Blackstone / Rod Bearings

mziggy16 · 07-10-2018, 06:24 PM

Just got my first Blackstone report back today. I bought the car in March with 127k on the clock. This is the car's first Blackstone report, so we just have a single point in time here.

The report is obviously good, but here's the rub: the car is currently at the shop and rod bearings are on the list (also have a broken vanos tab) and want to "bullet proof" an otherwise well-cared for car.

What are thoughts on proactively doing the rod bearings given this report?

The HACK · 07-10-2018, 06:42 PM

Thoughts? CAN’T HURT. Especially if the car is in for some serious work.

My mechanic’s advice to me? Since my UOA lead is at zero, is to just continue to drive it like I stole it, and once the lead level starts to climb, preventatively swap out for treated bearing. He said there’s no point doing it now since the engine seems to run strong and healthy.

But his last words? It happens to EVERYONE. Some day, I’m going to need it.

But not today.

StickMon · 07-10-2018, 06:58 PM

^WHS
127k is where my lead went vertical.
If you have the money, and trust the shop, I would say go for it.

Shawkinguk · 07-10-2018, 07:09 PM

Report looks good - congrats

Coincidentally i just got my report today as well
i have half your miles - 70,000
But it is a heavily tracked car
Track day #17 coming up this season

From my report it appears Lead, Iron and Copper are the metals they look at to determine rod bearing wear

Very interesting to be able to compare the two reports

racerbruce · 07-10-2018, 07:22 PM

My first Blackstone report was a few months ago at 65K miles. My report was equally as good, so another sample will occur Mar 2019 to assess if the positive trend continues.

My thoughts: Wait until the next sample results before taking a next step.

Azeka1 · 07-10-2018, 10:24 PM

You're on borrowed time with regards to this service. As others have mentioned, miles vary and mine were done at 60K with significant wear. If you have the means and want the car to be 'Bullet Proof', my opinion is to just get it over with.

mziggy16 · 07-11-2018, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the feedback!

Rod bearings are going to get replaced along with the vanos and a few other wear items. Can't wait to get the car back and rip around without worrying about anything breaking.

elerner61 · 07-11-2018, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mziggy16

Thanks for the feedback!

Rod bearings are going to get replaced along with the vanos and a few other wear items. Can't wait to get the car back and rip around without worrying about anything breaking.

And that's the bottom line: without having to worry. Everyone pays, may as well get it out of the way.

Lucky1 · 07-14-2018, 07:48 AM

Whats the average going cost to do rod bearings and vanos?

Patrick Gent · 08-06-2018, 05:13 PM

The way I learned (from reading lots of forums) is monitor lead, and when you start seeing copper it has worn through the lead and time to change them. On the other hand, my independent shop, which I trust implicitly, says replace them prophylactically every 60,000 miles.

I have learned that my lead went way down when I started letting the car partially warm up before I leave the driveway (daily driver) and keep the rpms low getting out of the neighborhood. 127,000 miles so far, no copper, lead around 4-5 ppm on 5,000 mile oil changes.

mziggy16 · 08-06-2018, 09:20 PM

To close the loop on this one, I ended up having the work done. The factory rod bearings were still in pretty good shape, but obviously that was impossible to know without getting in there. I'm glad it's done.

XMetal · 08-06-2018, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Gent

The way I learned (from reading lots of forums) is monitor lead, and when you start seeing copper it has worn through the lead and time to change them.

This isn't always true. My results showed no increased copper, but yet several bearings were already into copper. Look at the picture below and you will also see copper, but OP's copper readings were very low.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mziggy16

To close the loop on this one, I ended up having the work done. The factory rod bearings were still in pretty good shape, but obviously that was impossible to know without getting in there. I'm glad it's done.

Not too bad for 128K, but #2 are just about done. Good call getting these replaced - thanks for posting your results!

KevinM · 08-06-2018, 11:16 PM

Good call on getting them done at 127K miles without knowing the full history of the car - the peace of mind itself is worth it!

KevinM · 08-06-2018, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Gent

The way I learned (from reading lots of forums) is monitor lead, and when you start seeing copper it has worn through the lead and time to change them. On the other hand, my independent shop, which I trust implicitly, says replace them prophylactically every 60,000 miles.

