BMW E46 M54 Engine Rebuild Plan & Garage Tour

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.

[@wjohnsonism]

I'm glad I bought my 330 a year ago and then stumbled across your videos. Not only have they saved me (and others I'm sure) tons of cash but more importantly you got me back into turning my own wrenches and now I actually look forward to working on my car. Keep up the good work, were all counting on you to show us how to do this (no pressure);)

[@50sKid]

That is awesome!

[@michaelwmcclellannt]

50sKid Im's so excited about this series because I have an E46 325CI that has not to long ago came up with striped head blots. The car has 260,000 on it and I have been toying with the idea of rebuilding the engine. I have used your videos in the past as guides with good success. Thank for the great content.

[@DovKatz]

First of all, thank you for all your efforts and hard work 50's Kid! You've helped me a lot with my 2005 E46. I'd just like to say that by the time you add up the cost of tools, parts, machining and the risk of screwing something up (yes there's a good chance of that), engine replacement is also an attractive option. After ruining my cylinder head trying to replace my blown head gasket, and spending time and hundreds of dollars on tools and parts, I ended up swapping in a low mileage M54 (110,000 km / 68,000 miles) that I found for only $1000 at a local wrecker. Here's the anatomy of my failed cylinder head gasket replacement (for those that are interested): 1) Tried to install the head by hand rather than buying a hoist - damaged the freshly machined head surface. 2) Had the head machined a second time forcing me to have to buy a thicker head gasket to compensate. 3) Installed the head and while torquing the head bolts, found several stripped threads in the block. 4) Ordered a new head gasket and new set of head bolts (one time use). 5) Ordered an expensive Timesert kit to repair the block threads. 6) Broke off a Timesert insert while installing it leaving half an insert in one of the bolt holes. 7) Cursed a lot! 8) Ordered an oversize Timesert kit to replace the broken Timesert. 9) Installed the oversize Timesert 10) Damaged the head surface attempting to install it for the third time. 11) Cursed some more as the head was now too thin to machine again and had to be scrapped.

[@50sKid]

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm actually doing this for the fun of it AND so that I can produce videos for this channel. Getting another engine would be cheating, lol. Besides, every local wrecker will tell you their engine is a low mileage one, but I know which junkyards they're pulling them from (the fuckers are fast, I get email alerts that a new car has entered the yard and they are there at 6am and they pull the engine in 2 hours), there's no way to really know unless you power up the console. Anyway, chances are that engine will have been overheated at some point in its life as well. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for reinstalling the head that you're gonna like. I only regret my series wasn't out there before you went through all that heartache!

[@DovKatz]

Ah yes, but I had watched your leak test video! :-) Wrecker offered a 3 month warranty. I ran a leak test on the engine when I got it home with a max of 10% leakage on each cylinder .. I was quite happy.

[@mcycleserv]

for thread repairs there is a company called Kross Threads ..don't know if you have it in USA but they have taps for replacing threads with inserts ..the tap has the original size thread and has a cutter that drills out the original thread and recuts to the insert size is all in one and not expensive ...same as helicoil sparkplug taps but for head inserts

[@brencas]

Very excited for this series! This will be a great addition to the e46 community!

[@pehi113]

Very interesting. Don't know if anyone has even videoed this whole process before.

[@50sKid]

Not in the exact way that I'm going to do it, no. Other people have shown how to break down the entire engine while it's on the stand, though, so the information is out there if you search around.

[@AWhitaker999]

Hello and thank you for your helpful videos. I have been an automotive mechanic for 10 years and I have been repairing BMW's for the past year so I decided to buy one. I bought a 2001 e39 530i in very good condition. It has a blown head gasket but I decided to do a full rebuild. The engine has 160,000 miles and this is a car I wish to keep so I want it to be as reliable as it is stylish. I am excited to see your rebuild and I will be taking notes. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

[@lycanzhp1141]

Well that was great! This is going to fun to watch. It's a big chunk to bite off but I know you will see it through. I'll be along for the ride watching every vid! Oh and thanks for the garage tour. It was good to see it for the first time close up like that.

[@Tool0GT92]

Rebuilding a bmw engine is a pretty big job, can't wait to see how it turns out.

