S54 oil pump chain

[Chanman1029]

God dammit lol. I am already 12k into this top end refresh. Have literally replaced everything attached that is replaceable so why not. I have the block in the car but the timing cover and head are off. With the timing cover off, Will there be any access issues changing the chain with the pan attached? If not, I will order them today. Can anyone confirm if IWIS is indeed the OEM supplier?

I would definitely want the peace of mind by just buying genuine. I’m in the same boat as you, except I’m finishing up top end refresh and bottom end rebuild. It sucks, but if you want it done right, EVERY wear component needs to be replaced.

[jet_dogg]

God dammit lol. I am already 12k into this top end refresh. Have literally replaced everything attached that is replaceable so why not. I have the block in the car but the timing cover and head are off. With the timing cover off, Will there be any access issues changing the chain with the pan attached? If not, I will order them today. Can anyone confirm if IWIS is indeed the OEM supplier?

How much longer until it's complete do you estimate? I'd like to see what it does.

I've been thinking of getting a high mileage s54 and semi-building it as a project.

[Tbonem3]

Can anyone confirm if IWIS is indeed the OEM supplier?

It is as I recall, but despite what Bob posted earlier, the prices (maybe they changed recently) aren't far apart. $75 for IWIS and $96 for genuine bmw. #11317830869

[snaponbob]

It is as I recall, but despite what Bob posted earlier, the prices (maybe they changed recently) aren't far apart. $75 for IWIS and $96 for genuine bmw. #11317830869

Not sure where YOU priced these, but " the genuine chain is under $60 at FPC and the IWIS chain is $15" came off of FCP's site. (However, the site is down at the moment.) So, here is the same info from Pelican. https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin...il+Pump+Chain+

[snaponbob]

God dammit lol. I am already 12k into this top end refresh. Have literally replaced everything attached that is replaceable so why not. I have the block in the car but the timing cover and head are off. With the timing cover off, Will there be any access issues changing the chain with the pan attached? If not, I will order them today. Can anyone confirm if IWIS is indeed the OEM supplier?

What in the world are you doing to it ?!?!?!?!?!?!

[thegenius46m]

IWIS is confirmed the supplier for the chains so I'm going IWIS. Plus with the BMW warehouse transfer restrictions in place atm, getting genuine will be a pia if your local BMW NA warehouse does not have it in stock.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/oem-manufacturer-for-timing-chain-e46-s54.235947/

[Tbonem3]

Not sure where YOU priced these, but " the genuine chain is under $60 at FPC and the IWIS chain is $15" came off of FCP's site. (However, the site is down at the moment.) So, here is the same info from Pelican. https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin...il+Pump+Chain+

I see now you were referring to the pump chain, not the timing chain. I saw ppl talking about the timing chain, so that's what I looked up.

[thegenius46m]

How much longer until it's complete do you estimate? I'd like to see what it does.

I've been thinking of getting a high mileage s54 and semi-building it as a project.

Starting reassembly this weekend and going to reinstall the timing cover, clean up the block mating surface, and reinstall the head. Planning to do a new oil pump in the next 5-10k miles for peace of mind but I just want to get the car running right now. Annoyingly, I'm not sure the oil pump chain can be removed without dropping the pan. I think I may be able to undo the oil pump nut and guide it out but not sure. That chain is only $10 so I'm just going to order it anyways as I only have an hour left to order both chains from RM and have them by the weekend. Lol.

[jet_dogg]

Looking forward to it.

[bigjae46]

ugh the head to it. I could imagine oil seeping up there, but not coolant.

Where did you read that?

Part of the head gasket goes on top of the timing cover. For the same reason you replace the oil pan gasket, you potentially compromise the head gasket. Almost every BMW engine until the B series motors are designed like this. The BMW procedures requires replacing the head gasket. If you have a leaky timing cover covered by a BMW warranty, they MUST replace the head gasket. You might be OK just pulling the cover with the head on. Might be worth a shot if the engine is staying in the car.

[snaponbob]

Part of the head gasket goes on top of the timing cover. For the same reason you replace the oil pan gasket, you potentially compromise the head gasket. Almost every BMW engine until the B series motors are designed like this. The BMW procedures requires replacing the head gasket. If you have a leaky timing cover covered by a BMW warranty, they MUST replace the head gasket. You might be OK just pulling the cover with the head on. Might be worth a shot if the engine is staying in the car.

