Maintenance Time!

[gr330zhp]

Whats up guys?

So my BMW is approaching 70k miles and I think it is time to do some maintenance. I want to do the following, but have some questions....

Valve Cover Gasket- Pretty straightforward, will have gasket and sealant. Do I need gaskets for the valve cover bolts??

Spark Plugs- NGK. Anybody against?

Vanos seals-Havent done it, looked up some DIY, looks decently straightforward? Best place to get from?
Oil change

Cabin microfilter

Control arm bushings-Will be the 3rd set on the car. BMW replaced the originals just before CPO expired in 2009 about 30k miles ago. They are weakening though. Should I just do OE again? I was thinking of doing Powerflex, but am afraid I will ruin the quality of the ride like I did in my Jetta...anybody here?

RTABS?? -My indy looked it all over about 7k miles ago and said they were in EXCELLENT shape, which surprised me as they are original. Am I missing something here? :scratching head

CCV- Everything is fine, no oil consumption. The car is never driven in temps really below freezing. Oil changes every 3-4k with BMW synthetic. Should I bother with this?

I plan to do this all myself, and do it all before she goes away in November. I have put a ton of miles on it the past few months and I looked over it all and everything else looks good. Anything else I should plan on doing?

[danewilson77]

1. Yes....you need 15 grommets.

2. No....NGK bkr6equp are perfect.

3. www.beisansystems.com

You need other parts as well. Let me review your parts list prior to ordering.

4. Meyle HD...or Powerflex. The powerflex's were a little violent for me....but I'm lowered a bit...so that may have contributed.

5. Your call on CCV..IDK

[mikeyb74]

Stathi, your inbox is full...

[gr330zhp]

Thanks for the quick response Dane! :)

[gr330zhp]

Stathi, your inbox is full...

All taken care of :)

[S85FTW]

I just did my valve cover gasket and have a spare fs in the classifieds if interested.... I also put in NGK Iridium spark plugs, done at 93k miles

[gr330zhp]

I just did my valve cover gasket and have a spare fs in the classifieds if interested.... I also put in NGK Iridium spark plugs, done at 93k miles

Cool, I will check it out

[zj96sc]

NGK for sure.

You can get a completed vanos from Dr. VANOS as well, but the price is substantially higher than Beisan.

Vote Meyle on the FCABs.

3-4k is probably a tad over-ambitious. You can get a good 5-6-7 out of today's high quality synthetics. Changing too often will obviously never hurt anything, but given the price per quart this can save you a lot of money.

[mikeyb74]

I replaced the Bosch +4s to NGKs. I also just replaced the FCABs with Powerflex. No complaints so far with over a thousand miles on them and commuting 70+ a day. I'm curious to see if they are squeaky in the winter.

[aurelius]

VANOS:

Beisan is cheaper but you'll need tools you probably don't already have and you'll do more work.

Compare the DIY instructions on each site (Beisan vs DrV) and see what suits you.

[danewilson77]

VANOS:

Beisan is cheaper but you'll need tools you probably don't already have and you'll do more work.

Compare the DIY instructions on each site (Beisan vs DrV) and see what suits you.

Only when doing anti-rattle kit will you need special tools. And with the price diff between the two, you will own them.

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[gr330zhp]

So I am looking on Beisan site. Not finding an anti-rattle kit. So trying to understand this, by replacing the seals, the rattle isn't eliminated? But theres a separate kit for the rattle?

[danewilson77]

Stathi....

http://www.beisansystems.com/products.html

Double Vanos Rattle Repair Kit (6-cyl)

[kayger12]

So I am looking on Beisan site. Not finding an anti-rattle kit. So trying to understand this, by replacing the seals, the rattle isn't eliminated? But theres a separate kit for the rattle?

Vanos fails to operate properly due to oil leaking past the crappy o-rings. The Beisan seals solve this issue.

The rattle is caused by the bearing rings within the vanos. The Beisan anti-rattle kit consists of replacement bearing rings that don't rattle.

