BMW M3 (S54): Head Gasket & Top Engine Refresh

This 2004 BMW E46 M3 (105k) came into ‪@RedishMotorsportbmw‬ for its 'Inspection 2 Service' but we found the Compression Test results showed the engine was down on power with a split Head Gasket.
The owner was wise enough to know the risks involved with continuing to drive with this issue, so instructed us to carry out the Head Gasket replacement whilst the M3 was with us.
As well as the Head Gasket replacement work, this Cylinder Head also needed specialist machine-shop work including:
Chemical Cleaning
Straightness Check
Pressure Test
Resurface (skim)
(Some Cylinder Heads also need further work like Valve Stem Oil Seals, Valves, Valve Seat Cutting/Lapping, Valve Springs etc).
See our S54 Head Gasket page for prices:
www.redish-moto...
Although not shown in this video, we obviously carried out the Valve Clearance procedure and on this engine, 15 new BMW Valve Shims were replaced to bring the engine into spec:
(Inlet: 0.18mm - 0.23mm).
(Exhaust: 0.28mm - 0.33mm).
We carried out a Vanos Test using BMW ISTA Software to check the Vanos System was timed and within spec.
We carried out a final Compression Test to check the new compression being made was equal and within spec.
The Engine Oil was replaced with new Castrol Edge Supercar 10w60 M-Power.
The Antifreeze was replaced with new Castrol Radicool Antifreeze.
Once static heat cycling had been carried out we finished up on our standard 12-mile road testing route.
Finally, we handed over the M3 with 4x printed reports for the owner's records:
Compression Test Report (before)
Compression Test Report (after)
Cylinder Head Bolt Torque order
Valve Clearance Report
We've been carrying out S54 Head Gasket replacements regularly since 2012 and always complete a comprehensive 'top-end refresh' at the same time.
As well as the required Head Gasket and Head Bolts, we use a myriad of new Seals, Gaskets, O-rings, and other items to ensure that any component which transfers Oil/Air/Water is resealed.
This approach gives the top end of the engine far more longevity than just a quick Head Gasket change that some offer.
Naturally, we're able to (and often do) upgrade components 'whilst in there' but this all depends on the owner's plans and budgets available.
Some of the common upgrade parts we offer are:
Beisan Systems Vanos Overhaul parts
Schrick DLC Followers
Schrick Camshafts
Supertech Springs
We're also able to offer complete engine overhauls and refreshes including Engine Block resurfacing, (oversize boring if required), Honing, Pistons, Piston Rings, (Crankshaft grinding if required), Crankshaft Balancing/Polishing, Main Bearings, Conrod Bearings, Oil Pump Rebuilds, etc.
Further info on our Engine Refresh procedure here:
www.redish-moto...
(Upon editing this video we are aware that during the 'new parts laid out' at 5:42 to 8:34 the Headgasket is positioned in reverse order).
Thanks for watching and we hope you enjoyed seeing our S54 Head Gasket procedure.
Please LIKE, SHARE, & SUBSCRIBE.
Don't forget to hit the BELL icon to be notified of our Sunday video releases.
www.redish-motorsport.com
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[@sohailjaned]

The best in the business for M cars

[@UGAexploder]

You guys should have every e46 m3 owner sub'd to this channel. Your comprehensive and professional nature is head and shoulders above all. 10ft tall

[@carlmcrobcustomgoldsmith11]

Client is lucky to have access to competent fastidious shop to care for their loved one. Few shops like this available. Whatever it costs is worth it for peace of mind.

[@ben94cobra]

I did this same job myself in my garage and I elected to do a few more things than this video, it all comes down to budget, but I replaced every electrical component and every fastener I came across. Nothing was retained except the shortblock and some mounting brackets. It's truly very easy to replace everything when the head comes off these things.

[@kylefleming1412]

So happy you guys are back. Still blown away you guys only have 17k subscribers. Your videos are so well done and absolutely fascinating to watch. With as many BMW people (I’m and Audi guy) that are out there, I’m shocked they are not all subscribed. Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@DS-om3pt]

James and his team are the best!!

