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      04-21-2013, 07:51 PM   #1
3002 tii
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Known Issues for N52 Motor?

When I did my plugs around 50k, I noticed a small amount of oil but didn't think much of it. After having done my 60k oil change a few days ago, I noticed a small amount of oil on the undertray so I'm starting to think my 07 is not immune to the leaks associated with the e9x n52. I'd like to a compile a list of common known leaks for this motor and the associated DIY's but please let me know if I've left anything out.

Remember always check realoem using your VIN to verify the right p/n. Some of the DIY's below are specific to that make/model/year (ie pre-07 uses aluminum bolts for valve cover gaskets, 07+ does not).

1) Oil filter housing gasket
2006 330i
2006 325i
2006 325i
2006 530i
2006 325i Coolant Change

2) Valve cover gasket & broken aluminum bolts
2007 X3
2006 325i
2006 530i

General thread discussing the issue

Also, depending on whether you have the magnesium or plastic valve cover will determine where your leaks are coming from. Early model N52 (up to 10/06) had magnesium covers with aluminum (one-time use only) bolts which have a tendency to break or crack; 2007+ had plastic covers with steel bolts.

3) Eccentric Shaft Sensor (Should replace #2 at same time) - symptoms include long cranks, poor mileage
2007 328i

4) Water Pump & T-stat
2006 325i
2007 530xi
2006 330i

A poll I created for e9x n52 owners reporting their experience with Water Pump and Thermostat failure

5) Tensioner, Pulley and Belts
2006 325i
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      04-23-2013, 11:07 AM   #2
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72,000+ miles and no leaks yet.

No oil in the plug wells when I changed them last year at around 62K.

Been through belt tensioners with the N52 on both my car and my wife's E90 328xi though.

Come to think of it, no oil leaks on the wife's car either, though it's not kept quite as clean as mine
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      04-23-2013, 11:50 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karacticus View Post
72,000+ miles and no leaks yet.

No oil in the plug wells when I changed them last year at around 62K.

Been through belt tensioners with the N52 on both my car and my wife's E90 328xi though.

Come to think of it, no oil leaks on the wife's car either, though it's not kept quite as clean as mine
When'd you change the belts? Did you hear some squealing?
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      04-23-2013, 12:09 PM   #4
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Just did the belt and tensioner on the 328xi. Was making a ticking type noise that wasn't valves.

Tensioner was worn and getting out of alignment, making noise and starting some wear on the belt edge.

Went through exactly the same thing on the Z4 last year.
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      04-23-2013, 12:11 PM   #5
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the n52 belt tensioner is also known for issues.
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      04-23-2013, 01:00 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v3.2mc View Post
the n52 belt tensioner is also known for issues.
I'm certainly two for two!
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      04-23-2013, 01:19 PM   #7
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Thanks, I'm at 60k now so I wonder if I should just do it now as preventive knowing its only matter of time or actually wait till I notice something off
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      04-23-2013, 02:03 PM   #8
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I'd just keep an eye on the belt condition and an ear out for noise. It doesn't appear to go off real fast.
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      04-23-2013, 02:43 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DSC_OFF View Post
When I did my plugs around 50k, I noticed a small amount of oil but didn't think much of it. After having done my 60k oil change a few days ago, I noticed a small amount of oil on the undertray so I'm starting to think my 07 is not immune to the leaks associated with the e9x n52. I'd like to a compile a list of common known leaks for this motor and the associated DIY's but please let me know if I've left anything out

1) Oil filter housing gasket
2006 330i
2006 325i
2006 325i
2006 530i

2) Valve cover gasket & broken aluminum bolts
2007 X3
2006 325i
2006 530i

General thread discussing the issue
Did you see any appreciative wear on the plugs you pulled ? Also , did you change from OEM to something else ?
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      04-23-2013, 04:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted Six View Post
Did you see any appreciative wear on the plugs you pulled ? Also , did you change from OEM to something else ?
I didn't see any real wear on the plugs when I pulled them-- just looked previously installed, not new.

Replacement was mostly just based on preferring to pull them at 60,000 when it should be easy, rather than waiting for later when it might not be. Was easy with the right spark plug socket (long, magnetic, from Sears), though I recall skinning a knuckly or two pulling the coils.

I replaced them with plugs from BavAuto, which I believe were one of the alternate OEM plugs.

