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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Project E46 330i Touring
- Thread starter evnmopwr
- Start date
///M Individual
Well-known member
Inspirational bud!
Sorry about the kak year but glad things are looking up and wish you all the best going forward!
I am sure the car is going to give you many happy kms as well.
Sorry about the kak year but glad things are looking up and wish you all the best going forward!
I am sure the car is going to give you many happy kms as well.
maleven-GP
Well-known member
Labour of love.. At this stage nothing matters anymore 🫡
Love how you put on your big boy pants, knuckled down and got it all sorted bro.
May things only look up from here on out. Amen
May things only look up from here on out. Amen
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Update:
Once the Motor was all installed, I started its 1000km "Run In" but was faced with a massive oil leak from the back of the engine.
Looked to be coming from the tappet cover gasket ( was brand new one i installed ).
Removed it and resealed it on half moons again.
the leak persisted.
After some research, Happened to find a post on E46Fanatics of someone who experianced the same issue where they had massive oil leak from top after receiving their Head back from Engineers.
Turned out to be this Oil channel screw which was probably removed by engineers and not tightend when reinstalled.So those of you planning to Do some head work, Make sure you check this Before you install. It was not easy to remve and re install this. I had to cut 1 allen Key to allow it to fit in that gap, Then i welded another allen key to the other End to Increas the Length.
But 1000km Later on Motul 5w40 Oil, and not a drop of oil was used. no Glitter in the oil or oil Filter.
Drained the oil and Put in fresh oil and Oil Filter.
Currently done total of 2500km and happy to report that all is in order.
There is a slight Lifter tick but nothing That rings any alarm bells.
Next on the cards will be to rebuild the Vanos.
I still have the X8R kit which i bought a long time ago. So will do that soon.
Hoping to have the Paint work Fixed up in this year too. Basically the issues mentioned In previous post on the thread.
bonnet Clear started Fading abit since then. but clearcoat looks savable.
Roof will be repainted
Passenger Side rear quater will be sanded down and Repainted/Blended ( might do whole side. ).
Pics/updates to follow
Once the Motor was all installed, I started its 1000km "Run In" but was faced with a massive oil leak from the back of the engine.
Looked to be coming from the tappet cover gasket ( was brand new one i installed ).
Removed it and resealed it on half moons again.
the leak persisted.
After some research, Happened to find a post on E46Fanatics of someone who experianced the same issue where they had massive oil leak from top after receiving their Head back from Engineers.
Turned out to be this Oil channel screw which was probably removed by engineers and not tightend when reinstalled.So those of you planning to Do some head work, Make sure you check this Before you install. It was not easy to remve and re install this. I had to cut 1 allen Key to allow it to fit in that gap, Then i welded another allen key to the other End to Increas the Length.
But 1000km Later on Motul 5w40 Oil, and not a drop of oil was used. no Glitter in the oil or oil Filter.
Drained the oil and Put in fresh oil and Oil Filter.
Currently done total of 2500km and happy to report that all is in order.
There is a slight Lifter tick but nothing That rings any alarm bells.
Next on the cards will be to rebuild the Vanos.
I still have the X8R kit which i bought a long time ago. So will do that soon.
Hoping to have the Paint work Fixed up in this year too. Basically the issues mentioned In previous post on the thread.
bonnet Clear started Fading abit since then. but clearcoat looks savable.
Roof will be repainted
Passenger Side rear quater will be sanded down and Repainted/Blended ( might do whole side. ).
Pics/updates to follow
evnmopwr
Well-known member
The best part is no oil Usage.
And Occupants dont smell like Burnt oil when we exit the car after a Drive. LOL
Can feel some Extra Horses unlocked.Very responsive
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Small update.
+-6000km on the motor. had to top up around 150ml - 200ml of oil.
I have noticed a Puff of Bluish Smoke now and then when pulling away from a stop after long downhill Deceleration.
I have Topped up since and monitoring the Oil usage again.
Would have loved to see a consistant ZERO oil usage but Alas, VERY HAPPY with the outcome thus far. Thinking its probably the CCV.
