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Thread: S52 Rod bearing replacement question???

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Fairfield California
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    3
    My Cars
    1997 e36 m3

    S52 Rod bearing replacement question???

    Hello everyone, this is my first post. I've had my e36 m3 for over a year now and the oil pan gasket is leaking. A buddy of mine and I will be tackling the job soon; however i have a question:

    Should I be changing the rod bearings while everything is out of the way? my s52 has 182k miles, bone stock.
    I ordered a z3 pick up tube, an achilles oil pan baffle and will be securing the OPN. I've gone through many posts and have seen different opinions.


    oil pressure is great, no knocking sounds. I daily drive my baby and will be occasionally taking it to the track with some friends (once or twice a year).

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Ottawa, ON, Canada
    Posts
    4,937
    My Cars
    e90 M3,X5,e46 racer
    Unless the engine has been abused (ie, ran out of oil), or you suspect an issue, I'd leave it alone. The s52 didn't have bearing issues, and all the tock engines I've taken apart, the bearings have always looked basically new, even at >200k
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Fairfield California
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    3
    My Cars
    1997 e36 m3
    Thank you for the response!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Dallas, TX
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    Z3M, X5M
    I'm currently addressing the OPN on my S52 Z3M. While the oil pan is out, I'll also be installing a baffle and replace the rod bearings. They're not known to have bearing problems but figured while it's accessible, might as well replace them. Hopefully they won't look bad when I pull them. Haven't had any low oil pressure issues. Though I've had the opposite of high oil pressure.
    180k, 6psi supercharger.
    -Phil

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
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    Fairfield California
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    1997 e36 m3
    Did you by any change pull them already? If so, how did they look?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Dallas, TX
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    Z3M, X5M
    Quote Originally Posted by Arcticmontie View Post
    Did you by any change pull them already? If so, how did they look?
    I replaced two of them before going on vacation. They look to be in good condition. Got the car with 75k miles...now at 185k. 7psi supercharger installed at 160k.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    -Phil

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    ithaca Ny
    Posts
    392
    My Cars
    95m3/97m345/powerstroke
    Send a oil sample to blackstone labs for analysis.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    3,323
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    Z3M, X5M
    Quote Originally Posted by Arcticmontie View Post
    Did you by any change pull them already? If so, how did they look?
    I replaced the rest of the bearings and #4 was the worst. Oil analysis haven't shown any excessive bearing wear.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    -Phil

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