MrRokDok

I have a 545i with 138k miles on it. Running fine, but have been fighting the usual oil leaks. Changed the oil pan gasket, and much to my surprise, found some rubber (from the valve cover gasket) and some plastic parts in the pan. Being concerned, I tried to locate the sources of the plastic parts and concluded (wrongly) that it was from the timing guide/tensioners. Pulled the engine and opened up the head covers and found the source of the plastic, which were the 3 plastic slide guides to align the bottom of the head cover to the head. the were broken from both sides by the mechanic that was a bit careless.


With the head cover off, I inspected the cams and found the eccentric shaft for cylinder 1 was worn through the protective coating and was down to bare metal. There is an SIB regarding the intermediate levelers and the eccentric cam; however, my levelers were stamped 04-362 which were after the tolerance issues for the SIB.


Did a leakdown test:
Cylinder - %Leakage (R - Rings, E - Exhaust)
1 - 7% R
2 - 5% E
3 - 6% R
4 - 15 E then 10% E (after tapping on the valve)
5 - 2% R
6 - 2% R
7 - 4% E (oil seepage on the valve also)
8 - 4% R (oil seepage on the valve also)


so, now my questions:


1) What should I do with the eccentric shaft and levelers? Replace Bank 1 shaft and all levelers or just the shaft and the leveler causing the damage?
2) What about bank 2, replace the eccentric shaft and all levelers?
3) Does anyone know where I can find the plastic head cover slides since they are not listed as a part on the BMW sites and a new covers are $400 each.


This is my first post and I have found this forum useful and will post pictures and other information as I figure out a resolution. I haven't seen any guidance on the levelers in my searches, in the SIB, and the TIS.


Thanks in advance for any assistance.


Rock

turboawd

wow, sounds like you opened a can of worms there. lol
sorry i cant provide much help, but can you post a pic of what you found worn?

KyleB

if you aren't a member of bimmerforums.com, I recommend you sign up for it and look up user name 'Schpenxel' and/or 'kaineb'. Both of them have completely rebuilt these V8s from the ground up, and I'm sure you could get a solid answer from either one of them. They're on this forum also, but I see them post on bfc a lot more often.

If you go to the E60 section of that forum, they both have a running thread documenting the rebuild(s). The thread will be on the first page, you can't miss it.

Good luck with the car.

MrRokDok

Thanks for the comments. It is pretty wormy.... I will post on bimmerfest.