M Service History advice

[Machine monkey]

Out of interest beedub do VF advise harmonic damper upgrades or crank bearing services due to the blower? Just straight six engines and s54's especial struggle with harmonic issues. And obviously your putting more stress through the crank to drive the blower???

This is interesting, what are the harmonic dampers?

They can be quite complex or simply a rubber ring of the correct density. On the m54 they fall in to the rubber ring category. They degrade and where out over time like all rubber parts. And it can lead to some big problems with unwanted vibrations transited through the crank.

[TomK]

Still missing the point, it's got nothing to do with how often they are changed, but the fact you are doing it. Once you start tinkering with shims then a service stamp is pretty worthless going forward.

I think I'm missing your point?
Are you suggesting that because he checks him shims over and above the service schedule that any services which check them also are null and void? If so, for what possible reason?
It's like suggesting putting an additional oill service on the car voids any stamps. Nonsense surely? To check the shims is not some particularly difficult job, it just takes time. I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of it.

[tomscott]

My INSII was done at 46k but again like others needed doing 2-3k further down the line but had it done early for similar reasons to above.

[Z4M-2006]

For what its worth i dont think you can throw too much attention at an S54....

Checking the clearances often is a good indicator of any impending wear on the cams and followers..


Byron had his clearances done and still had to rectify a problem by himself,so i can understand his way of working.


Nothing is guarenteed unless you have witnesses the clearances being done with your own eyes.Its super easy to concoct a piece of paper with readings scribbled down.

Ny Z4Mc had an insp 1 at a main dealer up in Cumbria 6k before i bought it,the cam cover had a weep as they hadnt replaced it during the "supposed" valve check....
I replaced the cam cover but decided to check the clearances as it was only an extra 40 mins....found 3 out of spec..

[Beedub]

Still missing the point, it's got nothing to do with how often they are changed, but the fact you are doing it. Once you start tinkering with shims then a service stamp is pretty worthless going forward.

I think I'm missing your point?
Are you suggesting that because he checks him shims over and above the service schedule that any services which check them also are null and void? If so, for what possible reason?
It's like suggesting putting an additional oill service on the car voids any stamps. Nonsense surely? To check the shims is not some particularly difficult job, it just takes time. I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of it.

woaaa thought i was loosing my mind... Glad other see it this way..

Hutch.... you do it your way and ill do mine. i totally disagree with you... this car is getting no younger... ill keep over servicing as long as possible and the over service bits will always be done my myself... The by the book every 2 years stuff is done by an indie as i want the stamps... if i have a potential buyer thats put off by me doing it that way then s**t.... he's probably not really interested in the car.
i would guess I'm one of the very few on here that follow the 2 year schedule as per the book time based as opposed to mileage, the s54 is not your average run of the mill motor and has some issues... anything done above and beyond is a major plus and to still keep it at an indie for the book stamps shows what type of owner a potential buyer is dealing with.

[Beedub]

For what its worth i dont think you can throw too much attention at an S54....

Checking the clearances often is a good indicator of any impending wear on the cams and followers..


Byron had his clearances done and still had to rectify a problem by himself,so i can understand his way of working.


Nothing is guarenteed unless you have witnesses the clearances being done with your own eyes.Its super easy to concoct a piece of paper with readings scribbled down.

Ny Z4Mc had an insp 1 at a main dealer up in Cumbria 6k before i bought it,the cam cover had a weep as they hadnt replaced it during the "supposed" valve check....
I replaced the cam cover but decided to check the clearances as it was only an extra 40 mins....found 3 out of spec..

this pretty much ends the conversation for me. With my experiences i trust no-one, but still want the book to be stamped up correctly.... i make my own checks in between to keep a really detailed eye on things... i call it cheap insurance, and actually i enjoy it so its no hardship. Especially once i realise how easy the VC are to do!! Redish didn't change valve gaskets or anything that was needed i a bid to get that headline price down which i dont and didnt agree with. Way to many of these dealers and indies are cutting corners, even the most respected ones. i Trust no-one.

how anyone finds my way of working laughable is beyond me.

[tomscott]

For what its worth i dont think you can throw too much attention at an S54....

Checking the clearances often is a good indicator of any impending wear on the cams and followers..


Byron had his clearances done and still had to rectify a problem by himself,so i can understand his way of working.


Nothing is guarenteed unless you have witnesses the clearances being done with your own eyes.Its super easy to concoct a piece of paper with readings scribbled down.

Ny Z4Mc had an insp 1 at a main dealer up in Cumbria 6k before i bought it,the cam cover had a weep as they hadnt replaced it during the "supposed" valve check....
I replaced the cam cover but decided to check the clearances as it was only an extra 40 mins....found 3 out of spec..

Bet that was Lloyds worst dealer on this earth.

[Z4M-2006]

Yes Tom,

I think it was Lloyds actually..

Didn't realise they was bad

[Beedub]

Out of interest beedub do VF advise harmonic damper upgrades or crank bearing services due to the blower? Just straight six engines and s54's especial struggle with harmonic issues. And obviously your putting more stress through the crank to drive the blower???

