here did one recently, 630i in readers cars possibly.

Oh and i'd not entertain an ebay special. They went through several iterations. See part numbers on realoem.

[g3org3y]

bmwmike said:

HPFP fails are pretty rare these days but do happen. Same pump used across n54 and n55 too, if that helps you. I would want a solid diagnosis before parting with cash. Someone on here did one recently, 630i in readers cars possibly.

Oh and i'd not entertain an ebay special. They went through several iterations. See part numbers on realoem.

This chap: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Would a HPFP issue cause blue smoke? (I presume through misfuelling?)

[paulguitar]

g3org3y said:

This chap: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Would a HPFP issue cause blue smoke? (I presume through misfuelling?)

Ah great, thanks, I will have a read through that thread.

Regarding the blue smoke, everyone is baffled. It did it once and it cleared right up after I had stopped and restarted the engine. Shouldn't I be getting smoke all of the time if there is some serious issue inside the engine?

I am planning to keep using the car to see what happens next. It's not using any significant amount of oil and aside from these 3 or 4 very short misfire incidents appears to be running completely sweetly. All very odd, especially to me, with my complete lack of mechanical understanding.

[bmwmike]

Blue smoke is probably the CCV. If you search bimmerprofs lots of info. Basically whip off cam cover and put your finger over the vent. If there is suction or a change in engine noise the diaphragm is ruptured and oil is getting into inlet manifold and then dripping into cylinder from open valve when sat overnight etc. Another test is with engine warm undo oil filler, should be no excess vacuum and engine note should not change for 10-15 seconds or so.

These are good engines but are complex on the fueling side and really need someone who knows what they are talking about to look at it.

Good info on hpfp diagnosis on bimmerprofs too.

[paulguitar]

bmwmike said:

Blue smoke is probably the CCV. If you search bimmerprofs lots of info. Basically whip off cam cover and put your finger over the vent. If there is suction or a change in engine noise the diaphragm is ruptured and oil is getting into inlet manifold and then dripping into cylinder from open valve when sat overnight etc. Another test is with engine warm undo oil filler, should be no excess vacuum and engine note should not change for 10-15 seconds or so.

These are good engines but are complex on the fueling side and really need someone who knows what they are talking about to look at it.

Good info on hpfp diagnosis on bimmerprofs too.

Thanks for this. I am hopelessly non-mechanically-minded but will have a read of that. Actually, the chap who did the diagnostics today did some kind of simple test involving pressure around the oil filler cap and thought the CCV seemed okay.

I am based in Shrewsbury, does anyone know of any N53 experts around here?

[beambeam1]

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

By squinting really hard I can just about make out the part no. 33522406280.

Linky: You'll need two of these

Just been round to where parts are stored and the Sachs kit includes these items so I think I'm all set to tackle this job later this week!

Just double check they have the little metal 'tray' part. A lot of the top mount kits (and entire rear shock kits you can buy on eBay) exclude this but it almost certainly will need replacing. I've seen that you can buy them separately on ebay (or from the dealer if needed).

Legend, thanks for dipping back in to the thread with these pearls of wisdom. Checked the kit over again and you're right enough it is sans parts you describe.

33526764418 supporting cup and 33506767010 mounting grommet being ordered in the morning when I bell my local BMW parts guy for some additional brake bits. Thanks again.

[naturalaspiration]

bmwmike said:

naturalaspiration said:

On both N53 and N52 valve stem seals harden with age due to very high running temperatures. But this should not affect driveability that much. I had them replaced on my N52 and not only had they been knackered but also the valve sleeves had gone - the too much play - duly replaced. The All this had been caused by high oil temps (oil thinning out) not helped by stupidly long oil change intervals. Now I only use 5W-40, LM Ceratec and will shortly be fitting a temperature sensor corrector to prevent DME from running the engine in low emission/ high temp mode.

Interesting. Not heard of them getting so bad the smoke or leak though - were yours that bad to cause smoke etc? Suprising as the same seals used on b48/b58/n54/n55/s58 and probably a few others too. My CCV went at 70k and was pulling oil into the inlet manifold and dripping into cylinders. Probably not so good for the injectors.

It was not that bad - a slight blueish smoke when you revved it in idle. As said I was going to leave it but then discovered those infamous head bolts.

[g3org3y]

beambeam1 said:

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

g3org3y said:

beambeam1 said:

By squinting really hard I can just about make out the part no. 33522406280.

Linky: You'll need two of these

Just been round to where parts are stored and the Sachs kit includes these items so I think I'm all set to tackle this job later this week!

Just double check they have the little metal 'tray' part. A lot of the top mount kits (and entire rear shock kits you can buy on eBay) exclude this but it almost certainly will need replacing. I've seen that you can buy them separately on ebay (or from the dealer if needed).

