BMW E46 Cylinder Head Installation DIY

I began my rebuild when I did a compression test and noticed I had poor compression in cylinders 2-6 (about 142 psi, the bottom of the service limit). Cylinder 1 had 160 psi. A leakdown test showed leakage into each adjacent cylinder. Of course my engine also had the oil consumption problem (1 quart every 1000 miles) that every M54 engine has, which is caused by the oil rings which wear down prematurely (the M52TU used different oil rings which did not have this problem). There was also coolant loss, which I didn't measure precisely.
To see all the videos in the #m54rebuild series: • M54 Engine Rebuild Pro...
To view all the specs and torques for BMW M54/M52TU engines: goo.gl/jLvcgR
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@markholian3506]

Thanks for the commitment you put into these high quality videos it's much appreciated 👍

[@TJSATAN]

Dude! you are an AWESOME teacher! you ability to explain what you are doing, and your no nonsense approach to presenting the task at hand is just plain great! I am a new BMW 330ci owner and your videos have been so helpful for so many of my needs! Just two days ago I replaced a coil after struggling to figure out what was wrong for over a week! It was one of your videos that lead me to find what was wrong! I could have lost tons of money trying out other repairs without your help. I have never subscribed to anything before so you have the honor of being the only subscription I have to a youtube channel

[@vviiper]

Another awesome video 50sKid! I'm excited for the next video when you start it up and see how it runs!

[@marks2730]

Followed this engine rebuild since day 1. I'm excited to see when this project is done, with your engine running like new. What a job well done!

[@50sKid]

thanks for watching!

[@migelprager1097]

It runs like new, because it is almost new! (Jason exchanged 90% of the parts that operate under thermal fatigue or under cyclic tensile stress)

[@wjohnsonism]

Man that block looks great. So darn clean!

[@MechengrMIKE2200]

Man, thanks a million for all of these. I am close to finishing my rebuild (adding a Turbo also) and your videos were extremely helpful. You are entertaining too. We all drop and lose shit, but your calm demeanor in reaction to it is humorous.

[@50sKid]

thanks, man!

[@adiseferi3178]

You deserve more subscribers. Thanks for all the informative videos. Great job and everything looks great

[@50sKid]

How do we tell this to KZbin? lol

[@adiseferi3178]

If I knew I'd be making videos too but for now I'm learning how to fix my car thanks to you I have changed a window regulator, thermostat and a valve cover gasket with help from your videos you saved me lots of cash. Much appreciated

[@christopherwatkins7881]

Maybe ask for donations, since viewers are saving so much money. I have watched E46 videos all over KZbin and none of them have the production value or knowledge yours does.

[@chandlerh5009]

Adi Seferi most people that own bmw s either run them.into the ground and buy another one..or pay a shit ton of money and take it to the dealer. lol only a select few are crazy enough to work on these.

[@jefftc14]

you're the man, loving these

[@liamyong1106]

The tips are awesome thanks 50s kid!

[@sargentragjizz9941]

educating people, what better can KZbin be used for? thank you 50skid!

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Another great video. I don't even have this engine but I'm really enjoying this series! You deserve way more subscriptions.

[@50sKid]

Thanks!

[@Egopromaster]

nice dude you know what you do. very good introducion. i´m from germany but there´s no german video so good like all of your´s. very good. i´m very excited!!!

[@shelbybeathard5600]

Love it just got an e46 for free uve saved my rear a few times on repairs

[@joleeusstreetgarage8385]

Hi 50s Kid, I can't wait to hear the roaring sound of this engine. It will feel like new life is born again.

[@mous1888]

50skid you do great great job. continue guy

[@HeliHolic]

i made the same mistake by oiling just the tips... creaked bad.....so i removed them dipped the whole thread in oil and sat them in place in order then finger tightened in order also then went through the torque procedure and all torqued up perfectly... Thanks for the tips.

[@DuperSuperDave]

Great video guy..love ya!

[@baja1980s]

Good video, great quality too 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@triantafylosladas8738]

You are very great and helpful!

[@dingaling6910]

U are a legend lad, ur chanel is the best!!

[@ub3rc00k]

GOOD JOB! Regards from Serbia !

[@E39ForLife0]

hats off to you sir

[@MotordyneG35]

I enjoyed this video, thank you.

[@Adrian12352]

Great video! Thanks 😁

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

Vertical grooves ? Worked fine before with those groove's... ...... SEND IT !!!! ... FULL SEND, brraahhhh.

[@tinkytinkz]

SO fun to watch my engine get rebuilt.

