Official Loose Camshaft Bolt Survey Thread

[JunkStory]

I have setup a poll, please respond!!!

Looking to purchase a Z4M Coupe in a month or so. I have my eyes on some lower mileage ones from either 06 or 07. I realize that this car is relatively reliable, with the exception of a couple of known problems. One of the biggest problems I notice recently is that the camshaft bolts would come loose, damaging the engine as they enter the crankcase. Symptoms of the occurence would be loud rattling noises and a loss of power.

From my research I notice that mainly TWO people have had this issue on their Z4M, namely shitbrownMcoupe and AtoB.

There are a few instances of this problem happening to E46 M3's.

Truthfully, two reported instances of this problem on the Z4M forum seems like good odds. They seem to suggest isolated cases.

There are a few unofficial claims on the interweb suggesting that the newer S54 engines come with "revised" bolts to prevent the bolts from becoming loose. Some suggest that the newer bolts from BMW are coated with Loctite to prevent the bolts from becoming loose. Personally I don't find these claims credible as these claims were not verified.

However, a search on realoem.com suggests that the production of the camshaft bolts for the s54 has ended. This seems to be the case for all Z4M. This may suggest that rumors of revised camshaft bolts being available
may be true.

Anyway, would want to hear as many feedbacks as possible.

Thanks!

[Boulder z4m]

None. I have under 5,000 miles.

Todd

[dekaliber]

This seems to be a pretty limited problem -- the engine mount bolts are much more prevalent.

[mousitch]

Good poll question

[JunkStory]

This seems to be a limited problem on the Z4M, compared to the M3! Even on the M3 it seems relatively rare considering the AMOUNT of M3's out there.

MrVanos.com seems to attempt to relate the loose/shearing camshaft bolts issue with the vanos failure. Maybe this is a marketing attempt to sell more vanos parts using fear tactics. I have failed to see the two problems related, other than the fact that both problems create similar rattling noises upon occurences.

I am not one bit concerned about engine mount bolt issues. The bolts are extremely cheap and easy to replace. Enthusiasts obtain higher strength nuts and bolts (for a few bucks) from local fastening shops to replace the stock units. I have done this before on a couple of other cars with similar problems.

Thanks people keep the polls going!!!!!!!

[Hoa]

im at 19,250 and no problem yet. i do notice the idle being a little rough once in a blue moon. seems like it misfire for a fraction of a sec. took it to bmw and they claimed nothing is wrong...

[Serious]

Originally Posted by JunkStory

This seems to be a limited problem on the Z4M, compared to the M3! Even on the M3 it seems relatively rare considering the AMOUNT of M3's out there.

MrVanos.com seems to attempt to relate the loose/shearing camshaft bolts issue with the vanos failure. Maybe this is a marketing attempt to sell more vanos parts using fear tactics. I have failed to see the two problems related, other than the fact that both problems create similar rattling noises upon occurences.

I am not one bit concerned about engine mount bolt issues. The bolts are extremely cheap and easy to replace. Enthusiasts obtain higher strength nuts and bolts (for a few bucks) from local fastening shops to replace the stock units. I have done this before on a couple of other cars with similar problems.

Thanks people keep the polls going!!!!!!!

They aren't that easy to replace.

[inTgr8r]

I think build date might be more important than mileage.

See AtoB's thread on his repair.
They updated the type of bolts used.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...34#post7428834

Also SBC's car with the cam bolt issue is an early build '06
& he has very low mileage

[JunkStory]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I think build date might be more important than mileage.

It would be great if members could participate in the poll and post their build dates!

[Z4Murder]

22k miles, 12/06 build, no issue

[inTgr8r]

16k miles 7/07 build; no issues.

[DanMcoupe]

32.5k miles, 5/06,no issues.

[Serious]

This just popped up on m3forum.

Not too big of a deal to me at the moment since I have a CPO car but for everyone else here is the DIY for replacing the bolts.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...=1#post4759598

[inTgr8r]

Thanks for the link.
So it looks like a bolt supplier issue 2004 -06

It sure would be nice to nail down the production dates on this.

[mousitch]

04/06 build date.
25000 miles

I do have some ticking but I attribute that to the injectors and headers. Freaked out and would love to replace the bolts but if I screw up the timing.....Ugh

I bet there is a serial number on the engine that would give us build dates.

Just got quoted $1200(rough estimate) for camshaft bolt replacement. Service guy said this is a common problem when he worked at BMW and he says BMW should have a recall. Said as long as you have the right tools it should not be an issue. $1200 for piece of mind? Ugh again.