Legend, thanks for dipping back in to the thread with these pearls of wisdom. Checked the kit over again and you're right enough it is sans parts you describe.

33526764418 supporting cup and 33506767010 mounting grommet being ordered in the morning when I bell my local BMW parts guy for some additional brake bits. Thanks again.

No problem!

[AmirGSXR]

Hi All,

My 05 E90 330i (N52 with autobox) made an unusual clicking (or clacking) sound from the underneath of the car with gentle acceleration. The sound seems to be coming from the left hand side. I have recorded the sound and it can be heard from 13 seconds in the following video: https://youtu.be/seU0-y6ni1I

The noise appears worse when slightly turning the steering wheel while driving, or driving up an incline, but it's too early for me to detect a consistent pattern to when it its occurring.

The car appears to drive fine and the sound does not appear when I rev then engine at idle. The sound does not change or disappear if I use the brakes. There are no fault codes on the ECM (Checked with Creator 310) and no warning lights.

Does anyone have any idea what it could be? It has only started today, so whatever is the causing the sound is in its early days.

ETA: car is on 89,000 miles, recently passed MOT without any advisories.

Edited by AmirGSXR on Wednesday 21st April 22:53

[JakeT]

When it happens, knock it into neutral and see if the sound remains. It could be a Prop CV joint or one of them on the axles. I’d also get it in the air and spin the wheels to see if you can replicate it at all.

[AmirGSXR]

JakeT said:

When it happens, knock it into neutral and see if the sound remains. It could be a Prop CV joint or one of them on the axles. I’d also get it in the air and spin the wheels to see if you can replicate it at all.

Thanks Jake.

Quick update...I took it to my trusted BMW indy specialist and he test drove the car and said the sound is likely to be from the handbrake sticking. He lifted the handbrake up slightly while driving and the mechanism freed itself. He also put the car on the ramp and checked all wheel nuts were tight, brakes were fine and CV joint was all in good order. He advised to monitor the problem, and if it returns to get the car back to him so he can strip and clean/replace handbrake shoes.

The car is now not making the sound so it is likely the handbrake was causing the issue.

[Matt_E91]

Just picked this up. N52 325i Manual. After driving 220 miles back to London with it, I can confirm that this is a totally different machine to the N46 320i it replaced - it is really night and day. It’s quite amazing how much more refined the straight 6 is over a 4 pot - even the missus commented on the difference.

Was a fun drive back. Love it*

• ask me that in a months time!

[paulguitar]

Matt_E91 said:

Just picked this up. N52 325i Manual. After driving 220 miles back to London with it, I can confirm that this is a totally different machine to the N46 320i it replaced - it is really night and day. It’s quite amazing how much more refined the straight 6 is over a 4 pot - even the missus commented on the difference.

Was a fun drive back. Love it*

• ask me that in a months time!

Very nice, enjoy!

[survivalist]

paulguitar said:

g3org3y said:

This chap: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Would a HPFP issue cause blue smoke? (I presume through misfuelling?)

Ah great, thanks, I will have a read through that thread.

Regarding the blue smoke, everyone is baffled. It did it once and it cleared right up after I had stopped and restarted the engine. Shouldn't I be getting smoke all of the time if there is some serious issue inside the engine?

I am planning to keep using the car to see what happens next. It's not using any significant amount of oil and aside from these 3 or 4 very short misfire incidents appears to be running completely sweetly. All very odd, especially to me, with my complete lack of mechanical understanding.

I had intermittent rough running and the amber engine warning. Everything from occasional stumbling of the revs at idle all the way through to some pretty violent shaking after hard acceleration.

Read codes with Carly and at BMW and both showed nothing. About 4 weeks later the HPFP properly failed and was replaced under warranty.

[Mr Tidy]

Matt_E91 said:

Just picked this up. N52 325i Manual. After driving 220 miles back to London with it, I can confirm that this is a totally different machine to the N46 320i it replaced - it is really night and day. It’s quite amazing how much more refined the straight 6 is over a 4 pot - even the missus commented on the difference.

Was a fun drive back. Love it*

• ask me that in a months time!

I've never had a 4 cylinder petrol BMW, but love the N52 engine - I'm on my 4th car with one.

[Matt_E91]

Can anyone riddle me this. Sitting in traffic in neutral, clutch up, getting a jumpy idle on tick over dropping below 500 revs, then shaking then jumping back to 750.

Checked the Idrive and seems the spark plugs need changing in 4,000 miles so might be those?

No loss of power, runs fine just when standing in traffic this happens.

Thoughts appreciated.

[JakeT]

Check for vacuum leaks, VANOS issues, and if you can, generally scan codes. Plugs shouldn’t normally cause that sort of behaviour, they tend to cause a misfire. I could be wrong though.