The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[BMWCurves]

I got my valve cover off. That thing was seriously stuck on there and the VCG is very hard and brittle. In the process of getting the valve cover off, the brittle VCG snapped in some places. My question is...there are definitely pieces of rubber on the inner spark plug gasket area that chipped off and I think I have found most of them, but there might still be some lurking down somewhere. Just how bad is that? I'm worried they'll get churned up and slip down between a valve spring or worse.

Also, what do you guys do to clean the mating surface of the block? Brake cleaner?

[ZHP_Brandon]

I got my valve cover off. That thing was stuck on there and the gasket is very hard and brittle. My question is...there are definitely pieces of rubber on the inner spark plug gasket area that chipped off and I think I have found most of them, but there might still be some lurking down somehwere. Just how bad is that? I'm worried they'll get churned up and slip down between a valve spring or worse.

I say an air compressor and a air hose with a fitting will help in this case, considering the spark plugs are still on to make sure none of the pieces find there way into another one of the cylinders. Otherwise use an old rag to block off the other cylinders while you gently blow the air around.

GL bud


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[BMWCurves]

I say an air compressor and a air hose with a fitting will help in this case, considering the spark plugs are still on to make sure none of the pieces find there way into another one of the cylinders. Otherwise use an old rag to block off the other cylinders while you gently blow the air around.

GL bud


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I should rephrase. The portion of the VCG that surrounds the spark plug areas are what broke into bits, and if there are some still remaining, they're down below like by the cams (see below). I guess my largest concern is a piece blocking an oil return somewhere or something like that.

[BMWCurves]

Also, is it not common to replace the VANOS housing intake and exhaust gaskets? There's no mention of replacing them in Beisan's guide.

[ELCID86]

Also, is it not common to replace the VANOS housing intake and exhaust gaskets? There's no mention of replacing them in Beisan's guide.

He doesn’t include the Vanos gasket (any more?) but he does recommend doing it. There is another seller that includes it and it comes with Dr. V’s kit iirc.

[BMWCurves]

He doesn’t include the Vanos gasket (any more?) but he does recommend doing it. There is another seller that includes it and it comes with Dr. V’s kit iirc.

Too late now. I'm surprised Beisan doesn't recommend it more specifically. I just missed it on my initial read through of the Beisan guide so I never ordered it with the VANOS seals.

[san]

Too late now. I'm surprised Beisan doesn't recommend it more specifically. I just missed it on my initial read through of the Beisan guide so I never ordered it with the VANOS seals.

So you’re done replacing the vanos seals?


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[BMWCurves]

So you’re done replacing the vanos seals?


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Yup. Finished a little while ago. Now I need to run the car. Fingers crossed.

[704sw]

I know this has been covered more than once, but I’m seeing conflicting answers all over the place: what functions do/don’t work with the M3 cluster in our cars? I think a couple people here are running them...

[ELCID86]

Too late now. I'm surprised Beisan doesn't recommend it more specifically. I just missed it on my initial read through of the Beisan guide so I never ordered it with the VANOS seals.

I️ agree. Or just include it at least as an option—it’s like a <$20 part, right?