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Thread: 2006 BMW 325i e90 Valve Seal Replacement

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
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    Germany
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    2006 BMW 325i

    2006 BMW 325i e90 Valve Seal Replacement

    Hello,

    My n52 engine is burning 1L per 600kms. It is smoking under acceleration. I've replaced the ccv/oil separator and this had not helped. Compression test shows all cylinders above 165psi which is normally and leaves the issue to point to the valve seals.

    I am mechanically inclined and am looking for a DIY tutorial to do the valve seals while the head is still on the car to save some time. I've searched everywhere and cannot find the procedure for doing it with the head on the car for the n52 e90. I know I can take the head off and get it fixed at a machine shop but would take a lot more time and money.

    Any DIY tutorial, list of tools, steps to take for my issue would be appreciated

    Thanks,

  2. #2
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    2001 525it
    It would be interesting to see what the crank case vacuum measurement is at

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Germany
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    2006 BMW 325i
    Quote Originally Posted by jclausen View Post
    It would be interesting to see what the crank case vacuum measurement is at
    Got a DIY on how to test it? And what the are the values that it should be?

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    E39M5, E500 4WD
    Crankcase vacuum should be 3-6 inches (umm, ~7.5 to 15 cm) of WATER , not mercury.

    Is there significant oil in your intake manifold? Did you replace the brittle plastic CCV pipes when you changed the oil separator?

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    2018 BMW M240i
    ace, how many miles in your typical trip? That is, do you drive the car primarily on short trips? I think you’d be better off doing more diagnosing before you start doing a major engine job such as valve seals. Btw, are there any oil leaking from the engine? How many miles on the clock?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
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    Germany
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    2006 BMW 325i
    There is no (or very little oil) in the intake. All plastic ccv pipes were replaced.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Typical trip are 5-25 kilometers, Half city half hwy. No oil leaks, car has 110,000kms.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
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    Germany
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    2006 BMW 325i
    Quote Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer View Post
    Crankcase vacuum should be 3-6 inches (umm, ~7.5 to 15 cm) of WATER , not mercury.
    How do you test crankcase vacuum?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Aberdeen, NC (yes, again)
    Posts
    23,672
    My Cars
    E39M5, E500 4WD
    Here's how to make a slack-tube manometer at home:
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...lacement/page8 (post #183)

    Here's the electronic manometer I now own:
    http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/ue...hoCTW4QAvD_BwE

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Germany
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    2006 BMW 325i
    Found my issue, its not the valve seals. I pulled the plugs, cylinder 3 spark plug was black and caked in burnt oil. This led me to believe the pistons oil/compression rings were stuck. So I put a two ounces mixture of half ATF and half fuel injector cleaner in the cylinder for 24 hours, turned the engine over at the crank a bit then added more and waited another 24 hours. I stuck an endoscope down there and you could see the carbon coming off the rings onto the cylinder walls. Started it up and it smoked for a good 30 minutes but all is good now. It doesn't even smoke at all now when at idle, or on acceleration like before. I think I got lucky. Thanks for the help.

    Edit - i was wrong! Will post more exploration below.
    Last edited by ace309; 12-10-2018 at 04:15 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Interesting solution. Some folks do the same thing with GM Top End Cleaner. The stuff is available on Amazon.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Germany
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    My Cars
    2006 BMW 325i
    Actually, after a few weeks of use. Car is still burning oil, same amount as before. About 1L per 500kms. No leaks and doesn't smoke as I can see. Looking into testing your vacuum method, already ordered a few items to try it out. Will update in a few weeks after christmas.

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