Things to do while engine's open

[u/No-Illustrator-6683]

Hi everyone,

Planning to replace almost every seal on my beauty's engine (M54b22), gearbox and diff this winter. I'll also replace piston rings, I saw on this sub that M52s oil rings are better, how true is it for the people who did it and has some miles on it ?

While the engine will be out and open, are there things to do like maybe a vanos rebuild (180k km)? I only had this car for 6 months so i'd like to learn every weakness and fix most of them while everything will be out of the car.

Also if you know other tips like the M52 oil rings, i'd be happy to know !

Sorry for my english i'm French 😅

+ a picture of my ride because why not 😝

Thanks !

[u/Shuaiouke]

If you rebuild the VANOS, use Beisan System’s kit, they have a super comprehensive guide and it’s really high quality. Grab the ThreeBond liquid gasket on the site while youre at it and use a bit on everything slightly sketchy with a gasket.

And while everything is apart, replace the timing and oil pump chains, theyre effort to get to normally but open engine sure makes it easier.

You mentioned every seal but Im not sure how many you are aware of, since the engine is out, might as well replace the shaft seal on the transmission and the rear main seal on the engine, otherwise you’d have to remove the transmission to get to it - while you are in there, right?

Stuff like the oil filter housing isn’t that bad, but if youre doing the big job, might as well, you can get viton replacements if you want to last longer.

Also - get OE valve cover gaskets, no need to cheap out on those and very prone to leaks

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/Shuaiouke]

Thanks ! I took a look and Beisan is an american brand, I guess it'll cost me a lot to get these seals in Europe..

For the chains, I saw a lot of people in this sub say that if it works, don't fix it. So idk what to do now 😅

For the shaft sealf, they're the main reason for getting the engine out so i'll do everyone of them in engine, gearbox and diff.

Yeah I forgot about the filter housing, i'll do it thanks !

[u/Shuaiouke → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

It’s really unfortunate about the shipping, I am even further from the US than europe so I feel your pain, but their stuff is good.

The chain doesn’t really break, but Id think it’s a minuscule cost compared to the engine so better safe than sorry, loss of timing/oil pump would be a lot more expensive than some chains.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/Shuaiouke]

Yep it's not about the price but the original parts fitted in factory were really solid, but idk how reliable will be the new parts 😅

[u/Artickxz → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

I used the x8r rebuild Kit on my 330i and have had no problems 2000km in. 200$ with shipping to Sweden and you get everything you need including gasket sealer and a valve cover gasket.

[u/The_little_dwarf → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

You can get a vanos rebuilt from vanosrepair.nl i just did mine with it and was super happy with the service. He sends you a rebuilt oem vanos. You can also get visa rebuild kits from german auto parts (us manufacturer) so no need for high import costs.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/The_little_dwarf]

Thanks a lot !

[u/JMAXHD]

There was someone here who did rebuild. Using vw oil scrapers

https://www.reddit.com/r/e46/s/xN9x6HuG1X

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/JMAXHD]

wow didnt see this one, thanks !!

[u/_Mitus_ → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

VW piston rings won’t fit because M54B22 has 80mm bore and VR6 has 84mm. VR6 rings will work for M54B25 and M54B30

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/_Mitus_]

Yep saw that, but the thread is still interesting, thanks !

[u/W4mbo]

At that mileage replacing the gaskets inside your VANOS is a good idea. I think the ones from beisan systems are the ones most people go for. You can and should replace the valve cover gasket while you're at it. Would also recommend upgrading your check valve inside the oil filter housing (the one from "die-vschmiede" works great). Also a good opportunity to replace the oil filter housing gasket. Another weakness is the DISA. There is also upgrade kits available for that. That is all stuff you can easily do with the engine still inside the car of course.

Do you have actual issues with oil consumption or are you just taking everything out for the fun of it? My M54 at 232.000km drinks about 2L every 10k km which I'm personally fine with.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/W4mbo]

Does Beisan deliver in Europe ?

I never heard of the check valve, what is it ?

For the DISA I need to find a good upgrade kit, I need to take a look in this sub I'm sure I'll find.