[@tcrc360]

Thank you for all of your videos! They have been a great help for my 2004 330xi. I cannot wait for the new series to begin! Good Luck!

[@Shas4Ever]

Great BMW video and instructor.

[@EstorilGarage]

Best of luck man! Honestly your videos have taught me so much about my car and how to work on it. Can't wait to see what you do!

[@GarinKilpatrick]

Cool garage! Thanks for the awesome e46 videos you produce!

[@DunatsMC]

Congrats on 10k subs! Been watching since last summer, happy to see you grow man. Keep it up!

[@50sKid]

Thanks man! I'm very excited about that!

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Don't know how I missed this! Great to see your garage! Just an idea, you could put rafters up just over your door area and have a place to store all your wood and less used items. It would give you more room to work but I know the rebuild has been successfully done now lol

[@admittedflunkyy3573]

You should also get a bench grinder with a brass wheel for cleaning the valve faces. Wrap masking tape on the steam and put the steam in a power drill and use the motion of the drill with the motion of the grinder. It's a very quick and safe way to do it. As far as parts cleaning I would recommend ChemDip. I use it mainly for pistons. You can get it at Walmart. Use razor blades on the machined surfaces as well as brass brushes. And don't forget assembly lube. Can't wait to watch your progress.

[@50sKid]

Thanks, you reminded me about the brass wheel! There are a few little things I'm forgetting about. Red thread-locker. I'm making a list.

[@admittedflunkyy3573]

50sKid You may have to replace the coolant pipe going to the head. The end of it falls apart with age. If yours is bad you'll see what I mean you take it out. And I really hope you're talking the block and tranny out together, it's way easier that way. Also I would recommend taking out the right motor mount to get at the exhaust manifold bolts. Use an extractor socket just in case. No one likes bolts snapping.

[@admittedflunkyy3573]

Im just saying there's no way your getting to all of them from above and there may not be enough room for a flex head. Taking it out as one will give you a chance to torque the tranny bolts. So what I would do is take off the front end and when you get it all out you can just leave the tranny in the engine bay on the tranny jack instead of putting the rear tranny mount back on after getting the bolts out and supporting the front while making sure it doesn't move as you remove the block.

[@50sKid]

Yeah I was always planning on supporting it with my tranny jack. Interesting points that you bring up about removing the front end & about being able to torque the trans bolts. I thought about it. But then again, I will be able to move the engine forward several inches with the fan & fan shroud removed. Should give me the room to slide the trans forward enough to get the torque wrench on. That's what I'm thinking, anyway. Trying to avoid opening up the A/C system and causing an extra expense.

[@admittedflunkyy3573]

Venting the AC is inevitable. Your gonna have to disconnect the high and low pressure lines that go into the firewall. So before you do that purge the low side via the service port which is closest to the firewall. Just make sure you don't breath it in.

[@speedygecko]

Good luck on your rebuild... don't forget about the two hard plastic coolant lines the bores might have to be honed. I just replaced mine but it's leaking hopefully you'll have better luck

[@gediegengegonnt31]

great idea doing a series with the engine rebuild. looking forward seein the videos!!!

[@stuzman52]

Looks like you've given this project quite a bit of thought which is a sign of it going pretty well as you've got a plan. Just be safe when you pull the engine out as the ram didn't look very secure on the engine hoist. Take care...

[@jamiemcdougall8365]

looking forward to this iv got a 2001 330ci. all the best

[@mcycleserv]

best parts washer is an old deep single SS sink sitting in a 20 gal drum with 5 gal drum inside for solvent with aquarium pump inside ..outlet hose to tub has garden hose fitting and adjustable nozzle (the nozzle you can turn on and off with trigger)...the pump I used was a 12vDC 6000lph which has adjustable flow rate ..good tip always put water in the solvent and that way your solvent stays cleaner longer and when time to replace just change the water (water always stays on the bottom)

[@50sKid]

I like your idea about the water! Very good.

[@skinprison]

So damn awesome straight pro quality efforts by you sir.

