Engine Loud Ticking Noise - Need Advice

[bigjae46]

I live just outside of Kansas City now. I know Chicane Motorsports is close, but haven't reached out to see if they are able to tackle this job. Are there any other shops in KC I should consider?

I was about to recommend Chicane. Long member including the previous M3forum iteration.

[duracellttu]

Update: After several exchanges back and forth, Lang is not going to honor any sort of warranty for part or labor. He is claiming that because aftermarket parts were installed, regardless of mileage, that no warranty applies. This is after reiterating that he was the only person to work on the head. Since I am no longer local and he can inspect it himself that he can't verify this the failure was a result of workmanship and not a failed part. Should have seen this coming. I'm beyond furious and at a loss on what to do from here.

[Ryan_R]

Unfortunately I’m not surprised to hear that after some of the stories I’ve seen about him on here. I had a couple conversations with Andrew and he seemed like he had no interest in my business even though I was getting ready to drop close to 10k to do a full rebuild.
If you need parts just to get running again I have a full set of stock rocker arms, valve springs and retainers sitting around.
Sorry to hear about this mess. Hope you get up and running again.

[Jimbo's M]

Update: After several exchanges back and forth, Lang is not going to honor any sort of warranty for part or labor. I'm beyond furious and at a loss on what to do from here.

I would at least seek legal counsel. May not tell you what you want to hear, but you'll know where you stand legally. Not sure, but this may apply as well.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

[bigjae46]

Update: After several exchanges back and forth, Lang is not going to honor any sort of warranty for part or labor. He is claiming that because aftermarket parts were installed, regardless of mileage, that no warranty applies. This is after reiterating that he was the only person to work on the head. Since I am no longer local and he can inspect it himself that he can't verify this the failure was a result of workmanship and not a failed part. Should have seen this coming. I'm beyond furious and at a loss on what to do from here.

Lang is not giving me the warm and fuzzy. I see them as the west coast VAC.

[Chanman1029]

Update: After several exchanges back and forth, Lang is not going to honor any sort of warranty for part or labor. He is claiming that because aftermarket parts were installed, regardless of mileage, that no warranty applies. This is after reiterating that he was the only person to work on the head. Since I am no longer local and he can inspect it himself that he can't verify this the failure was a result of workmanship and not a failed part. Should have seen this coming. I'm beyond furious and at a loss on what to do from here.

Im really sorry to hear this, but I am definitely not surprised, Andrew is a shoddy, half as* mechanic, and will do anything possible to refuse a warranty, you should 10000% have a local shop do the repairs, then take him to small claims court. If you need a place to stay, I’m stationed on San Diego and your welcome to sleep on my couch for a few nights so you can sort that out with the courts. Andrew needs to be taught a lesson, legally….

[Chanman1029]

Unfortunately I’m not surprised to hear that after some of the stories I’ve seen about him on here. I had a couple conversations with Andrew and he seemed like he had no interest in my business even though I was getting ready to drop close to 10k to do a full rebuild.
If you need parts just to get running again I have a full set of stock rocker arms, valve springs and retainers sitting around.
Sorry to hear about this mess. Hope you get up and running again.

I had the same kind of feeling when I brought my engine to him. He just seemed annoyed to even be discussing engine options with me, what a terrible guy. He use to be so revered on these forums for the great work and service he provided, I have no idea WTF happened, but lang is trash and everyone needs to spread the word to prevent people from becoming his next victim

[bigjae46]

He use to be so revered on these forums for the great work and service he provided, I have no idea WTF happened, but lang is trash and everyone needs to spread the word to prevent people from becoming his next victim

My general feeling on vendors is about 90% of them like to talk a lot about how awesome they are but then reality is different and worse.

I can’t think of many that have stood the test of time.

Although Lang’s S54 crank repair service is actually a great deal with good results from what I’ve seen. But I use a shop in Wichita which deals with the aerospace industry. They charge $400 more but never had an issue.

In fact the Wichita area has a couple of really good machine shops. Houston? I’d barely trust them to drill a hole in something.

[Slideways]

My general feeling on vendors is about 90% of them like to talk a lot about how awesome they are but then reality is different and worse.

