Strange Engine noise

[x Spades x]

No compendation with thicker shim will work.
The harden layer on lobe and rocker are gone. Need replaced.

Any idea how this could have happened?

[Anri]

Now I can see the ridges near the edges of the EX lobe. The lobe has worn down too much.
You have professional sharp eyes.

OP, with this much worn and clearance, why the measured gap is only 0.3mm? I would say more than 0.6mm now.

Sapote,



What else do you see in pic #1 ?



Regards,
Anri

[sapote]

Sapote,



What else do you see in pic #1 ?



Regards,
Anri

some oil in the #6 plug hole which is unsual as the top opening is above the VC. Loose spark plug? I remember one of the plug hole has an aluminum plug to seal off the tooling hole but not sure if it's in 6 or 3.
The #6 EX inner valve spring has the red rusted color which is not match with the other springs color.

[x Spades x]

Sapote,



What else do you see in pic #1 ?



Regards,
Anri

Do tell!

[BMWfanz]

Seems like camshaft has serious wear

[bmwfnatic]

I don't know much about that, in fact I would like to know if these are OEM rockers that are DLC coated or if Shrick actually manufactures these.

If there are no companies that make rockers now or in the future that would be a shame as it would seem the supply is running thin and will be gone soon

Schrick never made any rocker arms. They were selling the cheaper 320si N45 engine rocker arms, BMW part number 11337549034, which is now NLA.

The standard S54 rocker arms, BMW part number 11337833259 are available just fine, BMW Germany has over 12000 of them in stock, 12 thousand yes, so these will not run out anytime soon.

The only aftermarket offering of rocker arms that I am aware of is Cat Cams, those that come in their bridge kit look different to the BMW ones and are likely manufactured in-house.

To OP, just “feel” every rocker with your finger, you don’t need to see one, after you have felt a few good ones, it is super obvious which one is bad.

[bmwfnatic]

Sapote,



What else do you see in pic #1 ?



Regards,
Anri

Valve springs upside down.

[Anri]

Valve springs upside down.

Bravo !



Regards,
Anri

[bmwfnatic]

Bravo !

I have seen this too many times now lol, even if the paint is gone you can see it by the coil, but people just don't care.

[x Spades x]

Valve springs upside down.

Wait, WHAT?

A shop put that on... is this what caused the wear???

[sapote]

Wait, WHAT?

A shop put that on... is this what caused the wear???

These springs normally have the smaller opening at the paint code end, but they should be inspected -- not just rely on the paint -- and assembled with the larger opening end to valve keeper. Incorrect assembled can cause spring being compressed more, causing higher load on the cam lobe, leading faster wear on rocker and lobe.

[x Spades x]

These springs normally have the smaller opening at the paint code end, but they should be inspected -- not just rely on the paint -- and assembled with the larger opening end to valve keeper. Incorrect assembled can cause spring being compressed more, causing higher load on the cam lobe, leading faster wear on rocker and lobe.

so I just went to the shop and he's saying you uses a press and it doesnt matter if the spring is upside down. This doesn't change the spring rate and the cam load is the same.

I didn't argue with him as I told him Im going to bring him the head.

Looks like he's standing firm on "I'm not the cause of this".

I gotta build a case for when I bring it back on Monday. So now I'm writing to you guys (my legal team), for a rock solid argument.

[bmwfnatic]

so I just went to the shop and he's saying you uses a press and it doesnt matter if the spring is upside down. This doesn't change the spring rate and the cam load is the same.

I didn't argue with him as I told him Im going to bring him the head.

Looks like he's standing firm on "I'm not the cause of this".

I gotta build a case for when I bring it back on Monday. So now I'm writing to you guys (my legal team), for a rock solid argument.

For reference

[x Spades x]

For reference

Hes saying he can fix the cam lobe, is this possible? Obviously he's trying to get out of paying me for a new one.

[bmwfnatic]

Hes saying he can fix the cam lobe, is this possible? Obviously he's trying to get out of paying me for a new one.

I am by no means an expert engine builder, just messed around with these cars for long enough to learn a thing or 2, I would say no, material is missing and you can't really add any back to it, especially not with the required hardness for a camshaft...
Realistically you will need a set of cams and rockers, as expensive as it might be.

Then also use a high ZDDP break-in oil after swapping in the cams and rockers, this is imporant but often skipped I feel like, they need to wear into eachother!