Z4M Engine Essentials - 1

[PLV]

Sorry, it's me again...

So amongst some of the other items that I became aware of and started tackling, was the notorious S54 bearings issue...

Seeing as I was already at around 149,000km when I became aware of the issue, I started shitting myself, and then started looking for someone to help!

On account of the posts on the forum, some advise from a few new friends, and the clear attention to detail in his pics, I opted to go to Peter...

A few pics of his work and the state of the bearings below...

I am relieved that I got it sorted! Thanks Peter!

Next few engine items will be the Vanos, clearances, etc.. but all in good time...

Just over 1,000km done of my 2,000km run in... and she's purring nicely!

Thanks again Peter!

:coolShake:

 

[VictorMike]

Sho! that engine is clean! Nicely done!

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Nice Pete, u safe now... no knock knock stories ... :=): But you need to create one thread with all your DIY's and Maintenance...

VM - Engine must be clean because of uncle Peter :=): i think he spends a day cleaning before he starts working :cthulhu:

 

[AdiS]

Looks like a good save on those bearings! Well done for adding to the ever small population of de-risked S54s

 

[PLV]

Hey guys, me again...

So this time my Oil Service was due, so I decided to try give this a go myself.

This would involve:
1. New air filter (BMW OEM)
2. New cabin air filter (BMW OEM)
3. New spark plugs (BMW OEM)
4. General check based on e85 oil service/inspection sheet

I didn't need to do the oil service, as the bearings and new oil filter and oil was just done recently...

Anyway, so here's a few simple steps for changing the air filter (probably the single easiest thing to do in a service).

I opted for a BMW OEM one. I am not a big fan of the K&N long life oil types, as I have tried them before and ended up seeing better performance on the stock paper filters. Also there's some myths about the oil messing up the sensors down wind...

I am not showing the steps for the airfilter cover removal, as even my wife could (probably) do it...

The old one wasn't too bad - and at least it meant that a new one was put in at BMW's last service...

Not too dirty in here, but vacuumed and wiped it clean to make sure afterwards...

And the new one in place... looking good!

:coolShake:

Then I moved on to the spark plugs...

It's pretty easy stuff it seems...

1. You need a 10mm socket, for the cover
2. You need a 16mm spark plug tool thingy. This is where I hit a snag once I opened up and saw how damn deep the spark plugs were! My tool just wasn't long enough for the job at hand! Trust me - this is a first for me... :rollsmile:

So, I ended up closing it all up again, and I will attempt tomorrow once I have seen to my tool!:rollsmile:

It's easy enough to remove the 6 nuts with the 10mm socket wrench...

You will also need to remove the tube and the oil cover, before the whole cover can be removed... gently squeeze and lift the tube.

Once the cover is removed and safely stored, you can see the coils covering the spark plugs.

It's quite easy to lift the coils, gently pry off the plug, and then lift out the coil, after which if you have vertigo, don't look down the hole!

My tool just wasn't long enough for the job! So I put everything back (and she starts as good as always)... and I will continue tomorrow...

:hammerhead:

 

[ZaynM]

Hey there!

You seem unaware as to how your tool works. You need to rub it and it will extend, sometimes you will be surprised as to how far deep it will go! :tiptoe:



But, jokes aside, good on you for using original parts and documenting your work.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Gizmo]

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

 

[AdiS]

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

It's a very nifty trick, I suspect he picked it up from you

 

[Peter@AEW]

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

It's a very nifty trick, I suspect he picked it up from you

Or not

 

[AdiS]

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

It's a very nifty trick, I suspect he picked it up from you

Or not

From you then?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peter@AEW]

Pete plugs need to be torqued to 22Nm without any lubrication on the threads.
Please do not put them in without a torque wrench.

 

[PLV]

Hey there!

You seem unaware as to how your tool works. You need to rub it and it will extend, sometimes you will be surprised as to how far deep it will go! :tiptoe:



But, jokes aside, good on you for using original parts and documenting your work.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Zayn... :crazylaugh: ... the problem is the wife wasn't around at the time to help...

OEM as far as possible/all the way! I owe a lot of thanks to the great people on the forum who provide solid advice from their personal experiences. Everyone is always so willing to help, which is great!