[@DanielCipra]

Good luck mate! My 330ci eats oil like crazy.. I'm in Central Europe, using 5w40. Thinking about using 10w50 or 10w60 (Which I use in my M3). Would u recommend dat?

[@50sKid]

I would not recommend it unless BMW recommends it! Check the owners manual.

[@kikotoshev]

You rock! Wish you luck.

[@manikiro]

you should consider dropping the engine/transmission/subframe. I did this on my E46. It is much easier than pulling it.

[@aor3200]

Hi, wow what a great project you have here. Unfortunately, this is the only real solution if oil control rings are worn. They have had great success for oil consumption fix like mlody in e46fanatics, just replacing piston rings. I will definetly follow your project and videos. Top work! Have you bought oem piston ring kit, or will you assembly engine with different kind of rings? M52TU got different piston ring design, and in my opinion that engine type does not suffer worn oil control ring syndrome.

[@vitoldgesing6352]

Thanks for your vidios need to know torque specs on stud bolts for cams ...not the capa just the pins for them..

[@WillHinds]

I'm super interested in your experience with the exhaust manifold. I need to replace my flex guibo and trying to get the exhaust out of the way has really stymied me thus far. As always, thanks for your videos!

[@50sKid]

Ah, right hand drive? This guy has a good video on exhaust removal that should give you the clues you need: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKLVm5tvm8SIj8U

[@phillipwong9944]

You are the man!!!!

[@wickedsatan1]

Bought 330, nice guidance videos. How much you spent on parts alone? Are VANOS a pita?

[@josebracero8602]

Great job, thanks

[@HamidRHariri]

This is gonna be fun series to watch and learn. What's your guesstimate on the cost of the rebuild?

[@50sKid]

About $600 in parts and $450 in tools (would have been $600 if I had to buy an engine hoist). Hopefully the machining will be around $100 but I won't know until it's done.

[@carlosbarragan1673]

it would be easyier to buy another same car.... they are very cheap... now.. and you just swap a few parts...from yours.. well just saying..

[@joelgarcia6307]

+Carlos Barragan that's no fun. I'm sure he can a bunch of easier things but he really enjoys making these videos

[@selmirjasarevic9305]

Go for it. When will be first video?

[@voltesfive928]

I'm excited coz I want learn it.

[@sachavez3000]

Also I want to contribute to the channel, tell me how to do it. Thanks.

[@manikiro]

Lift the head with the exhaust headers attached.

[@50sKid]

Heh, nooooooo. Tried that in the junkyard, that is not a fun way to go. I was standing on a tire twisting and turning the cylinder head around, scratching the crap out of the block. There's just no room to pull them out easily.

[@kofigagah3436]

I am first time BMW 330i manual transmission owner and need help fixing some problems with my car. 1. Red hot catalytic converters 2. Rpm not going above 3000. 3.cylinder 3 and 4 not working.

[@diegorubio8312]

I have a 2000 e46 323i bmw i replaced expansion tank,thermostat, radiator so I’m figuring it’s the head gaskets i can’t do that my self is it to much to pay for or just sell it ..?

[@Atrometh]

Fix it to where we can donate, I would gladly help, I watch all your vids!

[@50sKid]

Thank you very much. There is a "support this channel" button on the front page of my channel!

[@Atrometh]

Thank you, I have donated and will continue to do so, you're channel is the BEST, you not only give the outcome but the pitfalls as well and this is invaluable.

[@50sKid]

Thank you so much!

[@tuckernitzel1558]

Anyone know if you can swap an m52b25 head onto an m54b30 block?

[@934hifive]

How many miles did you have before the head lifted?

[@JackRR15]

You mention you don't want to put on credit card and use money from the revenue... so to someone who wants to do it DIY. Is it a better idea to not DIY, like it won't be cheaper after all?

[@wallacegardner5090]

on craigslist their a 2003 z4 for1200.00 needs work project car yes, no

[@reggieturner5180]

I love you

[@andriyselezen9513]

how can i donate?

[@50sKid]

There is a donation link on the front of my channel (click my name)!

[@scghost]

please stop doing that "i think this video is too long so i will cut it here" :-(

[@50sKid]

The average person watches for 7 mins!

[@mastersenior7340]

if only you do a V8....