E46 engine internal wear. Burns oil like crazy. |
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Spooky that. I've been using the same oil since new in the car, regular services and FBMWSH. Mine was the same about a ltr every 1200 miles. I queried it with the supplying dealer in 2002 and they checked the car over and then said it was fine and in normal tolerance (which BMW claim is 1 ltr in 750 miles). Then like you suddenly 1 ltr every 600ish miles down to 1 ltr every 400miles. BMW had the manifold off to do the breather valve and it was clean. They didn't test compression (as it was expensive job for them to do it and I don't know a good indie garage in Leeds and they reckoned with the car's history that shouldn't be the problem). Originally wondered if an oil control ring had shed or failed. I also wondered if the oil was getting too hot or if there is some way the engine could "suck up oil" when you lift the throttle - though as I said the manifold is clear (I'm told) and the breather valve replaced by BMW. I think it's defo the same thing though as the symptoms are spookily so the same and it seems peculiar to the M54 2.2's I-11
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Thanks for that - it's a good point. So if it has a problem with oil rings, is it worth getting the engine in bits to try fix? Or is it worth just putting a "cheaper" synth or semi synth in and running? I'm going to change the oil as I'm not happy with the High Mileage stuff in there. A thought but if the thick oil is not good around the valves, could the valve stem seals be the mode of entry of the oil into the cylinder? Sorry if that's a stupid question and thanks to everyone contributing. Nice to know you're all out there! I-11
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Last one for now..
It's not just the 3 series M54's that have the problem. Check out.. http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=23760 Also they sign to a thread on here where someone ended up finding it was valve seals - which rings a bit true with some of my symptoms - but make your mind up... http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=404447&pag e=5
I-11 |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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There's a half decent Indie near York, which isn't too far from leeds. http://www.atlasautoservices.co.uk/ I had an E39 530 with an M54 engine and that used a litre of oil every 1500-2000 miles.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Ta very much for the recommendation! |
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autofix
Really Senior Member I Joined: 23-August-2003 Location: Kildare Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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But ring/bore problems give different symptoms to stem seals. As far as I am aware the lads in the workshop in Quarry are well clued in. Any good mechanic should be able to diagnose stem seals. |
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Kane Automotive
Mercedes, BMW and VAG Diagnostic Specialist |
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Barry_Mc
Senior Member I Joined: 27-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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interesting links I-11, if i had the consumption levels of the lads in the first post xmas would have come early!!! the DIY guide in the second post is spot on, but i don't think i'll try it...lol, def one to be left to the experts i think...seems to be the fix, if the seal colours are correct then there is obv a flaw and it would be interesting to know which engine has the green or red seals? i might change my oil to be honest, reading the 2nd post 5w-30 isn't up to the running temp of the m54, which 0w-30 and 5w-40 are, so i think as i'm due a service i might chance 5w-40, not 100% but i think majority of members use 5w-40, worth a try at least...might be a cheap fix, if i get back to 1000-1200 / ltr i'll be happy enough although my gut is telling me the damage has been done... |
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Barry_Mc
Senior Member I Joined: 27-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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latest...checked the oil level last night, on the min mark, so i topped up today, 1 ltr, (which is exactly min to max) perfect, i'll admit i didn't check the level after topping up) basically had a bit of a hickup at some stage, reckon i was in too high a gear, accelerated, car choked for sec and ran on as usual, only time it missed a beat all day or any day for that, checked the oil level tonight, back to min....(i didn't buy invisible oil...hehehe, has me worried at this stage. no oil leaks by the way. i rang an ex bmw mech to get a quote for valve seal replacement, he suggested relief valve (don't quote me there) that there is a good chance its clogged, different driving style to the previous owner would be the cause, mainly slower driving, i'd put it down to speed bumps if thats the case...(other than me...lmao), he has gone straight for that everytime and has sorted plenty of bm's with similar symtoms. anyway, i'm trying to figure out.... 1. what happened my oil? 2. how does the relief valve work? 3. as far as i know the valve is attached to the oil pump, where is that located? 4. and finally does the manifold have to come off to gain access? thanks in advance, barry found this.. http://www.autohausaz.com/bmw-auto-parts/bmw-oil-pressure.ht ml good info, doesn't answer my q's...might be of interest. Edited by Barry_Mc |
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Hi Barry
If he means the valve that lets pressure out of the crank case back into the manifold (so called scavenger valve) then I've had that done. BMW decided that that was the most likely cause of mine (apparently it gets clogged inside and the oil isn't trapped out but ends up on the inlet manifold being burned). It apparently is like a tiny cyclone valve (think dyson) that traps any oil in the gas flowing from the bottom to the top of the engine. I think you can see it under the inlet manifold! They had to take the inlet manifold off to get at it and for my car it didn't make any difference! I was wondering if the valve guide seals can be replaced without taking the head to bits and what it might cost.... Hmmm Russ |
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MBW1
Senior Member I Joined: 12-June-2008 Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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The problem is almost certainly the breather pipes to an from the valve.
They turn to chewing gum and block up inside and dramatically increase oil consumption. Replace these and it'll probably be okay. 2.2 M54's are well known for using oil anyway. |
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I don't have a carbon footprint. I drive everywhere.
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Barry_Mc
Senior Member I Joined: 27-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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thanks for that, Russ, i'd say your right, must be the scavenger valve he was talking about...i don't think you have to touch the heads to replace the valve seals. i tried to get a price for that job but i'd say if they can find a simpler solution with less effort they will, which makes sense i suppose. out of interest how much were you charged for the scavenger valve job, i was told 7hrs, (55e / hr) and i think the part is around 76e - 460e approx. (he didn't say 460, just 7hr job etc etc... MBW1 - breather pipes, must have a look into that, only starting to get an idea of the inner workings. |
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Individual_11
Newbie Joined: 21-April-2008 Location: Leeds West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Hi Barry
Not entirely sure off the top of my head so will have to go digging but I'm sure it was less that £200 - I seem to remember £110 and the part being about £40. Will have to see what I can find in my bills! The dealer I went to also discounts if your car is over 5 years old - but you have to ask! Russ |
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