4 VERY loose screw from the cam shaft looks to be the culprit...

AtoB · 05-28-2010, 02:31 PM

i got lucky... the bolts were loose and threads were stripped... they were close to falling out and causing some real damage. i should have her back tomorrow if all the parts arrive

... bolts, seals, as long as they have it apart they are replacing everything they can... phew.

mousitch · 05-28-2010, 02:51 PM

Oh Shit. ShitMBrown Coupe's problem. Great something else to freak out about. Sounds like we have some warning though with the sound.

AtoB · 05-28-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousitch

Oh Shit. ShitMBrown Coupe's problem. Great something else to freak out about. Sounds like we have some warning though with the sound.

yup.... sounds like it. i'll post the full report from the dealer when i get it tomorrow.

Erhan · 05-28-2010, 03:10 PM

@AtoB, is your MR 2006?

AtoB · 05-28-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erhanh

@AtoB, is your MR 2006?

yes.

wildag · 05-28-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtoB

i got lucky... the bolts were loose and threads were stripped... they were close to falling out and causing some real damage. i should have her back tomorrow if all the parts arrive

... bolts, seals, as long as they have it apart they are replacing everything they can... phew.

Can you ask for pictures of these screw locations? I'd like to get a record of examples for others to take to dealers. Especially sense warranties are starting to expire.

Blind32 · 05-28-2010, 08:06 PM

Wow good thing you were persistent and were able to catch it in time. Can you also ask the dealer or BMWNA what month/year range is afflicted?

AtoB · 05-28-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildag

Can you ask for pictures of these screw locations? I'd like to get a record of examples for others to take to dealers. Especially sense warranties are starting to expire.

look at the bottom of this thread... good pic, and explains it all.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=706206

inTgr8r · 05-28-2010, 09:41 PM

wow... glad you caught it in time.

DanMcoupe · 05-28-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

wow... glad you caught it in time.

+1,
Now I'm starting to worry on my 06 MC.

AWM3 · 05-29-2010, 06:34 AM

Unlike the engine mount bolt failures, which are unique to the Z4M, these VANOS/cam sprocket problems apparently affected all S54 engines. Since that covers a large number of units, I wonder if anyone associated with BMW service could estimate what percentage of engines had this problem.

chickdr · 05-29-2010, 07:47 AM

I thought they had updated the design of these bolts prior to 06? Maybe not such an effective update....

AtoB · 05-29-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

I thought they had updated the design of these bolts prior to 06? Maybe not such an effective update....

mine has a 09/06 build date i believe... so who knows

VinnieAces · 05-29-2010, 10:45 AM

ah man im gettin worried now bout my 06, glad u found and fixed ur problem tho!

Incompatible · 05-29-2010, 11:58 AM

For peace of mind. I've compared the parts diagrams between the n52 and s54 engines and they appear to be different designs. From the reading through the posts on this subject, it appears that only the s54 engines seem to have this problem?

jojodivo · 05-29-2010, 01:11 PM

maybe the issue here is that many of the S54 engines used in the Z4M's were manufactured well in advance of the build date of the car, leftovers from the M3/M3 CSLs. Just a thought as to why some might have updated bolts and some not

AtoB · 05-29-2010, 01:57 PM

SA just called... good news the noise is gone! bad news is i won't hav e the car for the long weekend. the CEL light came on. apparently the 'cam timing' is off, they said these engines are very sensitive and it can take a couple attempts to get it right. tuesday it is!

vicj · 05-29-2010, 02:17 PM

Seems to me that if this issue was happening a lot, there would be a Service Bulletin. Anyone know of one?

Z3Z4MC · 05-29-2010, 04:08 PM

Didn't read all the posts, but did they replace the loose screws with upgraded version (if any), or do they just install 4 new ones (same version)?

Z3Z4MC · 05-29-2010, 04:11 PM

Here is a TSB I found. I guess they need to update it now to include "loose screws":

June 2006
Technical Service

SI B 11 05 06
Engine

SUBJECT
S54 Harsh Metallic Noise from the VANOS Assembly

MODEL
E46 M3 and E46 M3 convertible - All production years with the S54 engine

E36 Z3 M Roadster and E36 Z3 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine

E85 Z4 M Roadster and E86 Z4 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine

SITUATION
A harsh metallic ringing, knocking noise is heard in the engine speed range of 2800 - 3300 rpm. This is only perceptible when the vehicle is stationary and at operating engine temperature.

CAUSE
This noise is due to the designed operating clearance between the gear hub and the rotor of the VANOS high-pressure pump.

This is a normal acoustic characteristic of this engine and the cause has no effect on the service life of the engine.

Therefore, there is no remedy for this noise and NO PARTS are to be changed.

WARRANTY
Information only.

O-cha · 05-29-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtoB

SA just called... good news the noise is gone! bad news is i won't hav e the car for the long weekend. the CEL light came on. apparently the 'cam timing' is off, they said these engines are very sensitive and it can take a couple attempts to get it right. tuesday it is!

Haha, there is not a dealer in the world that can time an s54, God forbid they are asked to do something that takes attention to detail!

It does not take a couple of times of putting the engine back together and having the ECU tell you it's mistimed, it MIGHT take a few times of setting it and manually cranking it over 1 revolution. Tech either didn't check it or checked it and decided it was "close enough".

