[PHOTOS ADDED] Main bearings failure - seized engine, 30 000 miles

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Can I come?

WTF have I gotten myself into... 31,000KM on my 2011 (27,400 was PO) and every time I have a little fun I think "will this be the last time?"

These are the days I wish the internet did not exist! Ignorance is bliss...

Yeah we will have to have a main bearing party

[pbonsalb]

We need a main bearing DIY. I'd like to do mine when I do my clutch.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by doogee

Yeah we will have to have a main bearing party

I'll make invitational cards and bring popcorn

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

We need a main bearing DIY. I'd like to do mine when I do my clutch.

SYT_Shadow
Paging Shadow, paging shadow. Mains DIY.

[pbonsalb]

I think he is going to do a subframe and diff bushings DIY next.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by gordon@

I'll make invitational cards and bring popcorn



SYT_Shadow
Paging Shadow, paging shadow. Mains DIY.

LOL I'll do one if pbonsalb assists :P

Gotta do the subframe one plus the cams!

[burnrbr]

I've thinking about having my crank polished to increase the main bearing clearances. If I do that, I might as well do it for the rods bearing clearances too and just use oem sized rod bearings. I still have a lot of research to do and to make the time for such an adventurous project.

[rcracin]

lol all this talk of main bearings. might as well rebuild the motor if it's over 60k miles at this point.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

We need a main bearing DIY. I'd like to do mine when I do my clutch.

No one is going to be making a main bearing DIY.

You realize the engine has to be removed right?

[tdott]

Originally Posted by gordon@

Paging Shadow, paging shadow. Mains DIY.

If you have to ask for a main bearing DIY, then you probably shouldn't be attempting such a job.

[spazzyfry123]

So instead of setting aside the money to replace rod bearings as "preventative maintenance", it sounds like I should drive the balls off the thing and have that money set aside to just go ahead and build a stroker if anything lets loose. No sense in repairing just the rod bearings, because the main bearings will drop. No sense in repairing both of those sets of bearings, because the pistons will vaporize. No sense in changing the clutch because your left blinker will go out............

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by doogee

No one is going to be making a main bearing DIY.

You realize the engine has to be removed right?

I think soneone will make a main bearing DIY and I don't I don't think the engine has to be removed. I think the trans and front cover can be removed, the rod caps removed, and the bedplate or bottom of block removed. I think this will be an advanced DIY but I would be comfortable doing the job. Apparently, there is a sealant used between the upper block and bedplate. If I learn it is much easier to pull the engine than to do the job in the car, I'll pull then engine -- actually I would be more inclined to drop it out the bottom

[doogee]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I don't think the engine has to be removed. I think the trans and front cover can be removed, the rod caps removed, and the bedplate or bottom of block removed.

This is a horrible idea.

How are you planning on holding the crank in or removing it?

What "front cover"?

And what do you mean remove the "bottom of the block"?

None of this makes any sense.


The engine must be removed.

[pbonsalb]

This is what is needed to gain access:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...16&postcount=8

It seems to me like the job could be done with the engine in the car, and that if you had the trans off anyway to replace the clutch, and the pan off anyway to change the rod bearings, going further might be reasonable.

Hopefully Deansbimmer, who has done the job, can comment on whether it is possible to do the job with the engine in the car, or whether, even if it can, he recommends pulling it because doing so will make the job easier.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

This is what is needed to gain access:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...16&postcount=8

It seems to me like the job could be done with the engine in the car, and that if you had the trans off anyway to replace the clutch, and the pan off anyway to change the rod bearings, going further might be reasonable.

Hopefully Deansbimmer, who has done the job, can comment on whether it is possible to do the job with the engine in the car, or whether, even if it can, he recommends pulling it because doing so will make the job easier.

I see what he has done now.

I'd personally prefer pulling the motor.

[pbonsalb]

What he did makes sense to me, but it may be that he had already pulled the rod bearings and found the issue was the main bearings and decided it made more sense to continue with the engine in the car than to pull it out at that point. It may be that he recommends pulling the motor if the plan from the start is main bearings. To me, it is DIY-able either way. I'll follow his recommendation since he has done it both ways.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

What he did makes sense to me, but it may be that he had already pulled the rod bearings and found the issue was the main bearings and decided it made more sense to continue with the engine in the car than to pull it out at that point. It may be that he recommends pulling the motor if the plan from the start is main bearings. To me, it is DIY-able either way. I'll follow his recommendation since he has done it both ways.

Anything is "DIYable" if you're very competent.

But I'm sure 95% of forum users on here would not be able to handle this job, nor would they have the proper tools.

[pbonsalb]

I agree that rod bearings or main bearings or cams are not DIYs for the average person, but that does not mean that there should not be a DIY for those of us who would do the job. Sure, I could figure it all out on my own, but knowing the details before I do it makes it easier and saves time. Hopefully someone will make one before I get to the job. If not, maybe I will or I'll team up with another DIYer to do the job and make one.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I agree that rod bearings or main bearings or cams are not DIYs for the average person, but that does not mean that there should not be a DIY for those of us who would do the job. Sure, I could figure it all out on my own, but knowing the details before I do it makes it easier and saves time. Hopefully someone will make one before I get to the job. If not, maybe I will or I'll team up with another DIYer to do the job and make one.

You have a permanent offer from me for help building strange DIY's

[deansbimmer]

I do main bearings with the engine out. I've never wanted to try doing in engine-in. I made that post to illustrate the work involved at a minimum.

Engine-in: Imagine trying to lift up a 70# bedplate/crank combo into the upper block and holding it while you secure it. It's just not happening if you're interested in any degree of precision. Best to do it inverted on an engine stand.

[pbonsalb]

Ok. That makes sense. It seemed possible to me, but I was wrong.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by tdott

If you have to ask for a main bearing DIY, then you probably shouldn't be attempting such a job.

agreed...

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Ok. That makes sense. It seemed possible to me, but I was wrong.

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Ok. That makes sense. It seemed possible to me, but I was wrong.

. If it could've been done it would've been great to have, who knows one day I might be doing the job even though today I cannot.

Having a DIY even if you pull the engine could be quite helpful for this or other similar projects.