320i E90 valve stem seal replacement

[Witblits]

Hi

My 2006 320i E90 has been given the grim diagnosis that its valve stem seals (and what ever else they find is wrong when taking the top off) needs to be replaced ... and this with only 109,000km on the clock! I've gotten the best quotes from 3 Service Centre and Zeemax. I would like to hear what people's experiences have been with these 2 workshops... any recommendations or warnings and why.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bmw69]

I wouldn't recommend Zeemax.
Quality of work is unacceptable.
They also do not look after your car at all.
They will take shortcuts getting things fixed.
For example i asked for a new exhaust bracket for my car, i expect at the least to get a aftermarket part if they can't get OEM but instead make a bracket that doesn't even hold the exhaust and charge me for it.
Thats just one simple example of the bad quality of work they do.
I can list a few issues i have had with them.
A friend from work sent his wifes mini to them for a simple water leak to get fixed and got the car back with the wrong parts replaced, and missing parts.

 

[Iceman007]

Oh No No No you do not have to remove the head. BMW does it without removing the head.

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I suggest contacting the dealer that I use. I have sent you a PM

 

[Witblits]

Oh No No No you do not have to remove the head. BMW does it without removing the head.

---

I suggest contacting the dealer that I use. I have sent you a PM

---

Got it, thanks. Gave them a call and it works out MUCH cheaper than any of the prices the other guys gave me, because they don't have to remove the head. Strange though that Forsdicks BMW also told me they have to remove the head, so I just hope this "short cut" doesn't cause any other damage. I'll update this thread once I've had the job done.

For background, symptoms are that when idle at a traffic light and then pull away, there is a puff of white smoke. The longer the stand at a traffic light or in traffic, the bigger the puff of white smoke. Checks around the engine and at the oil separator show no signs of any oil leaks or oil sweat.

 

[Iceman007]

Oh No No No you do not have to remove the head. BMW does it without removing the head.

---

I suggest contacting the dealer that I use. I have sent you a PM

---

Got it, thanks. Gave them a call and it works out MUCH cheaper than any of the prices the other guys gave me, because they don't have to remove the head. Strange though that Forsdicks BMW also told me they have to remove the head, so I just hope this "short cut" doesn't cause any other damage. I'll update this thread once I've had the job done.

For background, symptoms are that when idle at a traffic light and then pull away, there is a puff of white smoke. The longer the stand at a traffic light or in traffic, the bigger the puff of white smoke. Checks around the engine and at the oil separator show no signs of any oil leaks or oil sweat.

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Definitely valve stem seals. Was Exact same problem on my sisters car. Now its gone. They are good guys. Just make a booking and organise beforehand for transport to drop you off.

Let us know when you have it done. And your findings. Also the 40km drive back at a constant 120km/h will help to get rid of some of the carbon in your exhaust system that has built up due to the oil smoke

 

[Witblits]

Right, so my car was done yesterday and I drove it for the first time again this morning, as they delivered it back straight to my house :bravo:

I must say, the service I got from the was awesome! Thanks Iceman007 for your help!

Now I can't feel much difference from just driving it and I didn't see any white smoke clouds in my rearview mirror, but I have to have someone else drive the car over the weekend so that I can drive behind them and see if there is still any smoke at all... just to confirm. Will post an update as soon as I have confirmed if the problem has been completely sorted.

 

[Iceman007]

No thanks to me but thank the guys in the workshop at Paarlberg BMW. They do try thier best every time and I always give them 5 out of 5 when i get the after service calls

:thumbs:

 

[Peter@AEW]

I for one would be interested to hear how long the valve stem seals last after they have been replaced and whether the car stops smoking.

From experience valve stem seals will last +200k if the stem is ok and the valve guide has not been damaged.
For the seal to leak oil it may well be indicative of a damaged valve guide and then the new seals become a temporary fix.

Please keep us updated.

 

[sclass]

So basically you're saying that worn stem seals are an early symptom of the need for a complete head job (stems,guides,seats etc)?

 

[Peter@AEW]

So basically you're saying that worn stem seals are an early symptom of the need for a complete head job (stems,guides,seats etc)?

Yes pretty much so.

Consider the following: the valve stem is smooth,the valve stem rotates as it gets depressed by the camshaft so the wear on the valve seal is consistent with a rotation as well as a depression.

For the seal to become damaged the stem must during its rotation and depression wobble and snag the seal lip,that in turn can be indicative of a worn guide or a worn stem which allows lateral movement.

 

[Iceman007]

So basically you're saying that worn stem seals are an early symptom of the need for a complete head job (stems,guides,seats etc)?

Yes pretty much so.

