2008 M3 Rod Bearing Replacement

tom @ eas · 03-25-2014, 01:13 PM

In the middle of a rod bearing replacement on a supercharged-prep M3 and noticed something odd on #3 rod bearing (upper):

Info
Vehicle: 2008 BMW M3, DCT
Production Date: 07/08
Oil Used: TWS Motorsport 10W-60, no data provided on previous oil change
Mileage: ~30,XXX mi
Fuel: 93 Oct (originally in FL)
Driving Habits: Mostly highway/street driving, no track use

This is plastic wrapping that was left on the bearing during engine assembly, which was enough to provide pressure on the bearing, causing excessive wear on the upper bearing cap as evidenced below.

****

All bearings were pulled, upper shells on top and lower on bottom. No other foreign material or surprises was discovered during the service:

Bearings were replaced with WPC treated 702/703 bearings and ARP rod bolts. Oil sample has been collected and sent to Blackstone, waiting to see results on their end.

s85e90 · 03-25-2014, 01:19 PM

Wow! That's really something else; this pic should be sent to BMW NA.

That guy was either asleep or this car was built on Friday! lol

kaleb · 03-25-2014, 02:25 PM

WOW.

regular guy · 03-25-2014, 02:36 PM

Is it possible to get a micrometer on the plastic to see how thick it is?

Or hold on to it, and I'll see if I can measure it next time I come to your area.

BTW, that would make a great store front display piece!

M3PO · 03-25-2014, 03:41 PM

That's amazing!

tom @ eas · 03-25-2014, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regular guy

Is it possible to get a micrometer on the plastic to see how thick it is?

Or hold on to it, and I'll see if I can measure it next time I come to your area.

BTW, that would make a great store front display piece!

Would be hard to tell since it's not perfectly flat. Giving a guesstimate, figure about 7mil thickness. I can hold onto the bearings for when for you to check out next time in town.

Crank journal seems to be ok, no other surprises so far.

s85e90 · 03-25-2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Would be hard to tell since it's not perfectly flat. Giving a guesstimate, figure about 7mil thickness. I can hold onto the bearings for when for you to check out next time in town.

Crank journal seems to be ok, no other surprises so far.

7MM

that's nutz?

DLSJ5 · 03-25-2014, 04:19 PM

Wow, thanks for posting Tom.

tom @ eas · 03-25-2014, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

7MM

that's nutz?

This is in reference to the plastic, "mil" is a term thickness.

Here's a good article that explains this: http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-en...o-i-measure-it

s85e90 · 03-25-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

This is in reference to the plastic, "mil" is a term thickness.

Here's a good article that explains this: http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-en...o-i-measure-it

interesting; hence my

face as What I originally thought would not let the car run at all I imagine lol

biglare · 03-25-2014, 04:50 PM

Whaaaat? This is crazy! In for more updates and findings!

///Matthew · 03-25-2014, 04:55 PM

What condition were the other bearings in?

mPlasticDesign · 03-25-2014, 05:32 PM

Makes me want to disassemble my engine.

W/// · 03-25-2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

interesting; hence my

face as What I originally thought would not let the car run at all I imagine lol

Learn something new everyday. Where I work, mil is for people that are too lazy to say millimeter.

AlteredBe4st · 03-25-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Matthew

What condition were the other bearings in?

Would love to know same question.

aus · 03-25-2014, 06:12 PM

Thanks. Was it easily noticed? Obviously we're all wondering if this would explain why some people have worn bearings and others are fine.

tom @ eas · 03-25-2014, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenzm3edan

Would love to know same question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Matthew

What condition were the other bearings in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Thanks. Was it easily noticed? Obviously we're all wondering if this would explain why some people have worn bearings and others are fine.

This was pretty obvious once the bearing was pulled out. There is another shell with some spotting, I'll get everything pulled together as soon as we're completed on our end.

Someone? · 03-25-2014, 07:14 PM

WOW! thats insane that the plastic would be left on the bearings, I would DEFINITELY contact BMW about that BS.

But i do LOVE the fact that EAS uses WPC bearing over the coated ones, IMO they are the ONLY chose., and i dont care or want to hear about how many people used the coated bearings, it means NOTHING, the WPC bearings are better hands down.

tightie · 03-25-2014, 07:27 PM

wow

ThatGuyMikee · 03-25-2014, 07:35 PM

This is perfectly normal, i have done bearing jobs many times on bmw and each one had the plastic on and left on when reinstalling, helps with cooling the bearing and keepin oil onto the bearing, i am also lieing about everything i just said lmaoo

But wow i cant believe that seriously

flipm3 · 03-25-2014, 08:21 PM

Holy crap...well that's something new...

