The shape of this model is and always has been one of my very favourite BMW shapes jointly (along with my gorgeous silver E30 323i 4 door that I had back in 1985) nice choice 🙏
Fantastic video Lewis, I've been waiting for this. Apologies for length of this comment, but it may help someone, it's an M54 tale. I've a 2003 325Ci M Sport, lovely car and condition, appears to have had a lot of love. It only does short trips nowadays, but was beginning to use worrying amounts of oil, possibly doing about 200 miles per litre. There was no blue smoke at any time, but one day it began to misfire badly. It had fouled up No.1 plug. I did a compression test and they were all over the place, so had to be a ring issue. I threw a new set of plugs in and had decided that I would have to look for another engine or rebuild mine sooner rather than later. Having researched the "piston soak" videos to death, I thought I'd give it a go, nothing really to lose. I did my own procedure, which involved leaving the chemical (Berrymans B12 Chemtool) a lot longer in the cylinders than many people were doing, and rotating the engine by hand many times during the process. I did this in June 2024, and it has not used a drop of oil since. I have covered about 1200 miles now. I run it on 5W40 fully synthetic, and have changed the oil and filter every year. I have to admit, I didn't expect this to work but it most definitely has.
What stroke of luck! Sounds like good stuff. It sure was guzzling the oil before wasn't it. Hopefully it keeps behaving for you now! Great story for all us M54 owners!
@@WhitelandRestorations Yep. Let's hope it lasts, but TBH it's not that hard or costly to do again if necessary. I really wasn't expecting it to work, but I have watched some pretty convincing videos so thought I'd give it a go. I'm assuming you've checked the rings and bore measurements on yours? Many fit the M52 oil control rings which appear to be a better design.
Looks like that bad luck was kinda of needed on this one Lewis ! That lump could have ended up on the scrap heap if you hadn’t fixed it now maybe ! that’ll go for years now bud 🤞super job 👍
Bearing shells normally have a coat of copper to help the white metal adhere, but now you might find it's not just pure copper. Hopefully the crank measured up on tolerance. If the main had no oil feed I'd expect the control it feeds to have picked up. Does that bilthamner cleaner smell?
Everything was within tolerance, we're very lucky with this one! The Bilt Hamber has a slightly soapy smell at full strength. Hardly anything. When it's watered down it doesn't smell at all!
Thank you, I've been looking for a cleaner that doesn't smell. As I've got older things like paraffin, diesel etc get tome, perhaps I've become sensitised.
I hate torquing steel bolts into what is effectively a soft aluminium thread, especially on motorcycle engines that may have some previous history. I prefer to fit studs wherever space allows (snugly but at low torque) and often also using thread lock then torque down correctly relying on the much stronger steel thread on the stud.
You found «Schmutz» in the engine? There are so many English words in the everyday German language and you are using the German word for «dirt»? That’s quite extraordinary and funny at the same time. If you need more German words for your bavarian sports car: don’t hesitate; I‘m happy to help! 😉🤡😉
I know a couple of dirty words in French (and couple of WW2 Arabic words that my late Great Uncle taught me) but not any German ones so bring them on Martin ! 😂🤣
Massive torque anxiety moment, no waffle. Glad a cup of tea calmed your nerves. Superb transformation video. Can't wait for the next.
She is going to be so fresh once she is all back together! Nice work guys!
Glad you had no problem torquing the head, I've seen some good cleaners but the Bilt Hamber is a serious bit of kit it's fantastic.👍🏼
There was a lot of holding of the breath during that sequence! The Bilt Hamber degreaser is hands down the best we've used!
@@WhitelandRestorations One hell of a lot I'd say and a lot of sweating as well.
Looking at the varnish in that engine, it had not been well looked after. Very wise idea to replace bearings when you did.
It has not had a pampered life! That has now all changed 😂
You've done the right thing rebuilding that engine; it's filthy! Certainly looks to have been run on a budget!