I can’t think of many that have stood the test of time.

Although Lang’s S54 crank repair service is actually a great deal with good results from what I’ve seen. But I use a shop in Wichita which deals with the aerospace industry. They charge $400 more but never had an issue.

In fact the Wichita area has a couple of really good machine shops. Houston? I’d barely trust them to drill a hole in something.

In regards to repairing the S54 crankshaft, I recently saw this video where they are saying that the S54 crank can be ground down to a certain point and still keeps its hardness - starts at 24:11 and turn on CC

[01SG]

This really blows. It's because Lang failed to properly seat that little retaining clip? How do you screw that up? Agreed with above that you should maybe consult a lawyer. This seems like pretty basic negligence if that is the cause. Not sure how the modifications will come into play, but it doesn't seem like they have anything to do with this. That it happened within so few miles is very important to stress.

Then again, having moved to KC, you have to determine if it's even worth the hassle and costs to fly to go fight him in court in California.

[bigjae46]

In regards to repairing the S54 crankshaft, I recently saw this video where they are saying that the S54 crank can be ground down to a certain point and still keeps its hardness - starts at 24:11 and turn on CC

Its .0025 and then it needs to be rehardened. A machine shop tested it.

I spun the Vehicle Discussion rod bearing and was able to grind it for oversized bearings. It lasted about 12k miles and then the Vehicle Discussion rod exited stage left. I had the machine shop check out the damaged crank to see if it could be saved. They told me that I probably would have been fine if I had heat treated the crank when I had it turned the first time. They quoted me $1300 for a reweld, grind, polish and heat treat. At that time, a new BMW crank was $1500. I found a 120k mile S54 for $2500 from manifold to manifold with flywheel, clutch and accessories.

Then Lang bought my crank (IIRC - $300 or something?).

[Slideways]

Update: After several exchanges back and forth, Lang is not going to honor any sort of warranty for part or labor. He is claiming that because aftermarket parts were installed, regardless of mileage, that no warranty applies. This is after reiterating that he was the only person to work on the head. Since I am no longer local and he can inspect it himself that he can't verify this the failure was a result of workmanship and not a failed part. Should have seen this coming. I'm beyond furious and at a loss on what to do from here.

I think it is pretty clear what happened just based on the pictures. The S54 valve train is a pretty simple design. The stock spring clips and stock follower shafts which retain the followers don't just fail on their own. Either someone didn't fully install the spring clip and the follower fell off the top of the valve after 500 miles (most likely), or the spring clip was bent/damaged from a previous valve adjustment and they did not catch that during the cylinder head rebuild.

They offer Supertech and Schrick parts on their website, so I am not sure why they are blaming the aftermarket parts. At a minimum, they should contact Supertech and Schrick and offer some sort of replacement for the parts if that is what they believe failed.

[bigjae46]

This really blows. It's because Lang failed to properly seat that little retaining clip? How do you screw that up? Agreed with above that you should maybe consult a lawyer. This seems like pretty basic negligence if that is the cause. Not sure how the modifications will come into play, but it doesn't seem like they have anything to do with this. That it happened within so few miles is very important to stress.

Then again, having moved to KC, you have to determine if it's even worth the hassle and costs to fly to go fight him in court in California.

Would be awesome if you could sue Lang in Kansas and make is ass fly there. Would be worth it just to piss him off.

[01SG]

Would be awesome if you could sue Lang in Kansas and make is ass fly there. Would be worth it just to piss him off.

OP would have to prove the damages were in excess of $75,000, and then he could sue under diversity jurisdiction in the federal court in Kansas-if OP actually changed citizenship to Kansas permanently and isn't merely residing there. Short of that, he's off to Cali, which may or may not be worth it. I don't know how much it costs to fix this problem.

[bigjae46]

OP would have to prove the damages were in excess of $75,000, and then he could sue under diversity jurisdiction in the federal court in Kansas-if OP actually changed citizenship to Kansas permanently and isn't merely residing there. Short of that, he's off to Cali, which may or may not be worth it. I don't know how much it costs to fix this problem.

You're starting to sound like a lawyer...lol

If you're in the military then you can might be able to find a free lawyer through vet programs. I'd check there first.