[@gediegengegonnt31]

great video series. could you update an acceleration video after the rebuild?

[@petergondolier4088]

You can use a small hone to remove the ridges. Install a flat washer in the bore to protect the lower raised edges, and you're good to go..

[@arnolduk123]

Another great well explained video...I like your lifter storage box at 22:40. Sorry to be a butt pain but I noticed a few mistakes or overlooked procedures. At 13:35 you forgot to oil your bolt washers on both sides ! maybe you did it off camera but it is important to explain that so you don't get the dreaded creaking when torquing. Too much oil on the bolts is not good either as it can't escape and will build up pressure in the bolt holes and affect the torque or worse escape into the gasket!. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't new bolts come pre-lubed with a light covering of grease as oil is not good in bolt thread holes.

[@speedracer76]

I just bought a 2002 330xi. I would like to see videos of your car running and driving after all this work.

[@TheProjectDprojectd]

Perfect vídeo.

[@alanhuynh4827]

Do you recommend using sealer when installing new head gasket?

[@Young_23]

I attempted to put my head on without using this method, and ended up getting scratches around the dowel port on the cylinder head mating surface. Is that bad? Do I need to resurface it again?

[@jasoncyphers4265]

Hey Jason first of all ..thanks for all your support and hard work… but I do have a question… I need a new head on my 330i … going to buy new.. could you recommend … ecs,vac Motorsport..turner Motorsport..uro tuning.. thank you

[@steffo2oo2]

#nice #shoutout from #germany to all

[@jacobdixon250]

Where did you get the thicker gasket?

[@davidvenegasramirez6001]

You never specified in any camshaft installation video in what position to install the exhaust camshaft sensor. Where does it go?

[@raykal6691]

Hey 50s kid. Better late than never. But what's your advice on the break in period? Did you use factory specific oil (synthetic 5w 30) also when can one go WOT. Some say if you don't redline early you dont get full engine potential and others the opposite. Whats best for break in period for piston rings and all? Thanks

[@kingjuve3231]

Do you have to put grey gasket maker on or does it not matter?

[@allanhouslin6704]

I am watching you from first night

[@Georgepaintdesign]

Hi, I didn’t see this video before, and I rotate the engine a little bit, once I had already the cylinder head out, so I rotated but I don’t “tense” the timing chain with my hand. It’s not a big deal? Or this action can affect in something? Btw good video!

[@marcosd8783]

Hi this my first time working on my E46 I would like to know if the time on the engine needs to be done Because I replaced the cylinder head Any info will be appreciated thanks

[@christopherwatkins7881]

Would a clogged "smog tube" cause a cold start pending misfire and shake until the SAP shuts off? If so, any ideas on cleaning it without removing the head? Thank you again for all your amazing videos!

[@50sKid]

No, it sounds more like O2 sensor problems or something. A clogged "smog tube" passage would just make it as if the SAP didn't exist and wasn't blowing extra oxygen into the exhaust manifolds to heat up the O2 sensors and catalytic converters.

[@Xanzeri]

Did you not have to use a sealing compound like 3 Bond 1209 on the block before assembling? Or don’t you need to?

[@antsh1985]

how much did you pay for new vanos line? I am thinking to replace mine, but price is ridiculous.

[@genadpapashvili7185]

Hi @50sKid could you write down those bolts torque size in newton

[@alwedworth]

I use the dish washer to clean my engine parts. Cascae works best. Cleans the Aluminum nice, My cam trays look new.

[@evantac]

Is the cylinder head crack issue a common problem to this type of engine,my coolant keeps loosing even i have the cooling system overhauled.

[@LS-lt4os]

Hye 50s kids nice video, what machine shop did you go to and got this done?

[@boudithehunter1320]

I mixed them up by mistake I’m worry to put my engine back any trick that I can install them ?

[@mcormg11]

Can you clarify the torque down values for those of us with a regular torques wren instead or a digital 90 degree wrench. You mention somewhere, 60nm? Nathans Garage says 65 and then he came back later and thought 55 would be safer. Any comment would be appreciated. Thanks. I have rebuilt an e36, an e39 and now a e 46 using your video's. Invaluable resource!

[@50sKid]

Gary McOrmond there is no “regular torque” equivalent for this procedure. They switch to degree measurements for a reason-they don’t translate to a specific torque. Just use your torque wrench to do 60nm first and then switch to a breaker bar and eyeball the 90 degrees if you don’t want to spring for the $10 degree tool

[@evsonjunior]

these lifters for the intake looks like they are for Opel (GM) Family 2 engines, (C20XE) and (X20XEV)

[@thegreatpatsy]

Is there any trick to getting the head on with the Cams in? I'm dying, tried like 10 times and almost pulled my back.

