Valve Adjustment Tool Kit available for rent

[beta]

There's lots of DIYs posted all over the place, especially because the DIY for the e46 M3 is exactly the same.

I do plan on taking lots of pictures when I do the exhaust hub, and I'll be doing valve adjustment.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by papitosabe

anyone willing to do a video DIY on this to help others out on this? you'll get tons of karma point

No need, there's plenty of DIYs, particularly in the E46 M3 forums. There's even a pretty good video on YouTube done by some European independent shop, just try searching. The good thing is that our cars have even better access and are slightly easier to do.

I would also ask around to see if anyone you know or might go to the same car meets that you do has done it themselves on either their Z4 M or their E46 M3 that would be willing to help you. I found a fellow BMW CCA member with an E46 M3 that not only had done it himself, but he had the shim kit, all the specialty tools, and offered to help me! We spent about 4-5 hours one afternoon, I bought him lunch and gave him a case of his favorite brew. He was happy to do it, said that he enjoyed it, and it was a lot of fun. I ordered new shims to replace the ones that we used from his kit and kept the old ones that I had to replace. Nothing like the satisfaction of doing it yourself!

I would add that I would never do it the first time without having the full shim kit available. It would be a pain in the ass to measure all 24 valves, order the shims that you need, wait for them to arrive, and then go back and try and figure out again where you had to put the new shims. If you made a mistake you'd have to wait again while you ordered the correct shims. Stating the obvious, you'd also have to have alternative transportation while you're waiting for the shims to arrive. Better to do it all at once.

Once you've done it and have the sheet where you've recorded the clearance for all the valves and the size of the shims you've replaced and the size of the shims you've replaced them with you could buy a couple of dozen shims in the size range similar to the ones you've already used, although you could end up needing one you don't have. Always better to have the full shim kit.

[mjger]

Seems like a solid deal. I'll likely be renting it from you in the near future.

[jdoublehcubed]

My two favorite DIYs on the inspection:
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=113415
http://www.euroaddiction.net/forum/m...djustment.html

This thread is also very helpful:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...lve+inspection

Mostly posting these here so I don't lose the links.

[E92M3Pilot]

jdoublehcubed guided me through for my valves adjustment and Vanos filter change over the weekend in his driveway. He is very knowledgable about the process, thanks for those DYI intructions as well. It was my first time, and it took about 4-5 hrs with cigar breaks. Thanks for the tools and guidance.

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by E92M3Pilot

...and it took about 4-5 hrs with cigar breaks.

The key to a successful valve adjustment

Always nice to meet a fellow M enthusiast, E92M3Pilot, and got to drive a coupe for the first time . Some very nice mods to add to my wanted list as well.

I owe you a part number for those nordlock washers for the engine bay stiffeners.

What was that cell phone holder you had? I've never seen that before.

[E92M3Pilot]

I got cellphone holder from Amazon, it was like $16. The suction mounted on pretty well.

iOttie Easy Flex2 Windshield Dashboard Car Mount Holder Desk Stand for iPhone 5 4S 4

[jdoublehcubed]

Thanks

[beta]

I'm going to post a DIY to my mod thread when I get a chance. It's a really straight forward process. You just have to be very meticulous.

[papitosabe]

would y'all say one has to be pretty or somewhat knowledgeable?? I'm a complete newb....although I do change my own oil

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by papitosabe

would y'all say one has to be pretty or somewhat knowledgeable?? I'm a complete newb....although I do change my own oil

Dunno if you have to be knowledgeable, but you definitely have to be pretty, which is why my ugly ass hasn't even attempted it.

[beta]

I posted the begining of a DIY on my mod thread. I ran out of time so I'll have to finish it later.

[yousefnjr]

Is this shim kit still available to rent? I need to do this soon

[jdoublehcubed]

I just ordered replacement shims to top off the kit, I should have them next week, and it will be ready to go again.

As far as whether or not someone can handle the job, just read through the two DIYs I posted above. These cover 99% of the job, if you can handle following the DIY, you can handle the job.

You get to skip the first 10-15 steps that show the removal of the cabin air filter, wiper tray, etc. For our cars, none of that stuff is in the way, you remove the strut brace and you have full clearance. In the DIYs above, just jump to the step where they take off the black engine cover.

[jdoublehcubed]

Topped off and ready to go

[kcdedric]

John, thanks again for renting out your kit!

I just DIY'ed my valve adjustment thanks to the resources available on this forum. To anyone who has to do their Inspection soon, don't be weary! There are plenty of videos and guides out there and John's kit has everything you need.

[jdoublehcubed]

just topped off the kit, ready to go!

[CFoote]

Thank you for doing this, it's really helpful. I will be needing to do this adjustment at some point and I'm grateful you offer this to help all of us out!

[jdoublehcubed]

No problem! I get a ton of value out of the great diy write ups on here, I'm glad to help.

If anyone has successfully collected all of the tools for the vanos bolt replacement, that would be a nice kit to have available, too.

[elerner61]

So I looked at the DIY, so what keeps the shim in place? And using the magnetic wand to remove/place? Hope my hand doesn't shake too much when doing it!

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by elerner61

So I looked at the DIY, so what keeps the shim in place? And using the magnetic wand to remove/place? Hope my hand doesn't shake too much when doing it!

It's been a while since I did mine, but don't worry about the shims being kept in place. The cam lobes hold them in place and there's only a few millimeters clearance. They're not going anywhere! The magnetic wand is invaluable in removing the shims and placing the shims into the correct position.

I had a buddy help me who had done his E46 M3 and he had a shim kit. We both dropped a shim or two, but as long as you use lots of rags or paper towels to plug any open holes, you don't have to worry about losing any shims into the engine.

[StickMon]

^WHS
Line the bottom of the head with paper towels, and stuff some around the timing chain.
Just remember to take them out. Don't ask how I know.
The shims are held in place by the rocker arms. If you want to remove a shim, you first remove the "spreader" clip that holds the rocker arms under the cams.
Then slide the rocker arm out from between the shim and cam.
Plenty of space then to pluck the shim with the magnetic tool.