Consider the following: the valve stem is smooth,the valve stem rotates as it gets depressed by the camshaft so the wear on the valve seal is consistent with a rotation as well as a depression.

For the seal to become damaged the stem must during its rotation and depression wobble and snag the seal lip,that in turn can be indicative of a worn guide or a worn stem which allows lateral movement.

:nonono:

Ok so far every car they did was a success. Ok you all know the e46 and e90 4cylinder cars are known for there oil leaks and on the 6 cylinder Vanos. The reason for this is that the rubber they use react with the oil and become plastic. Also the long service intervals play a big role, so they do not seal as it should. To give you an idea on my sisters e46 that was in the family from 56 000km. firstly just before 100 00km it was Vacuum pump and seals. then after that it was tapet cover gascket and solenoid O-rings. Now on 200 000km it was Valve stem seals, sump gascket, Tapet cover Gascket and Vanos O-rings. Now it will be good for another 100 000km.

 

[KrS24]

I had the same problem about a month ago. Did a lot of research online, all pointed to valve stem seals. Took the car to S & N Auto Centurion (Sakie).
He told me the seals had nothing to do with the smoke. If it was the seals there would be continuous smoke not just on take off. He also mentioned he gets 320i's in almost everyday with same problem. Anyway R3000 later and the car is back to normal and just sold today. He did mention he replaces the head on the N46 engines fairly often which is why he has 3 in stock at his workshop.

Not exactly sure what he did but he had to remove the exhaust manifold.

 

[Iceman007]

:roflol::roflol:

I had the same problem about a month ago. Did a lot of research online, all pointed to valve stem seals. Took the car to S & N Auto Centurion (Sakie).
He told me the seals had nothing to do with the smoke. If it was the seals there would be continuous smoke not just on take off. He also mentioned he gets 320i's in almost everyday with same problem. Anyway R3000 later and the car is back to normal and just sold today. He did mention he replaces the head on the N46 engines fairly often which is why he has 3 in stock at his workshop.

Not exactly sure what he did but he had to remove the exhaust manifold.

:roflol::roflol::roflol:

DOES THIS MECHANIC KNOW WHERE THE VALVES SIT ON A BMW.

Sorry I just have to ask. Strange how so many happy customers at my current dealer have replaced the valve stem seal and all are happy and no more smoke including my sisters car. Also a bonus no more oil usage after seal replacement. Im no mechanic but ive been there while they replace and do jobs like this. Now your mechanic wants to make money with his spare heads he has in stock. Obviously he will solve the problem by replacing the head because the valve stem seals were replaced on the head. :fencelook:

just hope you dont get some one elses cracked replacement head in the process when the swap heads

Continues smoke while driving means your rings are klaar/moeg/gefok. Valve stem seals is when idle for a period/ on pull away/ changing gears. Ask any good mechanic

just my 2c

maybe we can ask Wit blitz how his car is doing

 

[Witblits]

Hey! Sorry for the long silence... been hectic. Just as an update... no more smoke from my car after taking it in for the valve stem seals... none, nada, nothing, zip!! :joy:

And yes, the guys at Paarlberg BMW are AWESOME!! The best customer service that I've received in a LONG time!

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Blue Shirt]

What was the cost to replace the valve stem seals in-situ in the head?

 

[Iceman007]

Hey! Sorry for the long silence... been hectic. Just as an update... no more smoke from my car after taking it in for the valve stem seals... none, nada, nothing, zip!! :joy:

And yes, the guys at Paarlberg BMW are AWESOME!! The best customer service that I've received in a LONG time!

Thanks everyone!!

Yip they got a small workshop compared to other dealers but they have excellent service and honest people that work there.(I don't even remove any of my stuff from the car any more when taking it in) Treat them with respect and they will treat you with the same respect. Very open and honest and they will always answer your questions. They are a small team so patience is also a key depending how busy they are.

:thumbs:

 

[Witblits]

What was the cost to replace the valve stem seals in-situ in the head?

It was around R6500, which is a lot better than the R15-25k quotes I got which involved taking off the head.

 

[Andrew]

Friend of mine had the same issue .... I didn't have time to tackle the job myself so sent him off to Autohaus Monti in East London .... R7,000 and the problem was solved. They also inspected the timing chain and guides and pronounced them to be in serviceable condition.

 

[Iceman007]

Friend of mine had the same issue .... I didn't have time to tackle the job myself so sent him off to Autohaus Monti in East London .... R7,000 and the problem was solved. They also inspected the timing chain and guides and pronounced them to be in serviceable condition.

R7000 ish :fencelook:

 

[vjx]

Can someone suggest the replacement in JHB? Really don't want to take the head off. Thanks in advance.