Done it quite a few times with no issues. As far as what BWM does at dealership level, it is a matter of liability as much as anything else. Ask a BMW dealership to replace an engine with one from LKQ, or any other source. They will politely show you the door. Hell, most won't even replace a head, and will tell you they have to replace the engine. It is exactly why specialty shops flourish, and the good ones make a handsome living. That said, it's pretty much true throughout the auto industry. Of course, not many Kia or Suzuki specialists !!!!

As for the front of the S54 head --- mechanically it is completely secured to the block. Nothing will seep forward into the chain cover. The front cover is NOT secured to the head except through the VANOS assembly and two screws held by 89 in/lbs. That small gasket area does nothing except avoid oil escaping forward that is carried up into the area by the cam chain.

[sapote]

That small gasket area does nothing except avoid oil escaping forward that is carried up into the area by the cam chain.

Right, it is to avoid oil leaking out between the head and top of timing cover. So the head gasket has the thin sealant beads to be compressed by the head onto the timing cover to seal. So if the head is attached to the block, and you slide the cover horizontally to the block, through the dowel pin, the timing cover will scrap off and damage the head gasket sealant beads, no other way around this. People doing this way tried to fix the problem by adding sealant to the head gasket and to the top surface of the cover, but during installation, the cover will wipe off the soft sealant and no guarantee there is enough sealant left on the surfaces to seal the oil. It's a risky method compared to install the timing cover first, then the head on it.

[cobra]

Right, it is to avoid oil leaking out between the head and top of timing cover. So the head gasket has the thin sealant beads to be compressed by the head onto the timing cover to seal. So if the head is attached to the block, and you slide the cover horizontally to the block, through the dowel pin, the timing cover will scrap off and damage the head gasket sealant beads, no other way around this. People doing this way tried to fix the problem by adding sealant to the head gasket and to the top surface of the cover, but during installation, the cover will wipe off the soft sealant and no guarantee there is enough sealant left on the surfaces to seal the oil. It's a risky method compared to install the timing cover first, then the head on it.

Due to the short length of the dowels, I found it quite easy to do. You only have to slide it forward a small amount, so by applying a proper low-viscosity sealant to both surfaces it is likely to seal from oil leaks.

Only been about 200 miles but so far so good.

[bigjae46]

Done it quite a few times with no issues. As far as what BWM does at dealership level, it is a matter of liability as much as anything else. Ask a BMW dealership to replace an engine with one from LKQ, or any other source. They will politely show you the door. Hell, most won't even replace a head, and will tell you they have to replace the engine. It is exactly why specialty shops flourish, and the good ones make a handsome living. That said, it's pretty much true throughout the auto industry. Of course, not many Kia or Suzuki specialists !!!!

As for the front of the S54 head --- mechanically it is completely secured to the block. Nothing will seep forward into the chain cover. The front cover is NOT secured to the head except through the VANOS assembly and two screws held by 89 in/lbs. That small gasket area does nothing except avoid oil escaping forward that is carried up into the area by the cam chain.

The passage for the timing chain is built into the head. The reason why BMW specifies replacing the head gasket is to avoid leaks, has nothing to do with liability. Any indy shop that is worth using will do the same thing.

As far as replacing a head, your assumption is wrong. BMW will replace the entire engine because it is more economical. BMW gets a core back and turns it around as a BMW reman unit. Less overall cost because there is a lot less in labor and parts. BMW replaces every small gasket, seal, and bolt when they do things like valve guide seals on N63s. You probably should feel a lot better that BMW does that vs cutting corners.

Some dealers do install LKQ engines at great peril to the customer. LKQ does provide a warranty but it sucks. So good luck if something goes wrong.

[snaponbob]

Some dealers do install LKQ engines at great peril to the customer. LKQ does provide a warranty but it sucks. So good luck if something goes wrong.

I have purchased multiple M54s and two A/T transmissions (for BMWs from LKQ). The boxes are still running strong. One engine was an M54 2.5L that went into an E46 Sport Touring I owned. It was great. I sold the car and a couple year later bought it back for an S54 swap. The 2.5 was sold to a mechanic for a 46 he owned about 4 years ago. It is still going strong. Bought a 3.0 for someone and it's fine after a couple years. A third 2.5 had bad leakdown numbers (I test them when they arrive) and LKQ accepted my input. There was exactly ONE left in the country at the time with similar miles, and it was shipped free from LA to KC and actually delivered it to my house. It tested fine and is happily powering an X Touring for over a year. So far, I have been happy with them. Have there been bad engines? Sure. Do shops test the engines when they get them. Not often, based on conversations I have had. Never "assume" !!