THE M3 IS GETTING THE ANRI BUILD TREATMENT - Blown headgasket to build thread

[cobra]

M539s latest episode (Project Marseille ep.8) has a good visual/explanation on addressing the silicone gaskets. Leaving a bead vs. using a brush.

Without watching the video, I can see pros/cons to each method.

A bead will not have any air pockets because it will evenly squeeze from the middle out as it is compressed. It's harder to judge quantity and put way too much. It's also critical that the uncoated side is perfectly clean and the parts are assembled quickly so there's not a skinned over surface that doesn't bond to one side. This is how they do it in production manufacturing because they can control all these variables accurately.

Spreading the gasket material on both sides lets you more accurately put the right amount and ensure good coverage, but also can skin over more quickly and can create air pockets.

Personally I've always used the 'dab' method to create lots of peaks and ensure the gasket material is adequately adhered to both sides. It has seemed to work pretty well so far. Equally as important as the method is the stuff you're using. I like using slow cure (1 hour+ of work time) so that I don't need to worry about skinning over and can carefully take my time installing.

[slavik1988]

M539s latest episode (Project Marseille ep.8) has a good visual/explanation on addressing the silicone gaskets. Leaving a bead vs. using a brush.

[cobra]

Sure but does it mean there isn't better solution ? Solution that will
not get into the valve cover when the silicone is pushed inside and
cuts off and floats in the oil...and next time you do rod bearings
you find small tear drop size silicone in your oil pump screen
yummy...seen it all the time and the reason I never use silicone.

Nothing better than compound, well I guess we all have different
methods.

Regards
Anri

The key is to not use too much. If you have big globs of sealant breaking off inside the engine you have used way too much.

Almost all manufacturers use it to seal engines and transmissions these days. It is not uncommon to find all sorts of silicone chunks and metal shavings during a first oil change.

[George Hill]

I am wandering why people still use silicone around the engine ?

What do you suggest?

At the dealership we always used Hylomar, but IDK if they have changed the formula or something but lately it seems to not last as long as it did and starts allowing seepage.

Ultra gray has been my go to and it doesn't leak at all, but the clean up is terrible. *And yes a little goes a long ways, lots of people waaaaay over use it.

[Anri]

It is common practice to use silicone at head seams (vanos) and half moon corners since the gasket doesn't always conform perfectly.

At the water pump, sensors, tubes, etc. it has no place.

Sure but does it mean there isn't better solution ? Solution that will
not get into the valve cover when the silicone is pushed inside and
cuts off and floats in the oil...and next time you do rod bearings
you find small tear drop size silicone in your oil pump screen
yummy...seen it all the time and the reason I never use silicone.

Nothing better than compound, well I guess we all have different
methods.

Regards
Anri

[cobra]

It is common practice to use silicone at head seams (vanos) and half moon corners since the gasket doesn't always conform perfectly.

At the water pump, sensors, tubes, etc. it has no place.

[Anri]

Because it is in the TIS instructions to use Drei Bond 1209 silicone sealant in those areas you have pictured.

Slideways,

Do you make a difference between the Drei Bond and RTV silicone
used in the pic as everybody using ?

[Slideways]

Because it is in the TIS instructions to use Drei Bond 1209 silicone sealant in those areas you have pictured.

[Anri]

Gents,

I am wandering why people still use silicone
around the engine ?

I have seen silicone on water pumps, cams
sensors, water pump tube etc..

In my shop I don't have silicone. I use only
compounds and guarantee no leaks!

Head is on, moving forward.

Regards,
Anri

[Anri]

I can't see the old groove mark by the oil seal on this pic; did you do any polishing or only cleaning? I'm surprised that the oil Teflon seal didn't cause any wear on the meatal sealing surface.

Sapote,

Thanks for your replies.

This is cleaned surface already.

Bellow is how they look like before I clean them up

[George Hill]

With a risk of having people jump into an argument I must say that it's not a problem at all as long as the rocker arm is in a good condition.

I've done it before too, I laid out all my concerns and the customer wanted to roll with it... It is still running but certainly made me nervous.

[sapote]

The crank snout was cleaned as well from the old
grove.

I can't see the old groove mark by the oil seal on this pic; did you do any polishing or only cleaning? I'm surprised that the oil Teflon seal didn't cause any wear on the meatal sealing surface.

[sapote]

What do you do to counteract the potential failure from mixing and matching follower on cam lobes?

I'm learning here.
But I think if the cam lobe and the new used follower are polished then they should be paired safely.

[Anri]

What do you do to counteract the potential failure from mixing and matching follower on cam lobes?

Hill,

With a risk of having people jump into an argument
I must say that it's not a problem at all as long as the
rocker arm is in a good condition. I have done it many
times. On every S54 I rebuild I do polish the rocker arms
before I install them back.


Regards
Anri

[George Hill]

That's the thing - in my ownership I've never had anyone touch the rockers - so what's worse, a shop forgetting to replace them? or shops not catching they were missing in the past 5 years of my ownership? 🤦♂️

They are in the very back of the head, while I agree it SEEMS like this should have been caught I think its unreasonable to expect a shop to do so without being in the affected area and a valve adjustment isn't "being in the area" IMO.

One of the rocker arm has odd damage and was replaced with a good one I have in stock.

What do you do to counteract the potential failure from mixing and matching follower on cam lobes?