A massive amount of work but with in the end as it will live on for many years to come. Great work as always!
The shape of this model is and always has been one of my very favourite BMW shapes jointly (along with my gorgeous silver E30 323i 4 door that I had back in 1985) nice choice 🙏
Fantastic video Lewis, I've been waiting for this. Apologies for length of this comment, but it may help someone, it's an M54 tale. I've a 2003 325Ci M Sport, lovely car and condition, appears to have had a lot of love. It only does short trips nowadays, but was beginning to use worrying amounts of oil, possibly doing about 200 miles per litre. There was no blue smoke at any time, but one day it began to misfire badly. It had fouled up No.1 plug. I did a compression test and they were all over the place, so had to be a ring issue. I threw a new set of plugs in and had decided that I would have to look for another engine or rebuild mine sooner rather than later. Having researched the "piston soak" videos to death, I thought I'd give it a go, nothing really to lose. I did my own procedure, which involved leaving the chemical (Berrymans B12 Chemtool) a lot longer in the cylinders than many people were doing, and rotating the engine by hand many times during the process. I did this in June 2024, and it has not used a drop of oil since. I have covered about 1200 miles now. I run it on 5W40 fully synthetic, and have changed the oil and filter every year. I have to admit, I didn't expect this to work but it most definitely has.
What stroke of luck! Sounds like good stuff. It sure was guzzling the oil before wasn't it. Hopefully it keeps behaving for you now! Great story for all us M54 owners!
@@WhitelandRestorations Yep. Let's hope it lasts, but TBH it's not that hard or costly to do again if necessary. I really wasn't expecting it to work, but I have watched some pretty convincing videos so thought I'd give it a go. I'm assuming you've checked the rings and bore measurements on yours? Many fit the M52 oil control rings which appear to be a better design.
Brilliant upload and catch up on this beautiful car guys!
Another fantastic video has always guys 👍
Huzzah! Welcome back!
Thank you! 😁
Looks like that bad luck was kinda of needed on this one Lewis ! That lump could have ended up on the scrap heap if you hadn’t fixed it now maybe ! that’ll go for years now bud 🤞super job 👍
Bearing shells normally have a coat of copper to help the white metal adhere, but now you might find it's not just pure copper. Hopefully the crank measured up on tolerance. If the main had no oil feed I'd expect the control it feeds to have picked up. Does that bilthamner cleaner smell?
Everything was within tolerance, we're very lucky with this one! The Bilt Hamber has a slightly soapy smell at full strength. Hardly anything. When it's watered down it doesn't smell at all!
Thank you, I've been looking for a cleaner that doesn't smell. As I've got older things like paraffin, diesel etc get tome, perhaps I've become sensitised.
Nice work. What paint did you use on the aluminium?
We used silver high temperature caliper paint. Great colour, chemical resistant somewhat and easy to apply 👍
Is it a bird, is it a plane? No! It's Paintshop Repairman! 😋👍
It's super Lewis! 😂
👍👏👏🛠️👏👏👍
I hate torquing steel bolts into what is effectively a soft aluminium thread, especially on motorcycle engines that may have some previous history. I prefer to fit studs wherever space allows (snugly but at low torque) and often also using thread lock then torque down correctly relying on the much stronger steel thread on the stud.
Did you have to use water to clean it all off?
We used to use Paraffin 40years ago and a good blow-off with the air gun.
Looking absolutely mint, and now you have all the anxiety-busting confidence it's better than new. Classic Whiteland behaviour 👌
You found «Schmutz» in the engine? There are so many English words in the everyday German language and you are using the German word for «dirt»? That’s quite extraordinary and funny at the same time. If you need more German words for your bavarian sports car: don’t hesitate; I‘m happy to help! 😉🤡😉
I know a couple of dirty words in French (and couple of WW2 Arabic words that my late Great Uncle taught me) but not any German ones so bring them on Martin ! 😂🤣