E46 M3 S54 Pump Nut

[RobLeeM3]

Hello everybody!

I just purchased my first BMW last night. I have been a very big S-Chassis guy my whole life, but it is time to move onto a new platform. I have tried to do as much research as possible, but I cannot seem to get a direct answer, so I am hoping somebody can help!

Does the S54 oil pump nut still need to be either welded/wired on for preventative measures?

After looking at forum posts, it seems the oil pump nut backing off is not a very common issue on the S54, and more so common on the M54 engines.

Pic of the new to me M3.

[Tbonem3]

No, that's E36.

[sapote]

I don't know if it's common issue for E46 M3, but some reported that this happened for E46 non-M ; however it has not happen to my E46 non-M and M cars. I think it depends on how quickly one rev the engine.

[BeardedRyno828]

Reviving this since I'm doing research before I put my S54 back together. It seems to not be a real issue on the S54 but there may have been a few cases? The internet seems very vague on this topic which leads me to believe it's not really an issue. I was thinking about drilling two small holes in the oil pump gear so that I could safety wire the nut for insurance, better safe than sorry.

[Obioban]

Non issue on the s54. You're more likely to make things worse than better changing things here.

[cobra]

No issue, but I did red loctite mine when I had it off.

[0-60motorsports]

No issue, but I did red loctite mine when I had it off.

This is a better solution I feel.

[Chanman1029]

Clean threads good and use loctite, call it a night.

[Syfon]

Nope. Doesn't need to be welded or wired. I put red loctite on mine.

[bigjae46]

It's an issue on the M52 and M54. The M54 has much more of an issue due to the higher redline AND the aluminum block. The long crank in an all aluminum block creates a harmonic issue with vibrates the pump nut off.

If you put your M3 on track, I HIGHLY recommend at a minimum applying red loctite and/or safety wiring the pump nut. If you spin, forget to get the clutch pedal to the floor then you'll spin the motor backwards and the pump nut will come off.

[Obioban]

It's an issue on the M52 and M54. The M54 has much more of an issue due to the higher redline AND the aluminum block. The long crank in an all aluminum block creates a harmonic issue with vibrates the pump nut off.

If you put your M3 on track, I HIGHLY recommend at a minimum applying red loctite and/or safety wiring the pump nut. If you spin, forget to get the clutch pedal to the floor then you'll spin the motor backwards and the pump nut will come off.

Can you show any example of this occurring?

[sapote]

spin the motor backwards

You meant the crank turning CCW viewed from crank pulley? This may cause the chain to jump over sprockets too as the tensioner could collapse.

[bigjae46]

Can you show any example of this occurring?

Occurred quite often with M5X/S5X engines when you'd see more on track. Spin off track, car stalls, get it fired up and go back to paddock. Next session the red oil light comes on. Far more common with S52s and M54s. I know of one S54 that lost an oil pump nut at the first BMWCCA COTA event. It does happen.

I have my oil pump nut safety wired. First...why not? Second...it's cheap insurance. Third, takes 15 minutes to do. Finally, why not? Although I can certainly argue against the VAC crap and welding the nut on.

[Cubieman]

Occurred quite often with M5X/S5X engines when you'd see more on track. Spin off track, car stalls, get it fired up and go back to paddock. Next session the red oil light comes on. Far more common with S52s and M54s. I know of one S54 that lost an oil pump nut at the first BMWCCA COTA event. It does happen.

I have my oil pump nut safety wired. First...why not? Second...it's cheap insurance. Third, takes 15 minutes to do. Finally, why not? Although I can certainly argue against the VAC crap and welding the nut on.

Out of curiosity, what do you affix the safety wire to after it's looped through the nut when doing the oil pump nut?

[r4dr]

Out of curiosity, what do you affix the safety wire to after it's looped through the nut when doing the oil pump nut?