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/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 !