E46 M3 Compression test ** HOW TO GUIDE ** S54 engine Z4M

Its a known fact the e46 M3 suffers with head gasket failure and while I had none of the symptoms it was always at the back of my mind, was mine okay? We find out if after nearly 4 years with the e46 M3 if she's going to need major surgery!
The video I give you guys & girls a full run through on the process to check your own S54 engine

[@pereldh5741]

Been planning to do this on my Z4M, thanx for this clip!

[@stoneautomotive]

Hopefully helps 👍 much easier on the Z4M as there’s so much space in the bay 😎

[@pereldh5741]

Stone Automotive Haha yeah always chocked to see how cramped the E46 bay seems!

[@J555K]

Really like your videos, especially the attention to small details, like showing all the little steps! One thing I would recommend though..a mic might be good as the sound quality when you are talking is not really good and it could make your videos much more enjoyable. Keep them coming!

[@stoneautomotive]

Thanks for the comment & glad your enjoying the videos 😎 Two videos after this is when I upgraded to RODE lav-mic - if you checkout the latest video (S2000 purchase I’m confident/ hope the microphone issues are all sorted - be good to know your thoughts on the latest videos audio 👍)

[@davidharris5849]

Thanks for uploading that, I did my plugs recently and at least now I know its not hard, mine's just gone over 90k too. I ended up fitting original sachs shocks, then lowering it slightly with eibach springs. I personally was happy with that, as I'm not taking it on track, got my s1000rr for that. 'Appreciate it.

[@stoneautomotive]

I’m running the standard Sachs dampers/ eibach spring combo too currently, the Turner motorsport antiroll bars made a big difference just feel as there the original dampers some improvements could be made 🤔 Good man, took a 2016 S1000RR out a few years back, very capable & usable power 👌

[@punchperformances]

Fuse!! Well done!

[@zaintahir9038]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@stoneautomotive]

Your welcome 👍

[@drewzcutz1]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. What was the reason you thought of checking compression? Any codes? Also I have kw v2 coil overs. They ride so good. Also included hotchkis dampers for the front and swapped out the two rear bushings. If you hear a thump it may just be that and not your diff

[@stoneautomotive]

Your welcome & glad you enjoyed 👍 No codes or even symptoms just well known issue with the S54, many years ago before I bought my e46 M3 a friend had one that had a failed head gasket, only reason it was discovered was due to poor numbers on the rolling road but on the actual road felt fine

[@deanwilson4554]

Brilliant videos as always! Real good step by step there. But I’m almost 100% sure that you don’t need to cool down a naturally aspirated engine. There is no process like a turbo car. KW is a good choice I do believe thou.

[@stoneautomotive]

Thanks, enjoyed making this one & glad it had a happy ending 😂 You are correct, certainly not as sensitive as forced induction but I can’t help but feel the last 5 miles home coming out of hooligan mode and letting everything come back down to normal operating temp can only be a good thing. Once the engine has stopped coolant will stop flowing round the cylinder head but you’ll still have red hot exhaust manifolds bolted to it all combined with most of your oil being sat in the sump so pistons & tops of the block will be hot.. I’m not a professional engine builder so I couldn’t say for sure but I’ve done a similar process with all the cars/ bikes over the years.

[@stoneautomotive]

Ps I’m sure everyone one on my road appreciates the process as opposed to pulling into the drive like a gymkhana video 😂

[@deanwilson4554]

Stone Automotive you have a very fair point there my man 👍 neighbours will always find something to moan about anyway😂 looking forward to the next video. Keep up the good work

[@lucrativestance]

Can you do the test wit the motor laying on a motor stand? Say I would want to buy the motor from say someone who removed it from the car.

[@stoneautomotive]

You could if you have the gearbox/ starter motor attached but it will be cold engine temps so not ideal. The best test is the leak down tester which can be done with the engine on the stand.

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Good video this. Quick questions... Is it critical to warm the engine up first? Is there a definitive range of what is good pressure? Yours is around 200psi Watched a reddish video and after the gasket was changed theirs was 155 but on a cold engine

[@stoneautomotive]

I always prefer to complete it on an engine with some temperature in it but ultimately with the e46 M3 it’s consistency your looking for so hot or cold if two cylinders are 100psi and the other 4 155psi you know you have a head gasket problem. All gauges will record different peak psi so 150+ is still a good reading

[@matthewnicholas6365]

@@stoneautomotive I'm dreading it. Car drives fine, but always with M3s, there's a noise I'm not happy with

[@stoneautomotive]

@@matthewnicholas6365 yea it’s not a great feeling especially with the costs if it’s gone! Been lucky with mine, sounds absolutely silent so dread the day i have to take it apart 😅

[@matthewnicholas6365]

@@stoneautomotive thte numbers are in, and to quote southpark "aasand it's gone" 1-4 all low. 5 & 6 vert low

[@stoneautomotive]

@@matthewnicholas6365 ☹️ Spartan Automotive outside fleet gets my vote if your in need of a specialist 👍

[@mart1547]

Like your content, subbed 👍🏻

[@stoneautomotive]

Glad to hear 👍

[@nathanacuna]

Do you really have to remove all the plugs at the same time or is it done one at a time?

[@stoneautomotive]

All plugs out as the high compression with plugs in place you will struggle to build the correct PSI on the cylinder your testing.

[@olliesherman3767]

Bit lower end in price but I’ve got the st xta coilovers fitted on my m3 and they seem great not too stiff so comfort isn’t badly affected

[@stoneautomotive]

Thanks for the input Ollie, i think after reading a few reviews Ohlins is looking like the one to go with + all bushes etc sorted - should be a different car 😎

[@olliesherman3767]

Stone Automotive yeah it’s the only ones I could find for less than a grand that didn’t have hundreds of crap reviews and they come with top mounts

[@IMPULSEz93]

What is the reason for cranking it on full throttle ?

[@stoneautomotive]

@@IMPULSEz93 with the throttle body closed you will struggle to achieve the air volume required to gain an accurate reading with the engine cranking over on the starter motor 👍

[@spenz_2086]

How many miles on your engine at the time of compression test?

[@stoneautomotive]

It had just hit 90,000 miles from memory

[@jlodge333]

What seats are those bro? Look well smart 👍🏻

[@stoneautomotive]

Recaro CS - removed from a Lotus Evora - really are great seats 👍 still tilt forward for rear access

[@jlodge333]

Stone Automotive cool thanks for the response

[@newtypecs700]

👍😆