▀▄ eas | S65 Rod Bearing Replacement: An ongoing "Journal"

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by W///

My 72k mile report just came back, and it looks better than this, with x4 the mileage. Copper = 2, Lead = 8

It'd be very interesting to see what the bearings look like.

You should feel fortunate!

I have less miles than you and my levels are about 4 times that!

[W///]

Originally Posted by M3PO

You should feel fortunate!

I have less miles than you and my levels are about 4 times that!

Yea I saw your last report. What's your plan of action?

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by W///

Yea I saw your last report. What's your plan of action?

I've got another oil change coming up in about 1K miles (a month). If the trend continues, or gets worse, I will most likely do a bearing replacement. I don't plan to keep the car forever so a 50-60K mile band-aid is sufficient for me.

I will say however that I still don't like the idea of just slapping in new bearings all willy-nilly. As BMRLVR has said many times, it's possible to make the clearances tighter.

[4corners]

Blackstone test kit ready for the next oil change. I have no indication there is anything wrong with the engine. But we'll see what the test shows.

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Going to inspect bearings on a low-mileage 2011 M3 this week (shop M3 @ ~18K). Hopefully, findings will be much more favorable than the last inspection.

Here's a copy of the last Blackstone report:



Torco Accelerator (octane booster) has been used in the past, which may explain the "additive" in the report notes.

So how do the bearings look?

[rantarM3]

No update from EAS?

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by rantarM3

No update from EAS?

Maybe the bearings where so bad... That BMW made them sign a non disclosure agreement

[italyix]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

Maybe the bearings where so bad... That BMW made them sign a non disclosure agreement

That would make sense IF BWM actually paid for the repairs. In this case, it seems the OP paid out of pocket and EAS posted the results.

.02

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by italyix

That would make sense IF BWM actually paid for the repairs. In this case, it seems the OP paid out of pocket and EAS posted the results.

.02

We know about the OP's repairs...

We are waiting for the pictures of rod bearings from EAS's own shop car that they said they would post several weeks ago

[tom @ eas]

Bearings from our 2011 M3 this week (shop M3 @ ~18K). Here's a copy of the last Blackstone report:



reference:





Image added to post #1 for reference. Note green markings on the 702/703 bearings.

Bearings were replaced with VAC coated rod bearings/APR bolts and oil switched to Torco 10W40 SR-1R Synthetic Racing Oil, as this M3 will see regular track use with the supercharger.

After some miles, we'll have oil changed and analysis performed on next oil change.

[W///]

^That does not look good at all, but the numbers aren't THAT bad (especially the lead). Yikes.

I guess lesson here is really keep track of the copper levels?

[PandaM3]

at 18,000 miles should rod bearings typically look worn like that?

Looking forward to the oil analysis after the next oil change... might be considering the VAC coated bearings in the next 25,000 miles as preventative...

Now that BMW came out with their new LL01 oil recommendations and after calling Motul... I might be using their 300V 5w40 or 10w40 since theoretically it will offer improved rod bearing protection for now although the excess 8100 5w40 is what is oe approved now

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

at 18,000 miles should rod bearings typically look worn like that?

Not many M3s have really performed inspections until something catastrophic has happened, especially at 18K.

We're simply trying to marry as many reports to bearings as possible for others to make their decisions upon.

[speedaddictM3]

Is it easy to replace, or at least remove and inspect the bearings as a DIY in my driveway? I'm gonna start doing oil analysis now, but I wouldn't mind being able to take a look at the damn things and see if they're still in one piece.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by speedaddictM3

Is it easy to replace, or at least remove and inspect the bearings as a DIY in my driveway? I'm gonna start doing oil analysis now, but I wouldn't mind being able to take a look at the damn things and see if they're still in one piece.

No.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by W///

^That does not look good at all, but the numbers aren't THAT bad (especially the lead). Yikes.

I guess lesson here is really keep track of the copper levels?

The issue here is that this car has the updated bearings that supposedly do not contain any lead. So how do the newer car judge bearing wear until they are into the intermediary layer that contains copper? Is the lead in the report above from another source?

This sort of calls into question the only metric we have for judging bearing wear IMO. So I am kind of confused after seeing this.

I will also agree that that looks like a lot of wear for 18K miles. Multiply that by four (roughly when we are guessing we need to be replacing bearings) and it seems like these will be done.

[EarthboundMisfit]

Originally Posted by 4corners

Blackstone test kit ready for the next oil change. I have no indication there is anything wrong with the engine. But we'll see what the test shows.

What were the results?

[4corners]

Originally Posted by EarthboundMisfit

What were the results?

Got the report today. All good at 88000 and going strong.

Whew!!!

[M3PO]

I should have my third set of results in a few days.

[L4ces]

Have you guys had any issues with the postal service? How do you package and ship?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by L4ces

Have you guys had any issues with the postal service? How do you package and ship?

I just put the black container in a priority mail envelope.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by L4ces

Have you guys had any issues with the postal service? How do you package and ship?

No issues. There is a bottle you capture the sample in, so I close that tightly. Then it goes into a small zip lock bag, and then that all goes into the black larger bottle. I use clear packing tape to wrap around the cap on the black bottle. Then I use the automated postage machine to generate the stamp needed. There is no rule against shipping used motor oil in this quantity through the USPS, but some attendants are clueless.