Put the new plugs in with a little (aircooled, aircraft engine) spark plug anti-sieze I've still got. Expect them to come out easy again in another 50K.
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      04-23-2013, 05:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted Six View Post
Did you see any appreciative wear on the plugs you pulled ? Also , did you change from OEM to something else ?
No wear but did it more because I'm an@l when it comes to maintenance. I think I either went with OEM or OEM equivalent, like NGK Iridium's...
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      04-23-2013, 05:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v3.2mc View Post
the n52 belt tensioner is also known for issues.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karacticus View Post
I'd just keep an eye on the belt condition and an ear out for noise. It doesn't appear to go off real fast.

Looking at realeom based on the last 7 of my 3.0si coupe, for some reason it doesn't show the p/n for the idler pulley (part number 3)

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...40&hg=11&fg=18

I'm assuming I need to replace the mechanical belt tensioner & torx screws (#1), serpentine v-belts (#2), and idler pulley (#3 not listed)
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      04-23-2013, 07:08 PM   #13
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1 and 5 are all that you should really need. unless the belt has cracks in it, I wouldn't waste the money. it's been a while since I've been under the hood of a z4 equipped with the n52, but if memory serves there isn't an idler... and honestly, if it's not making noise, don't replace it. keep in mind that the bolt is aluminum and will be torque-to-yield.

the tensioner however: I find it interesting that when I got one for my wife's 3'er, the "on hand" quantity the dealer printed on the invoice was 12. I would think that if a small dealer in DSM is stocking that many, it's likely a common problem.
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      04-23-2013, 07:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v3.2mc View Post
1 and 5 are all that you should really need. unless the belt has cracks in it, I wouldn't waste the money. it's been a while since I've been under the hood of a z4 equipped with the n52, but if memory serves there isn't an idler... and honestly, if it's not making noise, don't replace it. keep in mind that the bolt is aluminum and will be torque-to-yield.

the tensioner however: I find it interesting that when I got one for my wife's 3'er, the "on hand" quantity the dealer printed on the invoice was 12. I would think that if a small dealer in DSM is stocking that many, it's likely a common problem.
I figure I'd replace the belt since the scheduled maintenance calls for it at 80,000 so may as well? Torque to yield check, 180* further.
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      04-23-2013, 08:35 PM   #15
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Yikes, you guys are a lot more serious about preventive maintenance than I am. Other than engine oil every 7500 (and wear items like brake pads and shocks) on the Z4 Coupe I've done spark plugs and diff and tranny oil at 100K and that's pretty much it. Seems to be doing fine at 105K, but who knows if I'm on borrowed time...
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      04-23-2013, 08:46 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vachss View Post
Yikes, you guys are a lot more serious about preventive maintenance than I am. Other than engine oil every 7500 (and wear items like brake pads and shocks) on the Z4 Coupe I've done spark plugs and diff and tranny oil at 100K and that's pretty much it. Seems to be doing fine at 105K, but who knows if I'm on borrowed time...
sadly, the tensioner was not maintenance on the wife's 3'er.

all cars are different though, regardless of whether or not the parts have the same numbers on them.
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      04-23-2013, 09:37 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by vachss View Post
Yikes, you guys are a lot more serious about preventive maintenance than I am. Other than engine oil every 7500 (and wear items like brake pads and shocks) on the Z4 Coupe I've done spark plugs and diff and tranny oil at 100K and that's pretty much it. Seems to be doing fine at 105K, but who knows if I'm on borrowed time...
Honestly I wouldn't normally stress it so much but my biggest fear is finding out my water pump takes a crap or something of that nature and I'm stuck at the track, 200 miles from home.
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      04-24-2013, 03:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karacticus View Post
72,000+ miles and no leaks yet.

No oil in the plug wells when I changed them last year at around 62K.

Been through belt tensioners with the N52 on both my car and my wife's E90 328xi though.

Come to think of it, no oil leaks on the wife's car either, though it's not kept quite as clean as mine
*off topic*

Nice lift! Any info on that? How tall is your garage ceiling? Do you have it bolted down into the concrete?
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      04-24-2013, 05:51 PM   #19
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It's an Atlas 8000 lb extended height lift, purchased through Greg Smith Equipment Sales. Includes bridge jacks to get the wheels in the air.

Ceiling in the garage is 10 1/2 feet, and with the four post lift, bolting it to the floor is not required.

There's a couple more pictures in this forum post here

and here's a photo of it during a wheels off detail session on the bridge jacks.
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