I have learned that my lead went way down when I started letting the car partially warm up before I leave the driveway (daily driver) and keep the rpms low getting out of the neighborhood. 127,000 miles so far, no copper, lead around 4-5 ppm on 5,000 mile oil changes.

The lead levels on my Blackstone reports seem to vary, and lately have been decreasing. However, I do think I'll replace the bearings at 60K miles. Since I'm only at 34K miles after 11 years, it will be a while yet.

07-10-2018, 06:42 PM	#2
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1820 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Thoughts? CAN’T HURT. Especially if the car is in for some serious work. My mechanic’s advice to me? Since my UOA lead is at zero, is to just continue to drive it like I stole it, and once the lead level starts to climb, preventatively swap out for treated bearing. He said there’s no point doing it now since the engine seems to run strong and healthy. But his last words? It happens to EVERYONE. Some day, I’m going to need it. But not today. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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07-10-2018, 06:58 PM	#3
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	^WHS 127k is where my lead went vertical. If you have the money, and trust the shop, I would say go for it. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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07-10-2018, 07:22 PM	#5
racerbruce Brigadier General 3852 Rep 3,004 Posts Drives: 21 X3 & 13 335is E93 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	Thoughts - My first Blackstone report was a few months ago at 65K miles. My report was equally as good, so another sample will occur Mar 2019 to assess if the positive trend continues. My thoughts: Wait until the next sample results before taking a next step. __________________ Racerbruce
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07-10-2018, 10:24 PM	#6
Azeka1 Lieutenant 286 Rep 431 Posts Drives: E86 M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 1995 BMW M3 IP Race ... [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4M Coupe [8.00]	You're on borrowed time with regards to this service. As others have mentioned, miles vary and mine were done at 60K with significant wear. If you have the means and want the car to be 'Bullet Proof', my opinion is to just get it over with. __________________ 1995 E36 M3 \| BMW CCA Club Racer - IP #34 \| Gray / Blue / Orange \| 261WHP \| 2,700lbs 2013 E92 M3 Competition 6MT Slick Top \| AW / Fox Red \| 2006 E86 M Coupe \| Silver Gray / Imola \| JRZ RSTWO \| APR Aero \| Sparco Seats/Belts \| Weichers Cage Gone: 2017 Audi Q7 \| 2011 E93 328i 6MT \| 2014 Audi A6 \| 2010 VW CC 2.0T \| 2011 G37 S Coupe 6MT \| 2004 G35 Coupe \| SW20 MR2 Widebody Turbo
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07-11-2018, 11:08 AM	#7
mziggy16 Private First Class 31 Rep 135 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '01 911 C4 Cabriolet Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the feedback! Rod bearings are going to get replaced along with the vanos and a few other wear items. Can't wait to get the car back and rip around without worrying about anything breaking. __________________ CURRENT: '07 Z4 M Coupe /// ‘01 911 C4 Cab SOLD: '06 330i / '07 335i / '07 X5 4.8 / '13 335i
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07-14-2018, 07:48 AM	#9
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Whats the average going cost to do rod bearings and vanos?
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08-06-2018, 05:13 PM	#10
Patrick Gent Private 11 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	The way I learned (from reading lots of forums) is monitor lead, and when you start seeing copper it has worn through the lead and time to change them. On the other hand, my independent shop, which I trust implicitly, says replace them prophylactically every 60,000 miles. I have learned that my lead went way down when I started letting the car partially warm up before I leave the driveway (daily driver) and keep the rpms low getting out of the neighborhood. 127,000 miles so far, no copper, lead around 4-5 ppm on 5,000 mile oil changes.
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08-06-2018, 09:20 PM	#11
mziggy16 Private First Class 31 Rep 135 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '01 911 C4 Cabriolet Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (1)	To close the loop on this one, I ended up having the work done. The factory rod bearings were still in pretty good shape, but obviously that was impossible to know without getting in there. I'm glad it's done. Attached Images __________________ CURRENT: '07 Z4 M Coupe /// ‘01 911 C4 Cab SOLD: '06 330i / '07 335i / '07 X5 4.8 / '13 335i
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08-06-2018, 11:16 PM	#13
KevinM Brigadier General 2936 Rep 3,285 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.38] 2002 E39 M5 [9.00]	Good call on getting them done at 127K miles without knowing the full history of the car - the peace of mind itself is worth it! __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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