[@nickrendell4300]

Such a professional company, like your amazing attention to detail on your engine tear downs and rebuilds. Great detail on your videos. Amazing work guys.👍🤟✊

[@chrisg4rr377]

My 04 is on 105k now. I did a compression check when doing plugs during lockdown and it was all fine. Glad because i really haven't got the time to rebuild the head and mainly can't be bothered haha

[@kylefleming1412]

One more thing. I wish you guys were on the other side of the pond and worked on Audis. Finding someone who goes to the level of perfection you guys do is so hard to find. I’m so particular about my car. It’s refreshing to see someone who puts the car back together exactly how it should be by using all the right parts, replacing broken clips, torquing everything to spec, etc. For anyone who really cares about their cars, that level of detail is priceless.

[@logoman6718]

www.youtube.com/@VAGTechnic

[@BestMotorWerks]

Great detailed video

[@tocsa120ls]

Nice work on that beautiful phoenix yellow M3.

[@idksil]

Brilliant 👏👏👏 Thank you for spreading the knowledge

[@UNKN0WNED69]

I would love to learn how to do the technical stuff so not only I can fix my M3 myself but help other people fix their M3s in the US cause idk of any shop that is as professional as you all 👌

[@normandavies8317]

Fantastic attention to detail. You guys are the business!

[@obg6446]

Great work guys defiantly where ill get my rod bearings done

[@mohammadbenattia9102]

great content, professionally illustrated,... all the best

[@jonathanfuentes2370]

Amazing work, I wish you guys were located in California :(

[@darrenboston342]

Great work James as usual…. Love your videos buddy, keep up the amazing work👍

[@sleeker165]

Very interesting watch - great workmanship !

[@ChrisKsan]

I hit the Like button before I could skip the ads.

[@robvermeulen4043]

Great video as usual.

[@KissMotorWorks]

Nice job as always.

[@fiatlux4265]

Have you guys considered using a Vulcan cut ring gasket instead of OE or MLS? Rebuilt my S54 with one purchased off VAC.. the cut rings bite into the cyl head when clamped back down onto the block without any special machining (such as the min RA finish required for MLS or say O-ringing) to provide a seal imo much more reliable than either OE or MLS. The remaining organic gasket material is superior for sealing off the surrounding water jackets to prevent contamination of oil and coolant. Also, the upper timing chain guide has been improved by Beisan Systems from the original design using Nylatron NSM material capable of less friction and wear than virgin Nylon used in the OE guide. It's also cut from a solid sheet of material rather than molded, creating a much more formidable infrastructure. Not sure if you'd want to provide this as an upgraded option imo superior to the OE design. More here: nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/636-beisan-s54-exhaust-upper-chain-guide-solution

[@jamest5149]

Good old West Country ‘vollves’ 😂

[@kenxiong6830]

You can always count on the Germans to make things more complicated than necessary. Let’s make it E for intake and A for exhaust

[@antanasrapkevicius3897]

feel sorry for the new owner of this car lmao. Iv seen it for sale on the autotrader nearly 2 months ago when i was shopping and now its gone, so must have been sold on. Good job on the car tho, impressed with the attention to detail, nearly as good as my own repairs :) Not many techies these days can be bothered like this, especially in the dealership where they cant afford 3 days of labour for the head gasket.. i might even send you my own CV so i can get a job with you guys for a week to get a staff rate for the rear sub reinforcement on my new M3 toy lol

[@rallispeed1864]

Why would you feel sorry for the new owner

[@antanasrapkevicius3897]

@@rallispeed1864 Unless he bought it knowing the head gasket issue that is very unlikely in this case, he's been bummed. As i said this car was advertised as pristine condition not the one that has an engine defect. That's why i feel sorry for him. Its nothing to do with your repairs or procedures as i am impressed with all that.

[@rallispeed1864]

@@antanasrapkevicius3897 arghhh I get you dude. I didn't pay attention to the upload date on the video. Yeah thats shitty. But never knownthe gasket maybe have been hanging on for dear life. New owner bought it and possibly kicked its head in.

[@haydenmarks2895]

I'm the owner of the car and have been for just over a year. The one you seen must have been different as mine certainly isn't mint haha. She was cheap in the first place so I don't begrudge the cost of the repair. The plan is to turn her into a ring tool and tour across Europe visiting the ring and spa whilst also visiting some friends in Germany. Would be sacrilege to do that to a minter but I don't have that worry with this example.