[@davidvenegasramirez6001]

The installation manuals in German say that you need to oil the washer and half of thread bolts, torque to 40, then loosen for a time. Then retorque to 40 nm then 90°.

[@Opiti72]

is that right? which half? Did you read it in the manual? I am about to install the head...thanks

[@phutran5698]

hi 50kids i wonder why engine m54 my one is crankshaft bearing white mark and which size of crank bearing should i pick because it is got 3 different sizes 60.00mm,59.75mm and 59.50mm?

[@MrRoalinCoal1]

Needing help !!!! Warped my head on my m54b25 325ci, got it skimmed and he took off 40 thou (over a mil) off the head, he also told me not to bother building up the head gasket as it’s a petrol so it doesn’t need built up but a diesel would, but you and a few others say I should build up even though it’s a petrol. What should I do

[@JohnIsett]

Things are looking pretty good, Jason. Is that a new camshaft position sensor you installed? Did you get a new BMW-brand? I heard the Chinese replacements (no BMW roundel) are unreliable junk.

[@50sKid]

That intake cam position sensor was installed in its own video a while ago. I used a Mahle brand one I do believe. It's been doing just fine.

[@Mr_frost467]

Please help... this may sound stupid but my first 4 head bolts are T55 instead of E12. I'm so confused.

[@ivanbarrios5128]

Hi 50skid have a question to ask you, I have 2000 323i bmw and first the water pump gave up n I change it and than I change hoses, temperature sensors n than the clutch fan too, radiator n reservoir almost all the cooling system I bleed the car too n still over heats. Why is still overheating? Can u guide me please i have my car park for almost a year n a few months now n I wanna fix it to drive it. Please I'll appreciate it.

[@inocentpetkiller]

If there's anyone out there, i have the same lifters and one on the intake valves side messed up, I already bought a replacement but it looks the same as the one on the exhaust side. Is it safe to use it on the intake side?

[@wyskun]

i like how You clean lifters. Can I do same job with lifter from audi a4 b6 1.8t ? Couse lifters looks same

[@50sKid]

Yes as long as you can pull them apart like I did. As long as you don't have the kind that can't be pulled apart like my original intake ones.

[@drew32]

Great update Jason. Will be starting my rebuild soon. Have you considered doing porting and polishing to the head? I'd like to consider doing it to mine but wanted to know if you researched this.. thanks!

[@50sKid]

This head is basically ported already--there is very little improvement to be had.

[@drew32]

Good to know, thankyou!

[@hectorjt5738]

whats the torque on 2001 325

[@aaronbligh3619]

If you need to hone a cylinder of any size you can roll up a sheet of grit paper tight enough so it unravels inside the cylindrical part you want to hone and as its unraveling it's perfectly pressing against the cylinder wall and you can cross score or just gently hone by spinning the roll of unraveled grit paper to the speed and pressure of your choosing. Just a little tip I wanted to share. I hope I explained it well enough. 🤦

[@childofthearts3785]

dammit i mixed the lifters them up 😩 is it really that big of a deal?

[@bavareca90]

what number sand paper do you use ?

[@50sKid]

It was 600 grit

[@joleeusstreetgarage8385]

One question, the original head had crack. Is it repairable in machine shop? I saw some people welding.

[@50sKid]

You could tig weld the surface crack but what about the others? Hard to get to them and there there is no guarantee that there wouldn't be more cracks internally. It would have been a lot of labor versus the $125 replacement used junkyard head.

[@joleeusstreetgarage8385]

oh that is correct. crack may exist in the inside of head. Did the machine shop check pressure test on your cracked head?

[@mrdon1.errity]

....I know u mean good "but torqing the engine bolts 1234 in that sequence is going to place improper pressure on drive shaft....do ends first ....then work your way in......."Look the Germans they know what there doing.......anyway I actually enjoy ur vids.....I'm only getting into Michanics now

[@gpalmer456]

maybe youve answered this, but whats the total cost of rebuild been?

[@50sKid]

$2500. Got a video coming up on it. There is a dropbox link in the description with details.

[@jimmarpayne5959]

hey, i got a 01 325i blown head gasket ,overheated, whats the difference between the "1.0mm" thickness vs the ".7mm"? what whats the better one to use

[@50sKid]

You use the 1.0mm gasket if you have the head resurfaced and the machine shop removes close to or more than 0.013" (0.3mm) of material from it. 1.0mm is 0.3mm greater than 0.7mm, you see? 0.7mm is the stock gasket.