---

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

I've seen it on a number of posts, and my dad used to do it WAAAAYYYY back in the day (he was fastidious to a fault!). Definitely noticed it on your M Coupe recently too,... :coolShake:

:ty:

Yes, I would like to attempt the brake fluid flush... but need to read up a bit more on that before I try it... or take up LH on their special... but first prize will be me doing it... and learning more!

---

Pete plugs need to be torqued to 22Nm without any lubrication on the threads.
Please do not put them in without a torque wrench.

Thanks Peter. I noticed that on the spark plug box, and also read up on that!

:coolShake::ty:

 

[NavZ]

What a crazy coincidence… I just did my Z4M's sparks & air filter today as well. I also mark filters, so many stories about stealers never changing it despite charging you.

I plan on doing VANOS & bearings etc too but I'm in CT.
Peter, you should come down for a workation

---

PS. There's a hole in the top left corner of the air box.
Apparently for draining the box should any water enter somehow…
That being said, some guys suggest closing it up to make the ram air effect work properly/better…
Use it, don't use it, just throwing it out there :tiptoe:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Nicely done Pete... :clapper:

 

[PLV]

What a crazy coincidence… I just did my Z4M's sparks & air filter today as well. I also mark filters, so many stories about stealers never changing it despite charging you.

I plan on doing VANOS & bearings etc too but I'm in CT.
Peter, you should come down for a workation

---

PS. There's a hole in the top left corner of the air box.
Apparently for draining the box should any water enter somehow…
That being said, some guys suggest closing it up to make the ram air effect work properly/better…
Use it, don't use it, just throwing it out there :tiptoe:

---

Hey there!

Yes, I noticed the little hole. Think I will leave it as is for now... did you close it up?

I would love to take the Z down to the Cape sometime. We have family in Paarl, so definitely want to do that at some stage! Maybe can come by and visit and check how your Z is coming along when we do!

Good luck with the Vanos and bearings! I think that's just a tad out of my league to try mess around with that! So I will leave that to the pro's!

:coolShake:

---

Nicely done Pete... :clapper:

Thanks Clint. Thanks again for all your guidance and help too! Much appreciated man!:coolShake:

---

So the fun continued later last night, after I managed to borrow some appropriate tools! (Many thanks to Spiro for dropping them off! I owe you bud!!)...

This gives an idea of depth, the coil is fairly long...

The plug is way down in there...

Plug 1 (old and new)...

Plug 2...

Plug 3...

Plug 4...

Plug 5...

Plug 6...

What you guys think? Plugs don't seem too bad?

I still have to go look through my records to see when they were replaced by BMW (in which of the services)...

After closing everything back up again and starting her up, she purred beautifully! Very satisfying to say the least!

Thanks again to Clinton and TTT (Thiren) for the guidance and assistance!

I'll definitely never take her to a dealer for this stuff again...

:ty: :ty:

 

[PLV]

Forgot to add the inside cabin air filter pics...

Also a far simpler job than I had previously been lead to believe! ("It's behind the cubbyhole, it's a pain to get to..." blah, blah, sh*t...)

It's located above the passenger foot-well, behind the cubbyhole. There's just the two normal phillips head screws to loosen, and then you can pull down the cover, being careful with the light.

Once you have removed the cover (to clean it and for easier access), you will see the filter housing. The filter door is just gently pulled down and away to remove it.

With the door removed, you can then pull out the filter.... be prepared to vacuum this area a bit if you have some leaves and other stuff fall out!

Putting the new filter in is an easy process, just focusing on placing the filter back in with the correct side facing the front of the vehicle.

Then reverse the rest of the process to place everything back!

Ah, great aircon strength again... :coolShake:

 

[Gizmo]

Glad to see Im not the only one to mark their filters.

So brake fluid flush is due...:tiptoe:

Nice work btw.

It's a very nifty trick, I suspect he picked it up from you

Its an old school thing, my dad taught me to do it.

 

[PLV]

Quick window washer pump fix...

This engine bay needs a good clean - putting it on the to-do list...

Old pump...

New pump... (from eBay at 1/8th the cost of BMW) and sorted... all good again...

 

[osiris]

Nice thread, loving the progress, need some updates though.

How does the car feel after the new plugs?

 

[PLV]

Shot Nick!

Yeah - need to find some time between work, travel, family to do some more things... will definitely be doing some more soon!

The new plugs definitely seemed to improve the overall engine dynamics in terms of idling and responsiveness. Even if it is most likely just in my head.