I recall my brother had a 2016/2017 120i with about 3000km on. Bought as a Demo. He drove to knysna and it called for 1l Oil to top up. LOL. on a practically brand new car.
so based on that, im not going to worry about a 200ml oil topup after 6000km.
Washed the car few weeks back after that CPT Storms passed.. Posting it n my thread for Record purposes.
PS: Paint Defects have still not been COrrected.
+-6000km on the motor. had to top up around 150ml - 200ml of oil.
I have noticed a Puff of Bluish Smoke now and then when pulling away from a stop after long downhill Deceleration.
I have Topped up since and monitoring the Oil usage again.
Would have loved to see a consistant ZERO oil usage but Alas, VERY HAPPY with the outcome thus far. Thinking its probably the CCV.
I recall my brother had a 2016/2017 120i with about 3000km on. Bought as a Demo. He drove to knysna and it called for 1l Oil to top up. LOL. on a practically brand new car.
so based on that, im not going to worry about a 200ml oil topup after 6000km.
Washed the car few weeks back after that CPT Storms passed.. Posting it n my thread for Record purposes.
PS: Paint Defects have still not been COrrected.
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Another Small update.
SHE BROKE!. LMAO!
Radiator Popped
Thankfully i was down the road from home
View attachment 1000109456.mp4
SHE BROKE!. LMAO!
Radiator Popped
Thankfully i was down the road from home
View attachment 1000109456.mp4
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Parts Arrived Last night Thanks to Shabeer From SandS Autoworks.
That oke is dependable on another level.
Regrettably, it seems Goldwagen no longer stocks the NRF Radiators.
I cheaped out this time and got a WAG just to get the car going again.
Month end will purchase a better Brand as Spare and store it.
The Parts
All Put back together and BLed.
That oke is dependable on another level.
Regrettably, it seems Goldwagen no longer stocks the NRF Radiators.
I cheaped out this time and got a WAG just to get the car going again.
Month end will purchase a better Brand as Spare and store it.
The Parts
All Put back together and BLed.
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Small update
Since the Engine rebuild, aside from the Popped Radiator, The car has been pretty reliable.
After putting about 1000km on the engine, Oil was drained And new Motul 8100 X-cess 5w40 used.
And the car drove perfectly since.
December 2025 was ALMOST a repeat of 2024 thanks to 2 mistakes i made.
Listing Mistakes so i dont make it again and so others can learn from it too.
Mistake 1:
- On fresh rebuild, I used 5w40 Motul oil instead of a run-in oil
- should have used a 10w40 to help with Bearings/Rings to "seat"
Mistake 2:
- Supposed to do a few oil changes to clear oil/Engine of seating materials.
- I only did 1 oil change at 1000km.
So Started Hearing some "noises" from engine that kind of Put me on edge.
Like a grinding noise but got louder as you drive.
Naturally i was thinking Worst case scenario and i pulled the oil filter.
Saw no material in the ribs of concern so i figured ok i should be fine
As soon as the Pan the filter was in hit the light, I nearly had a Damn Heart attack
This is what i saw ( Excuse the poor quailty pics ) microscopic GLitter in Oil. Only seen under sunlight.
Cannot feel on fingers.
Drained the oil and there are few tiny particles in the oil
Needless to say, I drained the oil immediatly and Changed it with new oil filter.
But my "Noise" was still there.
After i calmed down abit, made a few phone calls and everyone telling me to relax and that for 9000km i been driving with Oil that had Seating material in it and thats why it looks sparkly.
And Contacted Baby Jakes and he came round to check it and Said its normal for new engine and he seen MUCH worse.
He also mentioned, Use of Some Assemble lube will also make Oil appear sparkly.
Also advised to change oil and Send it. Advised to change the oil again end of Jan and See what it looks like. ( it should obviously show a decline) ... I HOPE!!!!
After that and i was able to think clearly, I pulled the belts and started the car and that "Noise" was gone...
GOD DAMN TENSIONER PULLEY!!!! lol. (Topran Crap that only lasted 2years according to my invoices)
Replaced Both the Idler and Tensioner pullies
Once all belts on, the "Noise" is now gone.