[mousitch]

The more I think about it the more anxiety I get. Seriously thinking of selling and getting an 07.

So it looks like the solution to my anxiety is to pull the valve cover and check for play in the cam pulley. If it's tight so be it, if it's loose I'll put it back together and take her to a indy shop local. Cost to pull and replace valve cover(myself, if I don't break a bolt) $95.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by mousitch

The more I think about it the more anxiety I get. Seriously thinking of selling and getting an 07.

So it looks like the solution to my anxiety is to pull the valve cover and check for play in the cam pulley. If it's tight so be it, if it's loose I'll put it back together and take her to a indy shop local. Cost to pull and replace valve cover(myself, if I don't break a bolt) $95.

I hear you. But (thinking out loud) the thing about these types of failures are that they show up at higher mileage. We know they changed out the bolts on this part at some point in the 06 MY.

With the 06 Z4Ms (and "sister" 04-06 M3s) we may be at point where all of the bugs have been shaken out (so we know what to look for, how to dx, how to take preventative measures).

But what we don't know is whether other components on the 07 and 08 MYs were switched as well due to supply chain changes, "improved" design, lack of supply, etc. You'd think with an engine towards the end of its life-cycle they wouldn't do that, but then again who knows? These cars typically have fewer miles, so there may yet be bugs to be shaken out that could be just as nasty as this one.

My point is that there may be similar issues of the same severity we have yet to find in the 07s and 08s. So, getting out of your 06 and into an 07 doesn't necessarily mean being out of the woods.

I like the "check it myself" plan for 95 bucks. If there's an issue, it's worth getting it fixed (even at 1,300 counting your initial dx costs), as a swap to an 07 is going to cost $$$ as well.

Not sure if that reasoning makes sense?

[Vertigo//SD]

47K miles, 10/06, no issues.

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

I hear you. But (thinking out loud) the thing about these types of failures are that they show up at higher mileage. We know they changed out the bolts on this part at some point in the 06 MY.

With the 06 Z4Ms (and "sister" 04-06 M3s) we may be at point where all of the bugs have been shaken out (so we know what to look for, how to dx, how to take preventative measures).

But what we don't know is whether other components on the 07 and 08 MYs were switched as well due to supply chain changes, "improved" design, lack of supply, etc. You'd think with an engine towards the end of its life-cycle they wouldn't do that, but then again who knows? These cars typically have fewer miles, so there may yet be bugs to be shaken out that could be just as nasty as this one.

My point is that there may be similar issues of the same severity we have yet to find in the 07s and 08s. So, getting out of your 06 and into an 07 doesn't necessarily mean being out of the woods.

I like the "check it myself" plan for 95 bucks. If there's an issue, it's worth getting it fixed (even at 1,300 counting your initial dx costs), as a swap to an 07 is going to cost $$$ as well.

Not sure if that reasoning makes sense?

Makes total sense. Going through with the DX in a couple of weeks. Found the valve gasket for $38. Don't think there is anything else critical to replace.

[Z4MHawk]

14,000 miles 07/06. No problem...yet!

[Hughbert]

29,700 miles - 2/06 build. No problems, knock on wood.

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by JunkStory

I have setup a poll, please respond!!!

Looking to purchase a Z4M Coupe in a month or so. I have my eyes on some lower mileage ones from either 06 or 07. I realize that this car is relatively reliable, with the exception of a couple of known problems. One of the biggest problems I notice recently is that the camshaft bolts would come loose, damaging the engine as they enter the crankcase. Symptoms of the occurence would be loud rattling noises and a loss of power.

From my research I notice that mainly TWO people have had this issue on their Z4M, namely shitbrownMcoupe and AtoB.

There are a few instances of this problem happening to E46 M3's.

Truthfully, two reported instances of this problem on the Z4M forum seems like good odds. They seem to suggest isolated cases.

There are a few unofficial claims on the interweb suggesting that the newer S54 engines come with "revised" bolts to prevent the bolts from becoming loose. Some suggest that the newer bolts from BMW are coated with Loctite to prevent the bolts from becoming loose. Personally I don't find these claims credible as these claims were not verified.

However, a search on realoem.com suggests that the production of the camshaft bolts for the s54 has ended. This seems to be the case for all Z4M. This may suggest that rumors of revised camshaft bolts being available
may be true.

Anyway, would want to hear as many feedbacks as possible.

Thanks!

Production Date: 11/17/2006

No problems

13.3K miles