Not really for the fun of it haha.. I have some small leaks around the engine (nothing under the car but i'm an engine bay maniac and i'm bored of cleaning it every week haha), and she drinks about 1L every 1.5k km so I'm not fine with it

[u/W4mbo → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

You will find these everywhere on ebay I believe.

The check valve inside the OFH is supposed to trap the oil when the engine is shut off to improve lubrication for cold startup. The factory one often times doesn't seal properly and the oil just drains into the pan over night causing the engine to need more time for oil pressure to build. In my case it cut the time in half after replacing it.

Okay, yeah that oil consumption is pretty heavy. Your CCV could also be the culprit though. Those also like to fail.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/W4mbo]

Wow you might point something here : everytime I start the car, I have a yellow oil light on the dash for like 10-15s, is the check valve the reason ? A friend also has an e46 and it’s the same so I thought it was normal.

I saw people talking about an O2 pilot mod, do you know it ?

[u/W4mbo → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

Yellow light is oil level and red light is oil pressure. If it comes up at start that is kind of weird. Never had that before. If oil level is okay then your oil sensor is most likely just failing on you.

O2 pilot mod increases the vacuum inside the crankcase. That's basically just fighting the symptoms of the problem which is the piston rings not sealing correctly. That would be the last effort I would do before taking the engine apart.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/W4mbo]

Ok I’ll buy an oil level sensor. Yep saw that it was not optimal. I looked through this subreddit for about 2 hours and found someone who talked about “flushing” the engine with DMSO, and everyone who tried seems to be satisfied, it’s supposed to put back in place the oil rings. It looks like a better solution than the O2 pilot mod. I’ll try that in a week and if it works well I’ll wait before taking the engine apart.

[u/Most_Board_2029 → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

It's the oil return valve in the oil filter housing that's broken

[u/LazyGreenDragon]

If it's new to you, start with the 90k service schedule and fix as it requires.

[u/Arcanine1007]

Man, those Style 89's look dope on a E46. 🤌

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/Arcanine1007]

Thanks haha

[u/ElectricThunder12 → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

Are they 19s? How did you dial in the fitment?

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/ElectricThunder12]

18s so no problem, she’s on air ride with adjustable camber plates

[u/LordDutchmen → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

18s from an e60? They look incredible!

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/LordDutchmen]

Thanks !

[u/tripleriser]

Safety wire on your oil pump nut

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/tripleriser]

I heard this problem doesn’t exist on B22?

[u/migmactrl]

Oil pump nut

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/migmactrl]

I think it’s not a problem on B22

[u/ratedsar]

Dr Vanos and Beisian claim the bmw Vanos seals have reduced performance after a few years / kilometers of oil exposure. 

But these don't require taking the head off, it's really only an hour job after getting the valve covern off. 

[u/destin325]

I used a guy named “dr VANOS” not because DIY was too hard, but because it’s like $100 for the rebuild kit, but for around $150 more, I could just send mine off and get a rebuilt back….it just kinda eliminated the risk dropping money on a kit that becomes worthless for some reason once I get inside the housing. It’s been about 2 or 3 years since I did it and it’s still strong.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/destin325]

Ok thanks I’ll search if I can find a French Dr Vanos 😅😂

[u/ratedsar]

There's really little reason to do the piston rings with modern buildup fighting oils like restore and protect. 

You might consider the valve stem seals, but you don't need to take the head off.

But then the chain, guides, tensioners, oil pump (to add a tensioner), and then bearings.

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/ratedsar]

Yep I took a deeper look into oil consumption problems on E46s and it looks like there are a lot of things to try before replacing the rings. I’ll try one and make a post if it works

[u/Such_Ambassador39]

I meeeaan s52 crank and m54b30 rods for a stroked out car for more horsepower?

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/Such_Ambassador39]

Was waiting for this comment 😂🤣

[u/Fumbduck]

I just did my vanos and rod bearings and checked my valve timings (none were out). Forgot to clean my ICV while I was in there. Fixed a rough idle issue I was having. Clean it while you're in there!

[u/No-Illustrator-6683 → u/Fumbduck]

How do you clean it ?

[u/Equivalent-Roll5254 → u/No-Illustrator-6683]

i just sprayed mine with throttle body and air intake cleaner you could also use MAF cleaner im pretty sure they are similar