A scare and a half but im glad it made me check the oil filter. as i had another 1000km to go before i was going to change the oil again.
Lessons learnt:
Use run un oil on start up. (Was told 10w40)
Drain after 15min and replace with Fresh oil.
Run for 1000km and then drain and Put in 5w40
then run to 3000km and Drain and Put in 5w40.
Right now, She runs strong. no noises that concern me
no Rumbles when driving beside a wall ( Beleive me im checking EVERYDAY. lol )
for those who rebuilt these engines or the likes, is this normal? and do you think i will be ok?
I cannot wait for End of Jan as im itching to drain this oil again. LMAO!
Since the Engine rebuild, aside from the Popped Radiator, The car has been pretty reliable.
After putting about 1000km on the engine, Oil was drained And new Motul 8100 X-cess 5w40 used.
And the car drove perfectly since.
December 2025 was ALMOST a repeat of 2024 thanks to 2 mistakes i made.
Listing Mistakes so i dont make it again and so others can learn from it too.
Mistake 1:
- On fresh rebuild, I used 5w40 Motul oil instead of a run-in oil
- should have used a 10w40 to help with Bearings/Rings to "seat"
Mistake 2:
- Supposed to do a few oil changes to clear oil/Engine of seating materials.
- I only did 1 oil change at 1000km.
So Started Hearing some "noises" from engine that kind of Put me on edge.
Like a grinding noise but got louder as you drive.
Naturally i was thinking Worst case scenario and i pulled the oil filter.
Saw no material in the ribs of concern so i figured ok i should be fine
As soon as the Pan the filter was in hit the light, I nearly had a Damn Heart attack
This is what i saw ( Excuse the poor quailty pics ) microscopic GLitter in Oil. Only seen under sunlight.
Cannot feel on fingers.
Drained the oil and there are few tiny particles in the oil
Needless to say, I drained the oil immediatly and Changed it with new oil filter.
But my "Noise" was still there.
After i calmed down abit, made a few phone calls and everyone telling me to relax and that for 9000km i been driving with Oil that had Seating material in it and thats why it looks sparkly.
And Contacted Baby Jakes and he came round to check it and Said its normal for new engine and he seen MUCH worse.
He also mentioned, Use of Some Assemble lube will also make Oil appear sparkly.
Also advised to change oil and Send it. Advised to change the oil again end of Jan and See what it looks like. ( it should obviously show a decline) ... I HOPE!!!!
After that and i was able to think clearly, I pulled the belts and started the car and that "Noise" was gone...
GOD DAMN TENSIONER PULLEY!!!! lol. (Topran Crap that only lasted 2years according to my invoices)
Replaced Both the Idler and Tensioner pullies
Once all belts on, the "Noise" is now gone.
A scare and a half but im glad it made me check the oil filter. as i had another 1000km to go before i was going to change the oil again.
Lessons learnt:
Use run un oil on start up. (Was told 10w40)
Drain after 15min and replace with Fresh oil.
Run for 1000km and then drain and Put in 5w40
then run to 3000km and Drain and Put in 5w40.
Right now, She runs strong. no noises that concern me
no Rumbles when driving beside a wall ( Beleive me im checking EVERYDAY. lol )
for those who rebuilt these engines or the likes, is this normal? and do you think i will be ok?
I cannot wait for End of Jan as im itching to drain this oil again. LMAO!
What head work did you have done?
If head was worked on the valve seats the glitter is likely from the cut the engineers did.
Also you should not have smoke puffs from the engine unless stem seals were not installed correctly (not the first time that will be the case)
If head was worked on the valve seats the glitter is likely from the cut the engineers did.
Also you should not have smoke puffs from the engine unless stem seals were not installed correctly (not the first time that will be the case)
evnmopwr
Well-known member
They done the whole head.
New valve seats
Valves
Valvestem seals
Light skim
Baby Jakes said the same thing that they would not have gotten all the machining materials out of the head.
Last 2 or 3000km I have not seen smoke at all and have not needed to top up oil.
Basticks Engineering done the work. I believe they do allot of the clubmans bmw guys engineering.
Appreciate the advice and confirmation. I will monitor the oil usage etc
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