[gr330zhp]

Vanos fails to operate properly due to oil leaking past the crappy o-rings. The Beisan seals solve this issue.

The rattle is caused by the bearings within the vanos. The Beisan anti-rattle kit consists of replacement bearings that don't rattle.

Thanks a bunch Keith! Makes total sense! :)

[danewilson77]

Thanks a bunch Keith! Makes total sense! :)

Its really not a bearing....its a different sized spacer I believe....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/bs002_large-2.jpg

[kayger12]

Its really not a bearing....its a different sized spacer I believe....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/bs002_large-2.jpg

Roger that, DW.

Official name is the Vanos Piston Bearing Ring.

[danewilson77]

Roger that, DW.

Official name is the Vanos Piston Bearing Ring.

Lol....Yup.

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[kayger12]

I fixed my post so I sound like I know what I'm talking about.
:keith

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

I fixed my post so I sound like I know what I'm talking about.
:keith

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

Naaa..you do bro.

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[Hermes]

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/bs002_large-2.jpg

i just love how they have 'BS' on them, as if to remark on the quality of the stock parts... hilarious

(yes i know it stands for Beisan Systems, still find it funny)

[gr330zhp]

Okay, slight delay, but I'm ordering the Vanos repair kit tonight from Beisan. I have looked everything, is there a procedure anywhere though for the anti-ratle kit? I found the parts, but the DIY for the E46 Double Vanos only shows replacement of the seals

[danewilson77]

http://beisansystems.com/procedures/double_vanos_rattle_procedure.htm

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[gr330zhp]

Okayyyyy...so who has been successful with the anti-rattle kit repair? :dunno

[danewilson77]

Okayyyyy...so who has been successful with the anti-rattle kit repair? :dunno

Rob and Kristen did it in my garage.

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[az3579]

Okayyyyy...so who has been successful with the anti-rattle kit repair? :dunno

I had this done on my E30 with the S50 swap. Makes a WORLD of difference.


Dane,
Ever since we decided not to do the anti-rattle kit in your garage because of lack of the vice liner, the anti-rattle rings are still sitting in my spare parts box.... :rofl

[danewilson77]

I had this done on my E30 with the S50 swap. Makes a WORLD of difference.


Dane,
Ever since we decided not to do the anti-rattle kit in your garage because of lack of the vice liner, the anti-rattle rings are still sitting in my spare parts box.... :rofl

Do you want to sell them?

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[Mtnman]

Did mine in ur garage that day too dane.....

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk

[danewilson77]

Did mine in ur garage that day too dane.....

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk

Yup. Actually I don't think Kristen did hers. Couldn't get the piston apart....if I remember right.

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[gr330zhp]

Well, everything is ordered :)

[danewilson77]

Well, everything is ordered :)

What all did you get? Mind if I back you up on your shopping list?

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[gr330zhp]

Vanos Seal kit
Vanos Anti-rattle kit w/those soft vise liners
Valve cover gasket w/grommets
Spark plugs
Cabin air microfilter
New rim, just came in saturday (replaced the cracked one that I have :( )

I'm at 71k miles btw :)

[danewilson77]

Vanos Seal kit
Vanos Anti-rattle kit w/those soft vise liners
Valve cover gasket w/grommets
Spark plugs
Cabin air microfilter
New rim, just came in saturday (replaced the cracked one that I have :( )

I'm at 71k miles btw :)

-Vanos gasket?

-Extra vanos piston bolt? Remember....righty = loosey...

-Permatex?

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[gr330zhp]

-Vanos gasket?

-Extra vanos piston bolt? Remember....righty = loosey...

-Permatex?


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Ohh good call Dane. Is the Permatex like the RTV sealant for the valve cover gasket?

[kayger12]

Yup. Actually I don't think Kristen did hers. Couldn't get the piston apart....if I remember right.

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Correct. I bought Kristen's anti-rattle rings/spacers.

[danewilson77]

Ohh good call Dane. Is the Permatex like the RTV sealant for the valve cover gasket?

Yes sir.

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