[@jimmarpayne5959]

50sKid im close to finish taking off the head ,im bout to bring it to the shop to be shaved but i dnt kno how much will b taken off, i was goin to order the gasket ,u think i should wait until i get it shaved or is it a good idea to order the 1.0mm? or the stock?

[@50sKid]

jimmar payne you should wait

[@sterlingwitherspoon5709]

Is it ok to use cooper gasket spray on a new head gasket and resurfaced head?

[@50sKid]

no

[@automaster2859]

@@50sKid hi i used cooper gasket spray on the new head, and now in the process of putting everything back together, is the spray going to be a problem?

[@daveumbc]

Another great video! I just go my head back from the machine shop. I paid $390 to have it "serviced". He said it pressure tested OK. The guy wanted to do a valve job for $800 The mating surface has stains but is clean. About half of the valves are carbon coated and half look as though they have been cleaned. There are some scratches on the clean valves. I expected the valves to be clean. Will the carbon be a problem? What would you do here?

[@50sKid]

Dude what all did they do for $390? Just a pressure test? Did they hot tank it? I mean does it look like what mine looked like in these videos? Did they resurface the head? It kind of sounds like they didn't. And $800 for a valve job, jesus, that is way over priced. You should have gotten a pressure test, hot tank, valve job, and resurface for $300-500 depending on the area you're in. A little more for replacing the valve guides. Send me some pictures on Facebook.

[@daveumbc]

They pressure tested and hot tanked it. The intake passages were still full of oil and trash that came out when I sprayed carb cleaner in it. I found another machine shop that quoted ~450 for a valve job and everything. I should have shopped around. I was rushed so I'd be able to put everything back together in the time I have off next week. I'm going to have a talk with the guy who charged so much and tell him that I'm not a happy customer. On the block side I found a small crack in one of the coolant passages. There are two passages that are connected below the surface. The crack appears to be maybe 3mm long and heads between the two coolant openings. I'm hoping this crack isn't an issue. Thoughts? I'll try and post a picture on facebook.

[@50sKid]

Yeah I have no confidence that this guy really pressure tested your head. Plus if it was really hot tanked it shouldn't have oil and trash coming out. Yeah let me see a picture of this crack in the block.

[@vicamaral]

please please cover the intake ports please when you dropped that 10mm screw my hearth stopped.thank you

[@50sKid]

It wouldn't go past the valve

[@patrickfinnegan1464]

@@50sKid pm.

[@neonlam93]

i really want to say, that bolt with 40Nm ,90 degree and 90 degree is hard to tight....

[@neonlam93]

anyway,thanks for the video

[@NoSthing101]

m54b30 has a different camshaft than m52tu engines. More duration and lift for M54b30.

[@50sKid]

I got the other camshafts from a 530i with an M54B30 engine.

[@texast1311]

Hey kids I put a new head gasket in my engine everything is new water pump thermostat all the pipe and the head still flood wif coolant? Any ideas why? Help please

[@50sKid]

it might be cracked internally

[@texast1311]

50sKid NOO that can't be? ive check everything before I put it back in. Any ideas what I should do then? Thanks

[@50sKid]

If you are losing coolant and you have no external leaks and you've already changed your head gasket, you've likely got internal cracks like I had or you needed to resurface your head and you didn't and now it's not sealing properly.

[@texast1311]

50sKid. Yes. it is not sealing properly. I ve check. the surface head is all flat no gap before I put em back in. Thanks

[@charlesdefrancisco5056]

I have done more three angle valve seats than most people have taken breaths..I can see the three angles

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

$240 ?? I was quoted $600 on a Subaru ej259 in 2018.

[@ShyDaMan]

Instead of "dowels" I used a couple pencils....

[@Xixu.co.6]

This is absolutely fucking impossible to do by yourself if you still have the radiator support in place. I still can't believe how heavy the head is on these engines. I wouldn't have been able to do it without help.

[@erhanduman5909]

Ya bunun turkcesi yokmu

[@uttarabia1]

dear sir I have ford explorer 2010 last week I find sound under like transmission are transfer case with check engine light I find following dtc code -p0970 , p0966 ,p0962, p0765, p0760, p0755 ,p0750, p0743, how I can fixed it what can be the problem this car is AWD

[@cylonred8902]

I laughed... ;)

[@50sKid]

At what? I fill these videos with so many jokes... ;-)

[@cylonred8902]

The tool for the keepers went flying across the garage.

[@Selvinop94]

Her: So when are you Proposing? Me On Top: 33:11

[@robertwelke9719]

U