BMW e46 M54 oil burning FIX rings comparison with M52tu ,different design ,why ?

In this video I demonstrate the differance between M54 and M52TU oil rings.BMW changed design of rings in M54 going from three pieces to two pieces.New design is not doing it's job properly because they are wearing quick!!! allowing oil to pass to the combustion chamber.
If your BMW M54 burning oil ,here's why.
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[@mikemoyer9509]

Your totally right, my m52tub28 didn't use a drop of oil at 300k miles, now my m54b30 uses oil at 185,000 miles

[@Radovan38740]

M54 is real 2 stroke engine :D I had m54b30 and it was heavy oil drinker...1L per 1000km no problem

[@rankosimrakovic688]

Thanks a lot for video! As I said I do own m54,you mentioned agresive ride but I believe that this 54s would burn oil without being rided agresive. At only 70-75 thousands will start burn oil no matter how you ride.

[@atnstn]

Own a 523I 1999 with the M52TU for 11 years now. Never had any oil burned in part because I keep PCV CCV in check, but mainly because I use MOTUL 5W40 X-Clean Best oil on the market.

[@JT-tp7on]

M54 is the issue

[@atnstn]

@@JT-tp7on Absolutely, I'm sorry for interjecting. It's basically same block, but different piston rings that is the issue. I appreciate your informative video. Very enlightning.

[@JT-tp7on]

@@atnstn So do you think replacing my ccv will do anything? As long as it keeps me from spending more fuel and having fluctuating rpms I don't mind running a better quality oil so it doesn't burn it

[@atnstn]

@@JT-tp7on Replace the CCV as soon as humanly possible! It is a vital component for the engine and of exceptional importance. Motul XClean 5W40 is great oil - I am very happy with it.

[@migelprager1097]

Thank you for the vid! This is probably another cost reduction measurement implemented by BMW, so the cars can just reach the end of the warranty period without a recall... disgusting. Cost reduction is a long term pandemic in automotive industry!

[@checkbmw]

thank, for video, i got many BMW and always got problem with oil burn in m54, and in m52 was ok. now I know what is the problem, thank you.

[@الحياةثقافة-خ5د]

According to my experience, new engines are manufactured with light materials to reduce fuel consumption and cheap materials to keep pace with the market so that they are not expensive, and piston rings are less pressured on old engines so that there is no pressure on the engine, fuel is saved, and engine power increases because piston rings are light

This video is EXTREMELY useful, thank you very much, you deserve more views, good luck! =]

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

thanks,finaly someone found the reason after so many years

[@stealthtuning-znmfa6122]

Great video thank you i am rebuilding my m52tu from my e39 525i al the way from south africa kzn

[@stealthtuning-znmfa6122]

I need some advice on my 525i e39 i recently fitted a engine in from a e46 330i .. the engine was a m52tu i use it for a 4 months an it blew the gasket.. i stripped the engine down and found it badly scored in the centre and the bore was worn.. i have the old sub asblemby which i bought the car with.. and the bore seems fine.. my question is. ( can i use the pistons from the m52tu in the original block for this car?) An is there any difference with m52tu cylinder head and m54..

[@rankosimrakovic688]

You make a sense. I do own BMW e46/325I. Burns oil like fuel. I replaced cvv no help. I replaced valve steam seals but I did not put cylinder together. After I watched your video rings are real problem or all problem of oil burnings. Thanks for video. Hvala. spasibo.

[@rankosimrakovic688]

I would blame ring factory and also car factory couse they allowed to put low quality rings on pistons.

[@rankosimrakovic688]

I would agree with you. BMW get done that with reason. To make BMW owners to go to the his BMW specialist. Worst think BMW ever made. Most idiotic think.

[@rankosimrakovic688]

That could dicrised BMW sales seriosly .

