XSeries-forum

Hi All

I have just bought a 4.6is 2003 did a compression test today and cyl's 5-6 have no pressure.
So the question is has any one done much on these I think its head gasket or valves as its an lpg model, I spoke with the last owner and he told me about the time he overheated the engine at 61k its done 68k now and I am unsure that has caused the problem.
However being lpg I wander if its killed some valves obviously the heads are coming off is this a job I can do as a half tidy mech has any one else done this work on there 4.6 any feed back would be useful, good parts supply or head referb

many thanks  ::)

I believe IanP on here rebuilt his himself I know you can hire the specialist tools to lock the cams and crank in place.
Mine has just been rebuilt due to Timing Chain tensioner/Oil pump failure the parts used are all OEM as it is being done under the Warranty I have on the car.
The list is very long Main Bearings, Big ends, small ends, Piston Rings, Timing chain, chain tensioner and guides, Oil pump, water pump (may as well) all the gaskets, bolts, hoses, breathers etc the parts bill is over £2k. The specialist who is doing the work estimated around 40 hrs without issues for striping the front off removing the engine stripping rebuilding and putting back. There have been a couple of delays with parts which frustrates but we are now in the engine running and being tested phase.
Certainly labour is the biggest part of the cost, a few years back I would have taken it on myself having rebuilt many engines in the past, but I am old and not as bendy as I once was and the Warranty covers 60% of the parts and all the labour.
For what its worth my first X5 ran LPG (and ran great) the guy who serviced it said BMW engines were great on LPG and gave no issues. So if the engine has been overheated (did he tell you why/what the cause was) I would guess head warped or gasket problems. If the heads are coming off change the timing chain followers and tensioner while your in there they are a known weak spot.

Good Luck with the rebuild

Thanks for that I have emailed IanP direct see if he can give any advise, I guessed 40hrs work to do job stripping it I can do its putting it back together is the nervous bit and where to get parts / tools to hire

many thanks

Just spoke with the lad who has rebuilt mine he works on BMW and Porsche he says it is straight forward the only bit you will need care on is the Vanos timing. He said there are a few tutorials on You Tube that are useful.

He said take your time and good luck

Thanks all

I am now looking at gasket kits is it correct oem are Renz or Eiring can any one point me in a good direction for genuine or good oem stuff please.

also I found this kit for timing on amazon it looks ok to me what you lot think.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camshaft-Vanos- ... 0750e2c13f

thanks all

Ian

That looks like the timing kit I hired, but the hire costs were the same as the buying cost now  >:(. I just bought the complete gasket kits from BMW, I couldn't seem to find pattern parts at the time although they did seem to be available in the USA (watch you don't get caught for tax if you buy from there). And be careful with the sealing rings on the camshaft when you put it back together. While you are doing this, whip the small sump plate off and check the oil pump suction strainer