[@antanasrapkevicius3897]

@@haydenmarks2895 oh that's alright then. the one iv seen must have been very similar, i can swear even number plates had least the start digits (SA04) the same. Have fun with the rings in DE, i bet Nürburgring awaits you lol

[@mikeymagic117]

Great vid.

[@tomthompson7400]

Nice work , what sort of money is involved by the time its all done and dusted?

[@bez2944]

My 2004 M3 with 75k miles had all of this done, rod bearings and vanos rebuilt with new intake hub. Since then, it runs great, but sometimes hesitates on startup. i turn key back off and allways starts perfectly the second time i turn the key. This happens more often when the car is warmed up. I changed the battery and starter. Nothing changed. We suspect fuel rail pressure and changed fuel pump relay. Still nothing changed. What are your thoughts?

[@thegenius46m]

What did you use to clean the pistons and top of the block mating surface?

[@MrRabbitHD]

How much did that job cost might be coming your way

[@frontspring1]

Those are easy,beisan makes upgraded timing guide and upgraded bolts.

[@gtcreels532]

Wow how much does a service like this cost

[@RK-ed1em]

Great job! Is it necessary to replace the valve stem seals when the cylinder head is hot tanked? Also, any need for a valve job?

[@LSmiata]

Same Question....why not do the valve stem seals? Especially with head in hand and all the caustic cleaners used to clean the head.

[@ziaulislam6459]

Hi guys after watching some of ur amazing videos, I was just wondering I have got a E46 2004 saloon, it needs a full sort of refurb, the engine oil is constantly leaking, vibration whilst breaking, bit of rusting r apearing aswell, also this is a big one the automatic gearbox goes on limp mode time to time lol SO it needs a proper full service like no ones business lol!!!!

[@user-ot7jd9dt7t]

Yeah unless you're willing to keep the car forever id just break it, it would be an insurance write because if taking it to these professionals it's going to be atleast 10k fella 😂

[@m3nine11]

What is the rough cost of this work and does it come with a warranty? If so how long? Cheers

[@antanasrapkevicius3897]

Head gasket flat rate on these cars is 14-15 hours, most garages charge labour according to these flat rates. So assuming they charge £60/hour that's £900 labour plus the parts. They used genuine BMW parts, so in the UK those parts are covered by 2 years manufacturer warranty and I think by law they issued 12 months repair warranty anyways. So pretty safe bet. The only thing they didn't do was the valve stem seals, but I bet the customer was offered this option, more likely he just refused it due to the extra costs. As it sure is a bit painful when you just bought a "mint" car for 16 grand as it was advertised and next thing you know you are up for another 2k investment in it..

[@cbrrob1670]

I'm sure on the website it's about £1500

[@brianward9593]

hi Excellent video but can you answer a technical question? I have a BMW TD6 engine in my Range Rover L322 and I am in the process of changing the head gasket, my question is how do you calculate the thickness of the gasket after having the head skimmed?

[@AliasHSW]

In the video you mentions the head gasket kit is a “complete “package” to rebuild the top end. What is the part number of the package?

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Did you clean and skim the head with all the valve year in situ, or did you rebuild it before showing the finished skim?

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Ffs, I should have watched for 30 seconds more

[@idokwatcher2062]

Is there a tool for installing and timing the helix gears? Turner Motorsport used to sell an aftermarket one but it's been discontinued, so now people don't know how to install Shrick cams which come without helix gears and they must be transfered from the factory camshafts.

[@ash20500]

What causes the head gasket to fail on these?

[@rickjames7847]

Were is your shop I want to take

[@MrBobmac10]

Why did you not remove the valves and springs before sending the head away for skimming?

[@chrisclarkson4844]

Good work but what are volves? Oh you mean valves!

[@najibalbaghdadi]

Hi. Why don't you use the oem head gasket?

[@jamest5149]

That ‘chip’ isn’t from skimming the head, these are tiny... it’s from something else... it looks more like steel?

[@Marksummerman]

Did you guys go out of business?

[@gregrsvr3947]

“Volves “ wtf are volves ?

[@pistonpoweruk]

Bristol accent

[@gridingriingr710]

Anyone want to be my Boyfriend 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️