[@Steff320i]

lol to the spider crossing the camera at 2:01

[@mcycleserv]

the 3 piece oil control ring the top and bottom rings only go one way ...when I was at Honda the Japanese engineers came to do a service school and showed us which way the rings go ...seems there is a slight curvature in them and if put pressure on the ring between thumb and second finger you will notice the ring will only bend one way and that is to scrape oil back into the centre cord so these will scrape on the way up and scrape on the way down

[@витекрыбин]

The rings on the BMW M54 engine very quickly begin to miss the oil (bad for the oil to drain to the bottom ring) and any small motor over temperature disables the compression rings.Thermostat М54-97 degrees.On the motor M52 - 92 or 88.The oil gets contaminated faster on М54

[@KostadinDelizhanski]

posted link to your clip to bulgaria BMW Club forum ... hope it helps e46 owners great content, thumbs up for me ... BMW are to blame ... they spec the parts for the engine - desing, matterial ... 3rd producers just make the part for them to their specification

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

Thank You!!

[@jameslatimer1432]

Designed to cost money plus width is much thinner witch makes them wear out quick cool vid

[@algoshen7741]

Now you indicated we can use the M52tu oil piston rings in our M54 blocks.. you didn't state whether we need to change pistons too in using the ones from the other model indicated in your video here? i get what you are saying just not that aspect fully... thank you hope i haven't confused you giving me insight into this issue...it is good to know this info...i appreciate the knowledge shared on the subject..of burning oil....

[@jameslatimer1432]

Can you fit updated and uprated compression rings !!!

[@mustafatan7898]

Thanks for video. Benim bir m52 tu motora sahibim simdi daha mutlu oldum😊

[@sydneysouthmechanicl436]

Thank you for the video, it is very informative. Can I ask you a question? Except the oil ring was very worn, had you checked the compression ring as well? Was the compression ring worn too? Thank you

yes comp. rings also but not like oil rings

[@sydneysouthmechanicl436]

Thanks mate. The reason on behind this question is, the most accepted opinion of worn ring caused burning oil is that oil stays on cylinder wall and burns in power cycle. But I am a bit sceptical on that, I am thinking is it because of the heavy blowby gas brings oil through PCV into the combustion chamber and oil burns?

[@rankosimrakovic688]

According to your video my next dig in Engine would be engine piston rings/engine block.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

many people after my videos confirmed my find

[@tarekmareh4097]

Hi... My engine start burning oil after catalyst removed.. blue smoke and oil lose if I put the catalyst again will that fix the problem thanks mate

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

tarek mareh cat is filtering the smoke when on,but got nothing to do with oil burning,what engine is it?

[@tarekmareh4097]

+Elbow Grease its e39 525i 2002 with 360km any ideas I hate that blue smoke ... and I add 1 litre every 500km

[@tarekmareh4097]

+Elbow Grease its 260km by the way and smoke come suddenly after catalyst removed I changed the ccv nothing happen is it piston rings for sure I you please watch my video you will see that smoke thank you so much

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

most likely rings but could be valve stem seals also,Is it puffing blue on idle as well?

[@tarekmareh4097]

+Elbow Grease no only when I push hard on it ... morning start up no smoke at all thanks brother for your replay

[@rikardokwiatkowski7998]

So with engine is better m52 or m54?

[@KONON1234]

Siema Darus te pierscienie sa z m52 TU b25 i podejda do m54b30

[@andrewyear81]

Your link unfortunately links to spam now. Through the link and if I manually input it.

[@gvs1173]

What grit stone do you hone the cylinder walls with prior to installing the new piston rings? Thanks

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

G VS uuuu that was one year ago but from what I remember guy in machine shop told me ti use fine stone and that what I bought but what grade can't tell you

[@cheeseong3089]

Hello sir , then do the M52 piston ring fit for the M54 piston?

[@MrDamianDXi]

Tak, z tego co wiem i mechanicy mi mówili to pasują. Przy remoncie silnika trzeba kupić dwa komplety pierścieni M52 i M54, ale do silnika pierścienie olejowe włożyć od M52TÜB28. Wtedy temat zamknięty.

[@MrMishka212]

so which Bmw engine burns less than M54

[@rodolfomiller24]

Where could I find specs for rebuilding the m54b25 motor?

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

Audreona Shimmel I found them on new bearings and piston rings packaging

[@csupakabra4]

The "why" was answered many times before. Fuel economy.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

but not oil economy LOL

[@just1lifexx11]

if they have that much grap wont all engine in the world.. have low compression?

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

this is oil ring It got nothing to do with conpression,just for scraping oil,this is the problem good compression but oil is burned.

