discussion 340000km m44! Time to replace?

[Smell my finger]

Hi guys. I have an e36 318is with an m44 in it. The engine has over 340000km on it and has been giving me problems on problems lately. This engine has seen some stuff even before I got my grubby little hands on it. I'm continuously discovering stripped bolts and white spots on black plastic. I think she's been overheated before and maybe even rebuilt. This would mean my rebuild is the 2nd in its life. At what km do people usually replace these motors and why. I just want it to be as reliable as it used to be😭

Should I bite the bullet and get a import or just scratch the itches on this 1?

 

[AshG108]

I would say scratch the itches and then smell your fingers.... lol

 

[tamgoem]

What are the issues. I mean if you expect someone to give a meaningful answer one should provide information.

 

[Smell my finger]

I would say scratch the itches and then smell your fingers.... lol

🤣Cheeky bastard😭

 

[Smell my finger]

What are the issues. I mean if you expect someone to give a meaningful answer one should provide information.

Fair. Rear main seal bad leak(replaced), timing chain tensioner weak(replaced), rings cylinder 3( replaced all + head gasket+big end bearings) 10k km later blue smoke, replaced valve stem seals smoke went away but lifters started ticking loud next jobs: lifters, timing chain and guides, fuel injectors, replace all the main vacuum hoses as they are eroded and helicoiling 6 stripped holes for the timing chain cover and valve cover. I've calculated and by the end of it, using quality parts, it's about R2000 off what an import motor is gonna cost

 

[Gordvisr]

Fair. Rear main seal bad leak(replaced), timing chain tensioner weak(replaced), rings cylinder 3( replaced all + head gasket+big end bearings) 10k km later blue smoke, replaced valve stem seals smoke went away but lifters started ticking loud next jobs: lifters, timing chain and guides, fuel injectors, replace all the main vacuum hoses as they are eroded and helicoiling 6 stripped holes for the timing chain cover and valve cover. I've calculated and by the end of it, using quality parts, it's about R2000 off what an import motor is gonna cost

A proper rebuilt, checking clearances and maybe resizing of some parts( pistons, rebore, resizing of connecting rods\new conrods ) i believe you can keep the original motor.

 

[tamgoem]

Fair. Rear main seal bad leak(replaced), timing chain tensioner weak(replaced), rings cylinder 3( replaced all + head gasket+big end bearings) 10k km later blue smoke, replaced valve stem seals smoke went away but lifters started ticking loud next jobs: lifters, timing chain and guides, fuel injectors, replace all the main vacuum hoses as they are eroded and helicoiling 6 stripped holes for the timing chain cover and valve cover. I've calculated and by the end of it, using quality parts, it's about R2000 off what an import motor is gonna cost

Import motor is a unknown, it can be good it can be bad, but remember once that import motor is in and it has issues like say a leaky rear main seal the cost benefit swings to rebuild.

Reading that it sounds like the motor is due a topend rebuild and probably the rotating assembly needs to be done (New pistons etc) it might just be cheaper to dump the car and get a 6cyl E36 or move to a E46 M52/54

 

[Smell my finger]

A proper rebuilt, checking clearances and maybe resizing of some parts( pistons, rebore, resizing of connecting rods\new conrods ) i believe you can keep the original motor.

I was thinking about that. maybe boring it out to 2lt and going full btcc spec with throttles and such. I dont know we'll see doing a full check tonight. Compression test, leakdown and look at the pistons with a borescope.

 

[Smell my finger]

Import motor is a unknown, it can be good it can be bad, but remember once that import motor is in and it has issues like say a leaky rear main seal the cost benefit swings to rebuild.

Reading that it sounds like the motor is due a topend rebuild and probably the rotating assembly needs to be done (New pistons etc) it might just be cheaper to dump the car and get a 6cyl E36 or move to a E46 M52/54

Nah this car is quite special to me too many memories. Maybe I start pulling it apart this weekend to see if there's anything horrible going on and maybe then it'll be clear what to do😢