2004 Imola ZHP - 270K Miles

[danewilson77]

Have been troubleshooting numerous codes. Replaced fuel filter (found intake to fuel pressure regulator broken) , spark plugs (found oil on threads, wells dry), and CCV system rebuild to include:
- Oil dip stick tube to pan o-ring QTY 1
- Oil dip stick o-rings QTY 2
- Intake air distribution manifold o-rings QTY 6
- CCV Oil seperator
- CCV Drain hose from separator
- CCV drain hose from vanos
- CCV drain hose from air distribution manifold QTY 2

Long story short.... Upon fire up, car was running very much the same. Cleared codes, took car for a drive. Good power, car running a bit rough (misfire), and as I pulled into driveway, I noticed a whidp of smoke from engine bay.

Popped hood, and this is what I found....

Oil on this mount....
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/40b1487d63160b907d0a73645da0fa3e.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/1193e54e4e943d043762e28750b384d5.jpg

This plug installed, right below spark plug #2 on head....
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/8d052c286ed323667de038d1d20a404e.jpg

This plug missing. Located right under spark plug #4, on side of head. What is this plug, what is the nomenclature, and what realoem drawing is it on?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/4f2b40eb3ec3f84217279952f32fe289.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/e033827d613faaadebf2dbcbe9a21f59.jpg

Thanks for any help.

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[BADCLOWN]

I can’t be of any help, but am equally curious. Wondering why that would be missing or back out AND what it’s purpose is

[johnrando]

Quite a bit of stuff, sux you're still having the issue. Good luck sorting it out I'm not sure what that is.

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[danewilson77]

I'm going to pick up peice 14 and 15 and see how it goes.... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/52a93897afba00b2bb6a92b60ea0e689.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/5ee02f34648750b4da63c2754553248d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/327eccd89260b7b5c95f480e272df868.jpg

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[Will]

Bummer about the leak. I think the leak is coming from a missing blind plug in the head. There are a series of them along the exhaust side of the head. That screw plug (#14 from REALOEM diagram) is between cylinder 3 and 4, and there is a blind plug over each cylinder.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dqj3bmH9PgfZb1yHFVfXbsWyeKX7sqGyqE6I3tTqurBQkNNJf K_Ww_0v6AnjHKRukpqGp--pJ0XVlX4cjQ-ax_-je1GOGIfoEv1X5TgoEzcWr3qgW0vmx7-9RZQ5jzqgLfLskAqH0bp7UVtF6lCNlm=w919-h689-no?authuser=0


The screw plug, part #14, is on the right, and the blind plug over cylinder 4 is on the left.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3cFo5fa0941nOFLWeHTo1ZMQQpC-GmycC6-_kjD91CT4NVjO1Qou6hkNiEq4celkvwL1GKSULfsWL0zb_dF3f XoBKAoD9Pg30PWVftcCA6zS-PlunwaF6X0lt1ieVsKVjdqsWv4CRm739dfMbdYcK4r=w919-h689-no?authuser=0

I think what's missing is something like this engine block blind plug (link (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cwa-j3172319)):

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/mediumlarge/cwa-j3172319_ml.jpg

Maybe a local engine machine shop can help with its replacement.

Edit: In case you need it, I measured the diameter of the blind plug:10.0 mm.

[danewilson77]

Goddamn piece 27 on the below!

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=EV53-USA-02-2004-E46-BMW-330i&diagId=11_2213

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200730/d3225f096205d40765fb5ebaa318cdd8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200730/e4f5dfd2496c006acb6dd9784474b810.jpg

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[Will]

Looks like that's it!

[danewilson77]

This lil johnhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200730/cb4ed8b8f0d3b76816c630863a59e2b4.jpg

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[danewilson77]

Can't find it anywhere to ship earlier than 8/17. Ugh

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[Will]

Not even a dealer? If the BMW Parts Distribution Centers (there's 6 in the US, I believe) have it in stock then it should be 2-3 days max for them to get it. But if they don't, then it'll have to come from supplier / Europe.

[danewilson77]

Understood.

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[pedro2u]

never used these guys but they're in Nashville and claim to have it in stock https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/436598/Cover-Lid-11121427243/

might be worth a call... (800) 467-9769

[danewilson77]

Ordered. Thank you

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[johnrando]

Nice!

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[danewilson77]

Also ordered this little screw jack to see if it will help me press this plug into place. Looks like the last thing I need is some high temp RTV sealant. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200731/0e717f22d4d7556320a1f547e176721a.jpg

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[Oli77]

Man, I opened the thread with mild palpitations thinking Dane is selling?

Glad you found the part. What an odd thing to happen. Good luck with fix brother.

[danewilson77]

Man, I opened the thread with mild palpitations thinking Dane is selling?

Glad you found the part. What an odd thing to happen. Good luck with fix brother.Never.

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[Dave1027]

I'm having doubts about this diagnosis. Dane, have you confirmed the "blind plug" is missing/leaking? Not just a bad valve cover gasket leaking oil into the cavity? Aren't those "freeze" plugs which would be antifreeze not oil? Which spark plug had oil on it?

[danewilson77]

Actually.... Great point. I replaced all of the plugs and none had oil on them.

Could be vcg.

I tell you... I went big or went home. I ended up tapping 10mm 1.5 threads into the hole and plugged it with a bolt.

All codes gone.... Runs like a dream.

I'll do the vcg complete what's needed though.

The plug situation is weird because we don't know when it popped out and it looks like oil sprays onto interior fender well (ish) area when the previous plugs I was building kept popping out.

Tap going in

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200821/387717cf1b428047cf141b9a40cd5558.jpg

The bolt

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200821/3d5daa01ebe6390c4692b3452b51f5dd.jpg

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