[@kapalselam8777]

Elbow Grease some of them dont no and understood what you talking about,not all of cars owner are an automobile engineer

[@robertoruiz7069]

Hi i can see you need help.1st you need to measure the second backing spring on the m54 ring,which you didn't .With that you would get the 3.00 mm.So 1.70 * the spring 1.30 = the 3.00 mm 2 the oil return holes on m54 appear to only amount to 1/10th, of the oil return area on the m52tu oil rings.That appears to me to be a miscalculated design flaw,they should have caught that during testing.myself i prefer the 3 piece oil rings.your hone job is not the best,it was done manually as i can tell by the pattern. also the ridge at the top is far beyond the wear limits,i can tell just by looking.you should borrow a cylinder micrometer or buy one on eBay they are cheap 40 to 60 dollars US.i put rings on my Honda civic d15b7 motor it has 515,000 with no cly bore, original pitons stock 3 peace rings and it burns 0 oil in 4000 miles.At least you are trying to learn.good luck,and you should try the 3 piece rings of they fit in the grove.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

roberto ruiz thanks Imv fine, this is old viedo, did one rebuild, now doing another and same thing, oil rings is the issue

[@Raptorman5174]

Increased vacuum pressure seals the rings better and keep the engine from burning oil? In my case and OIl Catch Can in place of the stock CCV with the PCV valve in line seemed to have worked real well for me, my 330 does not burn a drop. Check out my thread on ZHP mafi www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?13822-Radium-Catch-Can-Installed

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

I know this trick but for me was not good enough i wanted to know why?

[@kapalselam8777]

Nick Torres the bmw ccv design is actually good new idea but its a trial engineering design,they revised is for mm54b30,but my prespective is they can make it better,human being will make a mistake first,its a nature .....LEARN FROM MISTAKE.....

[@bryanhinds8522]

Did it to save money/less parts, just as bad lining up the rings. Sounds like a bmw engineering mess up.

[@steveallam]

BMW problem for choosing the wrong rings. Bad heat control

[@ChipLogicRO]

am i the only one who noticed the spider @2.02 ?

[@TimmieTennis]

Great video, must see for all E46 owners. IMO, BMW is at fault- bad ring design. I suspected bad rings after 50K miles, started losing oil, even though I changed oil every 5K with full synthetic. These rings wear fast. It's a pity a $40K car had this bad engineering under the hood. Other issues too, E46 oil leaks all over the place, and engine bay looks like a rats nest with hoses running all over the place-- compare it to a Toyota or VW engine bay. My first and last BMW.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

I spent few K on this car and process of finding solution of this problem. I hope people will appreciate my work and share this and other videos to let other users know what big companies doing!

[@komentatorius69]

it leaks if u think the engine will run forever with no maintainance. i have 280k engine, no oil leaks nowhere.

[@MrStephen777]

BMW are to balme.

[@mikeclaytor1739]

The natzis idid it on purpose ,can you really blame them?

[@bavbim760il]

You talk too slow sir. Its boring

[@slam44]

Thanks for explaining why! I have both engines and same results. Another reason the M52TU is king.

[@jameslatimer1432]

1.8 cvh Ford was originally a 1.6 but I converted it to make it a 1.8 in the Sierra and other fords this engine has same problems drink oil like it was going out of fashion,!! £££$$$€€ for fords

[@soundseeker63]

Wow!! The difference between the two ring types is stark! Did I hear correctly when you say you can use M52 rings as replacement in M54 engine? That sounds like a great solution! (if it is true) many people blame the CCV system for high oil consumption and replace it and still have the problem. They need to see this video! I have been thinking of replacing my trusty old 528i with a newer shape 530i but on seeing this I think I'll stick with my 528!....not needed an oil top up in over 5000 miles! :-D Though I might put the M54 intake manifold on it though to free up a few more (much needed) ponies.

[@johnnystock7294]

Checking up. Can you?

[@soundseeker63]

@@johnnystock7294 You can use the oil control rings yes, and the second compression ring, but not the top ring. But just changing the oil ring fixes the M54 oil consumption issue.