Theres 2 other people here who have suffered the same idiocy from the dealer.

vicj · 05-29-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z3Z4MC

Here is a TSB I found. I guess they need to update it now to include "loose screws":

June 2006
Technical Service

SI B 11 05 06
Engine

SUBJECT
S54 Harsh Metallic Noise from the VANOS Assembly

MODEL
E46 M3 and E46 M3 convertible - All production years with the S54 engine

E36 Z3 M Roadster and E36 Z3 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine

E85 Z4 M Roadster and E86 Z4 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine

SITUATION
A harsh metallic ringing, knocking noise is heard in the engine speed range of 2800 - 3300 rpm. This is only perceptible when the vehicle is stationary and at operating engine temperature.

CAUSE
This noise is due to the designed operating clearance between the gear hub and the rotor of the VANOS high-pressure pump.

This is a normal acoustic characteristic of this engine and the cause has no effect on the service life of the engine.

Therefore, there is no remedy for this noise and NO PARTS are to be changed.

WARRANTY
Information only.

This TSB is for Vanos noise. This problem wasn't IN the Vanos, I thought...?

05-28-2010, 02:31 PM	#1
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	4 VERY loose screw from the cam shaft looks to be the culprit... i got lucky... the bolts were loose and threads were stripped... they were close to falling out and causing some real damage. i should have her back tomorrow if all the parts arrive... bolts, seals, as long as they have it apart they are replacing everything they can... phew.
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05-28-2010, 02:51 PM	#2
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Oh Shit. ShitMBrown Coupe's problem. Great something else to freak out about. Sounds like we have some warning though with the sound. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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05-28-2010, 03:10 PM	#4
Erhan Colonel 87 Rep 2,464 Posts Drives: Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	@AtoB, is your MR 2006?
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05-28-2010, 08:06 PM	#7
Blind32 Certified Adrenaline Junkie 43 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (2)	Wow good thing you were persistent and were able to catch it in time. Can you also ask the dealer or BMWNA what month/year range is afflicted?
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05-28-2010, 09:41 PM	#9
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	wow... glad you caught it in time. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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05-29-2010, 06:34 AM	#11
AWM3 BMW Fan 11 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3, Alpine White Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Georgia, USA iTrader: (0)	Unlike the engine mount bolt failures, which are unique to the Z4M, these VANOS/cam sprocket problems apparently affected all S54 engines. Since that covers a large number of units, I wonder if anyone associated with BMW service could estimate what percentage of engines had this problem.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2010, 07:47 AM	#12
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,991 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	I thought they had updated the design of these bolts prior to 06? Maybe not such an effective update....
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05-29-2010, 10:45 AM	#14
VinnieAces Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: Imola Red Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Can iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 Z4 M Coupe [8.00]	ah man im gettin worried now bout my 06, glad u found and fixed ur problem tho! __________________ ///M - Some Mods 'N Stuff
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05-29-2010, 11:58 AM	#15
Incompatible Major 55 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 07 AW Z4C 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	For peace of mind. I've compared the parts diagrams between the n52 and s54 engines and they appear to be different designs. From the reading through the posts on this subject, it appears that only the s54 engines seem to have this problem? __________________ If you can't take the time to teach a kid something good, someone will take the time to teach them something bad.
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05-29-2010, 01:11 PM	#16
jojodivo Private 3 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chapel Hill NC iTrader: (0)	maybe the issue here is that many of the S54 engines used in the Z4M's were manufactured well in advance of the build date of the car, leftovers from the M3/M3 CSLs. Just a thought as to why some might have updated bolts and some not
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2010, 01:57 PM	#17
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	SA just called... good news the noise is gone! bad news is i won't hav e the car for the long weekend. the CEL light came on. apparently the 'cam timing' is off, they said these engines are very sensitive and it can take a couple attempts to get it right. tuesday it is!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2010, 02:17 PM	#18
vicj First Lieutenant 10 Rep 316 Posts Drives: '06 M Roadster; 2010 Mini Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Seems to me that if this issue was happening a lot, there would be a Service Bulletin. Anyone know of one?
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05-29-2010, 04:08 PM	#19
Z3Z4MC Private 0 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Didn't read all the posts, but did they replace the loose screws with upgraded version (if any), or do they just install 4 new ones (same version)? __________________
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05-29-2010, 04:11 PM	#20
Z3Z4MC Private 0 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Here is a TSB I found. I guess they need to update it now to include "loose screws": June 2006 Technical Service SI B 11 05 06 Engine SUBJECT S54 Harsh Metallic Noise from the VANOS Assembly MODEL E46 M3 and E46 M3 convertible - All production years with the S54 engine E36 Z3 M Roadster and E36 Z3 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine E85 Z4 M Roadster and E86 Z4 M Coupe - All production years with the S54 engine SITUATION A harsh metallic ringing, knocking noise is heard in the engine speed range of 2800 - 3300 rpm. This is only perceptible when the vehicle is stationary and at operating engine temperature. CAUSE This noise is due to the designed operating clearance between the gear hub and the rotor of the VANOS high-pressure pump. This is a normal acoustic characteristic of this engine and the cause has no effect on the service life of the engine. Therefore, there is no remedy for this noise and NO PARTS are to be changed. WARRANTY Information only. __________________
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