Rod Bearings Replaced - Question

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

I've seen oil with more shavings than that come out of engines that seemed fine. Anecdotal of course, but aside from going back in there to explore, there's not much you can do.

Oh....or main bearings...

Is there a way to track main bearings AFTER rod bearings been replaced?

[deansbimmer]

Think about that. Oil analyses can help look for copper/lead in engines with those bearings but again, you can’t tell what specific part the metal is from in an oil report. The only way to inspect any bearing in any engine is by “exploratory surgery”.

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Think about that. Oil analyses can help look for copper/lead in engines with those bearings but again, you can’t tell what specific part the metal is from in an oil report. The only way to inspect any bearing in any engine is by “exploratory surgery”.

Ahh that makes sense, I was hoping that the mains would be some different material from the parts. Sorry I’m still learning about all of this. Not to threadjack, is there any way to check if the car has been supercharged prior to purchasing it?

[Scharbag]

Just waiting for my oil sample to pass through customs... Red tape is killing me.

Should know soon what the results are.

[Duk996]

Originally Posted by TheRussski

Ahh that makes sense, I was hoping that the mains would be some different material from the parts. Sorry I'm still learning about all of this. Not to threadjack, is there any way to check if the car has been supercharged prior to purchasing it?

When I was looking for a replacement engine I found one that had been previously supercharged but wasn't disclosed. Most superchargers out there are centrifugal types; they mount on the driver's side of the engine bank. You should look for valve cover oil leaks, missing bolts, or boogered bolts on that side. In my case the bolts were missing and it was grimy from a long time oil leak.

[NeverL8]

Originally Posted by Duk996

When I was looking for a replacement engine I found one that had been previously supercharged but wasn't disclosed. Most superchargers out there are centrifugal types; they mount on the driver's side of the engine bank. You should look for valve cover oil leaks, missing bolts, or boogered bolts on that side. In my case the bolts were missing and it was grimy from a long time oil leak.

Thank you. I will look for that!

[Scharbag]

Hurrah - it seems I did not sh!t the bed on my bearing install and that the flakes must have been from the valve covers. Bit of pucker... But thankfully no serious butt pain.

Oil analysis shows nothing abnormal (even though it is a very brief oil interval, if I effed up the install I would expect to have seen lead). Good thing I captured the oil in clean jug then strained it to look for metal - it can go back in at the next change

Perfect timing as it is warm and sunny here today and it is not snowing!!!

Now to solve the test pipe exhaust leak and put some miles on the beastie!!

Cheers,

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by nyc_dude

Here are some tips:

- Change your oil after 1000 miles after the bearing install. If it makes you feel better then sure, but I don't think this is required.
- Switch to Liquid Moly 10w60 GT1 sold in 5 Liter Containers (BMW/Castro is garbage) How is BMW/Castrol oil garbage?
- Stay under 3000 rpm (too late)
- Send off oil samples to Blackstone Labs before the rod bearings install, after 1000 miles, and monitor every other oil change (5000-7500 miles). Agreed.
- Be careful if you drive in sub-zero weather all winter, and maybe select a lighter oil. Agreed, I run M1 0w40 in the winter but only because my commute is relatively short and it warms up faster.
- If you had a 2008 S65 then that is the highest risk scenario. Based on what? Over the hundreds of pictures we've seen of rod bearings and dozens of engine failures, there appears to be 0 correlation with model year. If anything, 2011+ bearings are a higher risk due to the harder material used.

- Check your oil visually in the oil filter housing before each oil change. Look for metal flakes, specifically copper colored metal. Clean the housing during the oil change.
- Listen for rod knock that gets louder as you increase engine rpms, with the hood open or drive for 10 minutes with the windows down and radio off (especially on a very cold morning).
- Monitor Engine Temp creeping above 100C.
- Try to feel for unusual vibrations on the engine plenum with your hand.

- NOTE: Just because you changed your rod bearings doesn't mean the main bearings are safe long term. Sad but true .

See above.

[Scharbag]

So I took the M3 for an 850KM road trip yesterday. Some typical highway driving, nothing too spirited. Oil temp stayed just under 100 the whole time. Few passes needed to be made and the M3 handled those with great aplomb.

I managed to average ~12.3L/100KM for the trip. Best milage I have seen with the car. Not terrible for what it is.