[@Salty_Legionnaire]

@@soundseeker63 Where did you buy the separate M52TU oil rings? Or must we buy 2 different sets?

[@ekremselamet546]

BMW work on the tightest geometrical tolerances in the industry, this is how they achieve such performance from their engines however with performance there is allways going to be trade offs with wear and reliability so wear on rings I think it’s normal

[@keaaul808]

So, why even bother with ring gaps? Total Seal Gapless Rings. Been using them for decades and there’re other similar brands but I don’t know why the industry doesn’t advocate gapless rings! Should be a no-brainer than deal with excessive blow-by. Check out gapless piston rings.

[@ducks4039]

Knock on wood, but my m54 has 297 on the clock and doesn’t burn oil. Though it does lose some because of a leaky VANOS line

[@anthonysam8340]

Spider!!!! Ahhhh at 2:02-2:05.....

[@KonradMmm]

Can i replace m54b25 set pistons/rods with m52b25 set pistons/rods. Both have same displacment and piston stroke.

[@50sKid]

How do you know that the M52TU doesn't consume oil just the same as the M54? I read through your 34+ page thread and saw countless accounts from people that they have the oil consumption problem but no one ever said they didn't. How do you know the used engine you bought didn't consume oil as well?

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

I've worked on 3 of m52tu and non of them show any sings of burning where rest of M54 I saw was.Two of my friends sold the car cuz of that.In next video I will show how to check it.

[@JeSuisBacon]

I know there are SOME M52tu's that burn, but in comparison to the M54 it's much less. I have a question though +Elbow Grease. In the bit where you compare the piston rings from the M54 vs the M52, why is the gap from the M54 set larger than the M52? If they were wearing, wouldn't the reduction just be in the thickness of the ring itself (which you showed). Not calling you out, just want an explanation of how it's wearing, since I can't quite get my head around it.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

if ring is wearing out It creating bigger gap simlpe cuz its loosing material from outer side,if that what yoy asking?Any piston ring wear will occur the same way unless you have gapless rings(please research)

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

New rings have a gap around 0.2mm ,this one lost over 40% of it material creating around 2.5mm gap.

[@50sKid]

You know I wonder if your amount of wear was unique. The other guy who did the M54 Project series of posts on E46Fanatics reported the gap on his rings to be about 1.0mm (the OEM specs say the maximum gap is 0.45mm). Soon we will know what mine is.

[@likits1999]

Hittler said, the damn BMW engineers are at fault!

[@junesmotorworx]

M54 rings are actually improved design then m52 ring. But the issue comes from the typical drivers, which who always fill up the gas tank with regular gas. Not high octane. Plus, they has oil change interval like 10,000km. After 100,000km, every guide seals are fxxked up, engine burns oil, carbon deposits are building up, clogging all the holes on oil ring, consumes even more oil, bla bla.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I have a 2.5 liter M54 with 188,000 miles on it and it doesn't burn any oil...

[@rainaj5706]

Thanks for the video and very details information. Something that need to remember that on M54 spring sits behind the ring but on M52 spring stays between 2 rings. What does it means, on M52 rings are sealing from inside of the ring also from the top and the bottom of the groove, on the other hand, M54 only seal from the side of the groove which is 30 to 40 percent less than M52. M52 rings flush by the end of the groove but M54 sits on spring. There are advantages and disadvantages on both! How does this help the life of the engine? It causes more oil to pass trough and does more lubrication. On racing engine they do this for higher lubricant level to pass through the ring. Defiantly M54 has more oil consume in price of longer life of the other 2 other rings and the wall of the cylinder. Recently I remove the head of my engine and very much surprised that the honing lines was still remaining on the cylinder walls even after 200k Miles!!! About the high oil consuming I was be able to contact the Liqui-Moly of Germany about the issue. They recommended to use the the Oil Saver p/n: 2020 (which you do it one time and it is good for +30K miles and high Tech 5-40 p/n: 2332. Result was unbelievable. Before every 1000 miles had to add 1 liter ( which is okay! My 1974 BMW 2002 does the same on brand new engine) but after, I drove 1500 miles without any oil usage. What I would like to say is: not always higher oil usage is a negative sign! Anyway on perfect engine recommended to use the piston and valve cleaner every 3000 to 5000 miles. Any E46 owner is recommended to do the cleaning as well! Let engine to last longer, work smother and safer for higher load and power!