This is interesting, what are the harmonic dampers?

They can be quite complex or simply a rubber ring of the correct density. On the m54 they fall in to the rubber ring category. They degrade and where out over time like all rubber parts. And it can lead to some big problems with unwanted vibrations transited through the crank.

they do deteriorate and need replacing. ATI do a very nice liquid filled unit but they dont work with the s/c pullies i believe. These are imperative for engine life and longevity and often overlooked!

[Machine monkey]

Out of interest beedub do VF advise harmonic damper upgrades or crank bearing services due to the blower? Just straight six engines and s54's especial struggle with harmonic issues. And obviously your putting more stress through the crank to drive the blower???

This is interesting, what are the harmonic dampers?

They can be quite complex or simply a rubber ring of the correct density. On the m54 they fall in to the rubber ring category. They degrade and where out over time like all rubber parts. And it can lead to some big problems with unwanted vibrations transited through the crank.

There is a company near me that make uprated dampers for a lot of TVRs they do a product for bmws too. I will look there name up and post a link. But your right very over looked component in my opinion. I can't help but think some of the bearing isues with the s54 maybe related. And especial with yours and all charged cars.

[original guvnor]

Still missing the point, it's got nothing to do with how often they are changed, but the fact you are doing it. Once you start tinkering with shims then a service stamp is pretty worthless going forward.

I think I'm missing your point?
Are you suggesting that because he checks him shims over and above the service schedule that any services which check them also are null and void? If so, for what possible reason?
It's like suggesting putting an additional oill service on the car voids any stamps. Nonsense surely? To check the shims is not some particularly difficult job, it just takes time. I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of it.

This ^^^^

[mr wilks]

Still missing the point, it's got nothing to do with how often they are changed, but the fact you are doing it. Once you start tinkering with shims then a service stamp is pretty worthless going forward.

I think I'm missing your point?
Are you suggesting that because he checks him shims over and above the service schedule that any services which check them also are null and void? If so, for what possible reason?
It's like suggesting putting an additional oill service on the car voids any stamps. Nonsense surely? To check the shims is not some particularly difficult job, it just takes time. I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of it.

This ^^^^

Guess this is another issue that will divide forum opinion ( which is fine that is after all why we are here ) but whatever the gifted spannermen of the forum have you believe on the ease of these tasks i for one wouldn't fancy buying what is a highly strung & pricey second hand motor that had been DIYd any more than id buy a house that had a DIY fitted kitchen , windows or doors all of which i could spot from 5/6feet & a cars internals are a totally different prospect as they aren't visible
Interim oil changes & brake pads aside many of the other tasks like valve clearances or major suspension refreshes imo should be carried out by trained professionals with proper tooling , that's just my own opinion whether right or wrong
So much is written on the forum about history of vehicles with so much credence given to it & that to my mind should be from trained tech's from either main dealers or decent independents
I wonder whether those keen to get involved with the spanners would buy a car a few owners down the line that at some point had been heavily self serviced if they had no way of knowing who the person was or if he was competent

[original guvnor]

Beedub was having the major services carried out by a reputable specialist though. That's why his and SRHutch's situations were different because SRH was going to do ALL work himself.

I see your point but it depends on what work is being done and the extent to which it is being self-serviced. There's probably a lot of our cars that have had some aspect of the serviceable items carried out by the owner - whether that's brake fluid change, brake pads/discs, oil and filter changes etc.

On Beedub's car whoever buys it off him in the future will be going into it eyes wide open anyway because it is heavily modified away from standard anyway. So you knid of know what you're letting yourself in for.

[srhutch]

Beedub was having the major services carried out by a reputable specialist though. That's why his and SRHutch's situations were different because SRH was going to do ALL work himself.

I see your point but it depends on what work is being done and the extent to which it is being self-serviced. There's probably a lot of our cars that have had some aspect of the serviceable items carried out by the owner - whether that's brake fluid change, brake pads/discs, oil and filter changes etc.

On Beedub's car whoever buys it off him in the future will be going into it eyes wide open anyway because it is heavily modified away from standard anyway. So you knid of know what you're letting yourself in for.

This is the problem with servicing all round. We all will happily change brake pads and discs etc, and they are not recorded as service items in the history. It's only really the engine and drive train that is. Strange when brakes could be argued to me more important the an engine in keeping you safe.

So the question is, if anybody went to buy say a standard ///M where the owner had been doing shim checks himself and replacing if required every oil service at say 13K, but getting a garage to do the inspection services. How would you compare the service history then to a car where the owner had done everything himself for a few years?

[mickl]

Ok, rather than start a new thread as this one is similar to the question I was going to ask anyway...

Can I have thoughts/comments on a SH that reads like this please:

15/5/16 Running-in 1490 miles

19/11/08 Oil Service 14236 miles

19/08/09 Insp I 24183 miles

08/03/12 Oil Service 37569 miles

17/5/14 Insp I 44163 miles

08/04/16 Oil/Insp I 45318 miles

(currently on about 45700 miles)


Many thanks in advance

I think the running in service was a few year late!"!"