Starting to be more confident that the bearings are installed correctly. Took it out for a more spirited rip today.

Those god damn valve covers and their flaking finish got into my head...

Cheers,

[Scharbag]

Finally starting to get past being psych'd out. Enjoying some more WOT and high RPM driving.

You would think after 1,000KM I would be over this shit but man it is hard not to react to every vibration like it is the end of the freaking world.

Realized how much I missed the V8 over the winter too. My 328 just does not have the same je ne cest quoi.

Next step, rip the Macht Scnell spacers off and throw them in the bin cause they cause wobble FFS...

Cheers,

[SYT_Shadow]

Very happy to see you're enjoying the car!

For reference, my X5 35i consumes pretty much exactly the same in highway trips than the M3 and is **way** less fun to drive.

On the E90 DCT I get around 21mpg in a long trip.

I drove a M4 GTS home Sunday night and it got 22.8mpg. If having a turbo engine is the price to pay to save 1.8mpg then it's just not worth it. I'll take the wonderful S65 any day of the week

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Very happy to see you're enjoying the car!

For reference, my X5 35i consumes pretty much exactly the same in highway trips than the M3 and is **way** less fun to drive.

On the E90 DCT I get around 21mpg in a long trip.

I drove a M4 GTS home Sunday night and it got 22.8mpg. If having a turbo engine is the price to pay to save 1.8mpg then it's just not worth it. I'll take the wonderful S65 any day of the week

Thats not bad! Did a 250 miles trip during the weekend at around 17mpg. Mostly high way at moderate speed but a few miles back roads, which probably is what nailed it... she is a thursty beast though...

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Thats not bad! Did a 250 miles trip during the weekend at around 17mpg. Mostly high way at moderate speed but a few miles back roads, which probably is what nailed it... she is a thursty beast though...

I did some double-car trips with my E46M vs E92M and 330Ci vs E46M, pretty interesting results

The S65 can get 15 mpg as far as I'm concerned. I just wish it had a bigger tank. It feels very wrong the same consumption on the E9X vs the X5!

[Scharbag]

So - 2000KM on this oil and the filter housing looks clean and nothing seems to be in the filter. Slowly getting over the fear of red-line...

Here is hoping as I am taking the M3 on a 6500KM road trip starting next week

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

So - 2000KM on this oil and the filter housing looks clean and nothing seems to be in the filter. Slowly getting over the fear of red-line...

Here is hoping as I am taking the M3 on a 6500KM road trip starting next week

6500km, thats a proper round mate! Be sure you bring your petrol card...

[MMachines]

Awesome! Enjoy it!

My subframe is about to go back up, and I'm like you in a way. This is now Schrodinger's cat, for the moment, I have a nice fixed M3.

Where are you off to?

[Scharbag]

Going on a road trip with my wife down to Cali and then back through Oregon. Just put new PS4S tires on the whip. Gas card is all full of $$, Sirius subscription is fully paid and the oil is nice and new.

Should be a fun trip with some great roads.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Going on a road trip with my wife down to Cali and then back through Oregon. Just put new PS4S tires on the whip. Gas card is all full of $$, Sirius subscription is fully paid and the oil is nice and new.

Should be a fun trip with some great roads.

Bravo! That looks like one hell of a trip, enjoy and safe travels!

[MMachines]

Great trip, I've driven a number of those roads. I've always wanted to stay off I5 between NorCal and Portland but have never had the time. I hate to, but I'll say it - you'll be a stones throw from Yellowstone, if you've not been I believe it's worth the detour if you have time.

I'm in Portland, if you need anything while passing through let me know.

[FiveOhFour]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Very happy to see you're enjoying the car!

For reference, my X5 35i consumes pretty much exactly the same in highway trips than the M3 and is **way** less fun to drive.

On the E90 DCT I get around 21mpg in a long trip.

I drove a M4 GTS home Sunday night and it got 22.8mpg. If having a turbo engine is the price to pay to save 1.8mpg then it's just not worth it. I'll take the wonderful S65 any day of the week

Having a downsized+turbo engine is the price to pay for emissions standards that prioritize lab testing and therefore incentivize manufacturers to cheat the numbers by testing consumption thats not all reflective of actual driving. Otherwise we may have a turbo V8 f80 if just the horsepower Wars were at fault