[@danl4222]

Great video. 160K on my M54 , and while (amazingly) I'm not using oil .. 1 and 3 are very low on compression. I hope to leave engine in place Then hone and replace rings. 1.) do I need to hone at all or can I just replace rings? ? Engine has been treated well valve are fine.

[@Adrian_The_Great]

Hi man! In most parts of europe, at least here in Spain all M52TU come with alusil coating instead of steel liners. Can you still use this rings in steel liners if that is the case?

[@joefowler9600]

So if the rings are at fault on the m54, then every m54 must burn oil. I here people claim there m54 doesn't consume any oil? Some seem to be worse than others, why is this?

[@mauriciohormazabal]

Thanks for the video. Great information. My engine is knocking, like lifter noise, but lifters were replaced some time ago. Do you think worn rings can produce piston slap in this engine? My engine was overheated and cylinder head was replaced...i'm starting to think cylinder bores are out of roundness.

[@algoshen7741]

i think it's a combination of both parties..within the design and production of the engines for M54 E53 BMW X5 3.0i sport activity vehicles...

[@cruzinezy1968]

What kind of dungeon complete with spiders was this fimed in?

[@jonathandelgado9771]

so your saying i can use m52 piston rings on m54b25?

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

M52TU

[@imadude85]

can i use piston rings of m52tub20 into m54b22? the piston diameter is different than the b25.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

don't know sorry

[@ramazkutateladze538]

Only B22 has a different piston size from the 6 cylinder family..

[@4539716]

may i know the part number of the piston rings that you are using?

[@Luminaring]

STOP the SMOKE...pass the test...Add extra vacuum hose from 1/4 inch plugged vacuum port on back of manifold to 3/16 plugged vacuum port on top side of round CCV oil separator... $4 of new hose... I passed CA smog...no oil smell in exhaust!!... ya like 20-30 minutes work...but that valve cover is now seeing more vacuum...(more vacuum on the crankcase and rings is known by racers to improve ring sealing and hp)

[@znoop72]

What about the M52 compared to M52TU?

[@abelucious]

I have a 1999 E46 323i with 298500 km (185000 miles ) on it, synthetic mobile 1 0w40 has been changed every 5000 km since car was new, my car does not burn any oil between changes and I redline it on regular basis, I mean nothing, not even a drop is missing and I also drive it in Canadian winters, when people say BMW is unreliable I quietly laugh in my head. The M52TU in my car is supposed to be good for 300,000 miles ( around 500,000 km ) if serviced properly,

abelucious but M54 have different ring and if you follow long oil changes you might have a problem

[@baljinder299]

5000 KM FOR OIL CHANGE IS TOO EARLY, THATS WHAT I DO IN SINGLE MONTH ON MY 323I , CURRENTTLY I HAD 260K KM WITH EVERY 25K KM OIL CHANGES

[@yoshi1u2]

would you suggest boaring out cylinders and installing new thinner gap oil rings help reduce the consumption? thanks.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

No,if cylinders are ok.But if you have marks on them, then you need to address that first

[@yoshi1u2]

Elbow Grease So i would be able to replace rings and pistons and if cylinders are good i dont need to pull engine block out for a boar and sleeve.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

this is tricky cuz you need to hone the cylinders as good practice. before new rings to seat properly.To hone the bolck you need to remove crank and oil squirters and later wash cyl. If you will be able to do that without removing and squeeze honing tool into the block at an angle............. KZbinr 50'sKID already asked me about it. I DON'T recommend.Pulling engine out You can do other stuff too.

[@yoshi1u2]

thanks i replaced heads and intake manifolds on these bmw's before. even did ccv delete and other mods for oil and i still consume with no leak so this could be a good fix. love your videos and thanks for help.

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

No problem,any time.

[@danielfulop]

meaning 328i > 325i?

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

Engine code is not chassis code

[@danielfulop]

@@ElbowgreaseDIY 328i is M52, 325i is M54 engine

[@ElbowgreaseDIY]

@@danielfulop 328 is 328 , 325 is 325 it means nothing espacially today . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54