///mawana · 03-25-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatGuyMikee

This is perfectly normal, i have done bearing jobs many times on bmw and each one had the plastic on and left on when reinstalling, helps with cooling the bearing and keepin oil onto the bearing, i am also lieing about everything i just said lmaoo

But wow i cant believe that seriously

03-25-2014, 01:13 PM	#1
tom @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 8115 Rep 18,814 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (19) Garage List 2018 BMW i3s [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 [6.50] 2015 BMW M4 [5.25]	2008 M3 Rod Bearing Replacement - Plastic Wrap? In the middle of a rod bearing replacement on a supercharged-prep M3 and noticed something odd on #3 rod bearing (upper): Info Vehicle: 2008 BMW M3, DCT Production Date: 07/08 Oil Used: TWS Motorsport 10W-60, no data provided on previous oil change Mileage: ~30,XXX mi Fuel: 93 Oct (originally in FL) Driving Habits: Mostly highway/street driving, no track use This is plastic wrapping that was left on the bearing during engine assembly, which was enough to provide pressure on the bearing, causing excessive wear on the upper bearing cap as evidenced below. ** All bearings were pulled, upper shells on top and lower on bottom. No other foreign material or surprises was discovered during the service: Bearings were replaced with WPC treated 702/703 bearings and ARP rod bolts. Oil sample has been collected and sent to Blackstone, waiting to see results on their end. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM** Last edited by tom @ eas; 03-26-2014 at 01:31 PM.. Reason: octane update
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03-25-2014, 01:19 PM	#2
s85e90 Brigadier General 192 Rep 3,633 Posts Drives: black e90 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: everywhere iTrader: (2)	Wow! That's really something else; this pic should be sent to BMW NA. That guy was either asleep or this car was built on Friday! lol
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03-25-2014, 02:25 PM	#3
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03-25-2014, 02:36 PM	#4
regular guy Lieutenant Colonel 427 Rep 1,947 Posts Drives: Sprint car Join Date: May 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Is it possible to get a micrometer on the plastic to see how thick it is? Or hold on to it, and I'll see if I can measure it next time I come to your area. BTW, that would make a great store front display piece!
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03-25-2014, 03:41 PM	#5
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	That's amazing! __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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03-25-2014, 04:19 PM	#8
DLSJ5 Brigadier General 501 Rep 4,033 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Wow, thanks for posting Tom. __________________ 16 F82 M4 DCT - ZCP - JB4 - 556WHP / 570WTQ 08 E92 M3 DCT - Bolt Ons - 60-130MPH 10.71s - 11.88 @ 118MPH - 377WHP ESS VT2-625 SC 60-130MPH 6.80s - 11.30 @ 129.3 MPH 586WHP / 379WTQ ESS VT3-750 - 60-130MPH 6.14s - 10.81 @ 135.13 MPH 690WHP/463WTQ Shift-S3ctor E92 M3 - 1/2 Mile Trap Speed WR - 174.13 MPH
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03-25-2014, 04:50 PM	#11
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03-25-2014, 04:55 PM	#12
///Matthew Major 196 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: 2013 M3, 1999 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (3)	What condition were the other bearings in? __________________ 2013 Santorini Blue M3 1999 Estoril Blue M3 mfatuation.com
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03-25-2014, 05:32 PM	#13
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	Makes me want to disassemble my engine. __________________
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03-25-2014, 06:12 PM	#16
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Thanks. Was it easily noticed? Obviously we're all wondering if this would explain why some people have worn bearings and others are fine.
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03-25-2014, 07:14 PM	#18
Someone? Perception is King 131 Rep 1,703 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8)	WOW! thats insane that the plastic would be left on the bearings, I would DEFINITELY contact BMW about that BS. But i do LOVE the fact that EAS uses WPC bearing over the coated ones, IMO they are the ONLY chose., and i dont care or want to hear about how many people used the coated bearings, it means NOTHING, the WPC bearings are better hands down. __________________ Perception and Reality are Two totally different Things.
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03-25-2014, 07:35 PM	#20
ThatGuyMikee Captain 37 Rep 834 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 e90 6spd Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Staten island iTrader: (2)	This is perfectly normal, i have done bearing jobs many times on bmw and each one had the plastic on and left on when reinstalling, helps with cooling the bearing and keepin oil onto the bearing, i am also lieing about everything i just said lmaoo But wow i cant believe that seriously
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03-25-2014, 08:21 PM	#21
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