Zzyzx85's '03 High Mileage Daily Driver

[tlow98]

Awesome build! Loving the high mileage machine that’s getting real use.

Where did you get the replacement hoses for the ICV? I looked for bmw parts, but they don’t seem to be available. I’m assuming any PCV or vacuum line is likely fine given it’s the right size? Thanks!

[zzyzx85]

Thanks!

I bought the hose pieces from Turner/ECS. I suppose that as long as they're the right size, PCV hose will work.

[zzyzx85]

I took this video of a short, quick pull a while back but I think it's worth posting it here.

https://youtube.com/shorts/v62tU_oP7N4

[zzyzx85]

Inching closer to 280k.

Recently did an oil change. I think there's about 7500 miles on it, including a track day.

Sent off a sample to Blackstone so I'm curious to see how it is.

[zzyzx85]

I got my UOA back from Blackstone the other day. It reads kind of scary but their interpretation is accurate on how I'm driving the car harder nowadays. Not sure where the brass/copper is from (valve guides?) But I think the iron is from the camshaft wear I noticed.

[Xmetal]

I don't know...with low lead count and high copper and trending higher iron, it may be time for a rod bearing job? You may have already gone through the lead layer (thus low lead count) and working past the copper layer (high copper count) and even into the steel shell (high iron count)? When was the last rod bearing changed? That would be my conclusion.

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah copper is usually attributed to rod bearings. Doesn't really mean much without a clear trend though.

[zzyzx85]

I don't know...with low lead count and high copper and trending higher iron, it may be time for a rod bearing job? You may have already gone through the lead layer (thus low lead count) and working past the copper layer (high copper count) and even into the steel shell (high iron count)? When was the last rod bearing changed? That would be my conclusion.

Rod bearings were changed out about 80k miles ago at around 200k.

Yeah copper is usually attributed to rod bearings. Doesn't really mean much without a clear trend though.

I'm leaning towards looking for a trend before I make any moves. The weird thing was there was always copper in the oil samples I've given. The first sample was after I bought the car. The second sample was after I changed out the rod bearings.

[zzyzx85]

Just before Christmas, I sent the (presumed OE) first set of injectors out to RC Fuel Injection for cleaning and flow testing. Got back from vacation to find the package of freshly cleaned and flow tested injectors waiting for me like a late Christmas present.

I was also waiting to see how bad the injectors were lol.

Seeing that injector 4 was nearly 100cc lower than spec, I wasn't disappointed lol. That was amazing. I'm betting these were the OE that came with the car, so about ~260k miles on them.

[zzyzx85]

Oh yeah, forgot I had these too

Bought them during the Black Friday sale, while waiting in the Madrid airport for our flight back from Spain. I jokingly asked if I could pick them up on the way (they were actually a 5.5 hours drive away from Madrid).

[zzyzx85]

Finally installed the (pricey) badge on the engine cover.



I'm leaning towards leaving off the Karbonius cf strut brace as the 3 piece OE brace is much more convenient for working under the hood.

I've been thinking of either cleaning/dressing up the current bar or buying a fresh new one.

[Tbonem3]

My least favorite part of having an aftermarket strut brace. Will have to remove it just to apply the bmw motorsport decal, myself.

[zzyzx85]

Seeing the pitting and wear, and the tapping, maybe it's time to change out my cams and followers. Pretty sure a follower went flat after my last track day.

[EthanolTurbo]

Seeing the pitting and wear, and the tapping, maybe it's time to change out my cams and followers. Pretty sure a follower went flat after my last track day.

Yeah it's time. I just changed mine at 239k miles and one of the followers was flat as hell. No more tapping now.

[zzyzx85]

Going to do a valve adjustment just to see if it makes a difference. It's been a while so maybe i'll give that a shot before I go in to camshaft surgery.

Picked up a new Interstate H7 AGM battery. I got tired of having to jump the car every Monday morning. i think the extreme heat and cold in the high desert ruins batteries. I got just over 2 years out of the current battery.