No More Smoke

dmckmc · 05-30-2023, 10:34 AM

It's been a week of cold starts and many miles since the valve stem seals were replaced and I'm happy to state that my N54 No Longer Smokes, none! Car is 2008 with 135 thousand miles. The job is not small and I ended up replacing the steel cam seals and intake cam shell/bearing housing while I was there. The exhaust valve seals were particularly worn, hardened and some were crumbling. The intake cam shell was severely grooved and I opted to replace it even though the car had no symptoms or problems related to vanos.

Special tools required were a cam lock/timing set, valve spring removal set and a torque wrench with degree function. I'd be curious if anyone successfully used the Lisle, hammer style valve keeper remover instead of the lever style spring compressor set I used.

I made my wife a custom necklace from the old seals and cam rings...she was not impressed.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 05-30-2023, 10:43 AM

Nice work!

I did camshaft intake bearing ledge tray job. I did use the special C type clamps though to make sure the tray was aligned together when bolting it back. Seems you didn't use those C type tools and that was my biggest hurdle (rented it from someone on the forum at the time, it is so expensive on its own) . I guess yours is all good? I know I'll have to do the job again at one point on the exhaust side and would like to avoid those tools.

dmckmc · 05-30-2023, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Nice work!

I did camshaft intake bearing ledge tray job. I did use the special C type clamps though to make sure the tray was aligned together when bolting it back. Seems you didn't use those C type tools and that was my biggest hurdle (rented it from someone on the forum at the time, it is so expensive on its own) . I guess yours is all good? I know I'll have to do the job again at one point on the exhaust side and would like to avoid those tools.

I did not use any clamps for the cam shell when installing. I trusted the dowel pins and hand tightened until all was touching. I used these two youtube vids for help, neither used the special clamps.

PranK · 03-27-2024, 10:27 PM

Nice work!

You gonna pop those necklaces on Etsy? I got a 20 year anniversary coming up.

05-30-2023, 10:34 AM	#1
dmckmc Private 41 Rep 67 Posts Drives: BMW 535i E60 (2008) Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	No More Smoke - Valve Stem Seals! It's been a week of cold starts and many miles since the valve stem seals were replaced and I'm happy to state that my N54 No Longer Smokes, none! Car is 2008 with 135 thousand miles. The job is not small and I ended up replacing the steel cam seals and intake cam shell/bearing housing while I was there. The exhaust valve seals were particularly worn, hardened and some were crumbling. The intake cam shell was severely grooved and I opted to replace it even though the car had no symptoms or problems related to vanos. Special tools required were a cam lock/timing set, valve spring removal set and a torque wrench with degree function. I'd be curious if anyone successfully used the Lisle, hammer style valve keeper remover instead of the lever style spring compressor set I used. I made my wife a custom necklace from the old seals and cam rings...she was not impressed. Attached Images
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05-30-2023, 10:43 AM	#2
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2657 Rep 6,290 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Nice work! I did camshaft intake bearing ledge tray job. I did use the special C type clamps though to make sure the tray was aligned together when bolting it back. Seems you didn't use those C type tools and that was my biggest hurdle (rented it from someone on the forum at the time, it is so expensive on its own) . I guess yours is all good? I know I'll have to do the job again at one point on the exhaust side and would like to avoid those tools.
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03-27-2024, 10:27 PM	#4
PranK Private 16 Rep 93 Posts Drives: E90 330i, E90 335i, E70 X5 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Nice work! You gonna pop those necklaces on Etsy? I got a 20 year anniversary coming up.
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